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ALBANY  CHRONICLES 

A  HISTORY  OF   THE   CITY 
ARRANGED  CHRONOLOGICALLY 


FROM  THE  EARLIEST  SETTLEMENT  TO  THE 
PRESENT  TIME 

ILLUSTRATED   WITH   MANY   HISTORICAL    PICTURES 

OF    RARITY    AND    REPRODUCTIONS    OF    THE 

ROBERT  C.  PRUYN  COLLECTION  OF  THE 

MAYORS  OF  ALBANY,  OWNED  BY 

THE     ALBANY     INSTITUTE 

AND  HISTORICAL  AND 

ART    SOCIETY 


^ 


COMPILED    BY 

CUYLER        REYNOLDS 


ALBANY,   NEW  YORK 

J. 

B. 

LYON   COMPANY, 

I  906 

PRINTERS 

Copyrighted,  1906. 

CUYLER  REYNOLDS. 

Albany,  N.   Y. 


DEDICATED 

TO 


ALBANY'S    CHIEF    HISTORIAN 

In  grateful  appreciation  of  his  life-long,  painstaking  labors  in  the 
preservation  of  local  records. 


He  was  born  at  Northfield,  Mass.,  April  13,  1808,  and  died  at  No.  59 
Lodge  St.,  Albany,  on  Jan.  15,  1880.  Compiled  "Annals  of  Albany," 
"  Historical  Collections,"  etc.,  and  was  publishing  proprietor  of  the 
old  "Webster's  Calendar  or  The  Albany  Almanac"  from  1841  to 
the  time  of  his  death.  There  is  a  granite  stone  in  the  Albany  Rural 
Cemetery  to  show  the  passerby  where  his  body  now  rests  from  its 
labors  ;  but  he  has  left  an  imperishable  monument  among  those  he 
loved  and  strove  to  please,  enduring  for  their  children's  children. 


2031816 


This   is   No.S.-^6^A 


This  copy  printed  for. 


A' 


Prrfacf. 


The  history  of  Albany  may  be  described  as  one  of  age,  import- 
ance and  interest.  Upon  the  past  the  present  is  built,  the  future 
building.  Records  enable  individuals  and  aggregations  of  beings 
to  advance  and  improve,  through  studying  motives,  methods  and 
results,  and  were  the  people  without  a  means  of  transcribing  events, 
or  the  inclination  to  place  facts  upon  paper,  it  is  doubtful  whether 
nations  would  have  made  advancement  any  greater  than  that  of 
wild  tribes  of  the  uncivilized,  of  aborigines  who  have  made  no 
progress  in  a  thousand  years,  or  than  the  apes  of  the  forest,  it 
being  almost  solely  so  because  they  have  never  recorded  how  they 
acted  or  why,  and  received  no  knowledge  that  might  have  been 
handed  down  to  them  if  their  predecessors  had  recorded  happenings. 

In  its  boast  of  age  Albany  has  assuredly  the  opportunity  for  a 
larg'e,  comprehensive  and  exultant  history,  as  it  is  the  oldest 
chartered  city  existing  in  the  United  States.  In  point  of  discovery 
by  civilized  white  men  it  dates  back  to  1540,  when  the  French  fur- 
traders  built  their  stone  fort  here,  and  although  not  an  enduring 
settlement  then,  it  has  been  such  since  the  arrival  of  the  Dutch, 
or  Walloons,  in  Alay  of  1624.  As  a  city  it  has  existed  since  Gov- 
ernor Dongan  granted  it  a  Charter  on  July  22,  1686.  At  one  period 
it  was  the  metropolis  of  this  country,  and  ever  a  city  of  the  first 
importance. 

But  Albany's  boasting  of  a  remarkable  age  for  an  American  city 
might  not  define  it,  nevertheless,  as  a  place  of  importance  in  a 
world  history.  There  are,  however,  besides  this  fact,  two  fields  in 
which  it  stands  forth  prominently,  which  other  cities  must  take  into 
consideration  to  vie  with  it, — the  first  is  its  relation  to  the  nation's 
history;  the  second,  its  features  that  mark  great  steps  or  epochs  in 
the  world's  progress. 

It  was  from  the  start  one  of  the  few  places  on  the  Western  Hemi- 
sphere sought  by  Europeans  in  the  period  of  adventure  for  wealth, 
as  being  particularly  worthy  of  settlement  (1620-1630),  contempo- 
raneous with  the  other  American  landmarks, —  Jamestown,  Man- 
hattan, Plymouth  and  Quebec. 

It  was  the  scene  of  the  first  Congress  of  the  Colonies,  when 
delegates  convened  in  its  Stadt  Huis,  or  City  Hall,  on  June  19, 
1754,  to  form  a  unity  for  mutual  protection  against  a  common  foe, 
as  the  call  to  assemble  here  describes  it. 


V!  PREFACE. 

DORE    warfare's    BRUNT. 

Albany  was  the  scene  of  forceful  invasion  time  and  again  by  the 
French,  who  sought  to  possess  the  vast  territory  south  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  by  making  armed  raids  down  the  two  great  Adirondack 
lakes  and  the  Hudson  to  Albany,  as  the  first  and  chief  pomt  of 
attack,  there  being  few  other  places  at  the  time  so  worthy  of  con- 
quering. It  bore  the  brunt  of  the  Indians'  barbaric  battling,  being 
directly  in  their  path  and  considered  a  border  town,  and  valiantly 
held  the  hordes  of  savages  from  pushing  to  the  weaker  settlements 
east  and  south. 

When  it  became  the  great  question  of  American  Liberty,  of  the 
creation  and  then  maintaining  the  stand  of  a  new  Republic,  the 
British  made  Albany  their  objective  point  of  attack  throughout  the 
Revolution,  sending  armies  of  enormous  size  from  the  westward 
under  General  St.  Leger ;  from  the  south,  a  fleet  by  the  Hudson's 
course  under  General  Howe,  and  from  the  north,  8,000  men  coming 
from  Europe  by  way  of  Canada  under  General  Burgoyne, — all  con- 
verging upon  Albany, — and  when  General  Schuyler's  well-laid  plans 
and  exhortations  to  the  colonies  to  co-operate  had  brought  about 
the  latter's  surrender  at  Bemis  Heights  (Schuylerville,  N.  Y.)  on 
Oct.  17,  1777,  the  victory  for  American  Liberty  was  practically 
assured,  for  at  once  the  Crown  seriously  discussed  abandonment  of 
its  American  colonics  and  the  fight  was  afterwards  disheartening. 

events  marking  epochs. 

Its  epoch-marking  events  were  when  the  first  American  passenger 
train  was  operated  by  steam  between  Albany  and  Schenectady  in 
the  late  summer  of  183 1 ;  when  in  the  summer  of  1829,  Prof.  Joseph 
Henry  demonstrated  in  the  large  room  of  the  Albany  Academy  that 
his  theory  of  an  electric  telegraph  was  perfectly  practical  if  it  em- 
ployed his  wonderful  discovery  of  the  "  intensity  "  magnet,  and 
when  the  first  steamboat  to  ply  the  waters  of  this  hemisphere,  the 
Clermont,  made  its  famous  and  remarkably  successful  trip  between 
Albany  and  New  York  in  September  of  1807. 

Thus  we  perceive  students  of  great  events  mu!^t  turn  to  Albany 
for  records  of  the  first  steam  passenger  railroad,  ihe  first  steamboat, 
and  the  first  electric  telegraph.  Other  records  in  which  the  world 
bears  an  interest,  when  Albany's  name  is  given  place  in  encyclo- 
pedias, add  further  distinction  to  the  above.  Here  was  celebrated 
the  opening  of  the  Erie  Canal,  Nov.  2,  1825 ;  the  first  settlement  of 
Shakers  in  America  was  located  here,  and  its  citizens  have  originated 
ideas  of  practical  and  universal  importance,  such  as  the  issuance  of 
weather  forecasts  to  cities  throughout  the  country,  the  recording 
barometer.  Many  other  discoveries  and  inventions  have  they  added 
to  benefit  mankind. 


PREFACE.  Vn 

REASONS  FOR  THESE  RECORDS. 

Some  books  are  prepared  without  reason  and  fill  no  need  or 
demand.  This  one  started  with  a  demand  that  gave  reason  for 
its  being  written.  The  compiler  had  tabulated  the  answers  he  had 
freely  furnished  to  the  miscellaneous  queries  of  citizens  during  an 
experience  of  ten  years,  and  found  that  they  numbered  more  than 
one  thousand  replies  each  year.  A  repetition  of  certain  questions 
about  the  cit}-  showed  that  the  most  expedient  course  was  to  tabu- 
late various  facts  once  they  were  acquired  by  tedious  research.  The 
mass  of  material  grew,  was  at  the  disposal  of  but  one  person,  per- 
ishable in  their  form,  and  consequently,  held  in  private,  it  was  doing 
a  minimum  of  good,  whereas  publishing  would  bring  about  preser- 
vation of  hidden  civic  history  and  wide  service. 

It  was  also  found  that  many  persons  bothered  city  officials  and 
their  clerks,  by  seeking  to  obtain  information,  often  believing  that 
they  had  a  perfect  right  to  expect  a  clerk  to  lay  aside  the  work  of 
half  a  day  to  make  a  special  search  in  order  to  satisfy  somebody's 
curiosity.  While  the  seeker  for  facts  might  not  have  thought  it 
would  require  more  than  a  minute,  when  addressing  a  query  to  a 
department,  it  was  not  infrequent  that  a  query  would  require  more 
than  a  day's  time  devoted  to  turning  over  the  office  records.  Oc- 
casionally the  questions  had  an  important  business  bearing,  or  the 
prominence  of  the  questioner  would  be  of  sufficient  weight  to  decide 
in  favor  of  allowing"  the  matter  to  interfere  with  the  city's  work. 
If  the  clerk  gave  but  an  hour  each  day  to  sucli  concerns,  it  seriously 
interrupted  his  routine ;  on  the  other  hand,  if  he  refused,  it  boded 
ill-report  of  that  department,  which  was  judged  either  unobliging 
or  ignorant  of  matters  directly  in  its  line,  thougli  happening  fifty, 
a  hundred,  or  possibly  two  hundred  years  before.  To  this  effect 
was  the  message  brought  to  bear  on  the  compiler  when  appealed  to 
for  assistance.  He  was  practically  alleviating  the  superfluous  work 
of  city  departments  because  it  was  known  he  had  the  material  at 
his  command. 

SCOPE  OF   THE   WORK. 

It  was  the  original  intention  to  prepare  a  page  or  two  about 
each  Mayor,  when  a  publication  was  conceived,  to  include  statistics 
connected  with  the  office  and  the  man,  together  with  a  summary  of 
his  official  deeds,  such  as  would  show  for  what  acts  of  general 
public  interest  he  was  responsible  during  his  teriu.  These  acts 
included  the  erection  of  schools,  steamer  houses,  public  baths,  reser- 
voirs and  filter-plants,  viaducts,  opening  of  new  streets  and  mani- 
fold miscellaneous  civic  improvements.  The  records  were  searched 
for  these,  and  it  resulted  in  the  discovery  that  he  likewise  acted,  by 
virtue  of  his  office,  in  innumerable  matters,  as  u]Don  the  extending 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

of  the  public  welcome  or  freedom  of  the  city  to  notable  visitors, 
opening  of  several  conventions  each  year,  receiving-  delegations, 
laying  of  corner-stones,  dedication  of  buildings,  accepting  statues, 
fountains  and  various  gifts  on  behalf  of  the  city,  not  to  mention 
the  frequent  calls  made  upon  him  to  respond  for  the  city  at  im- 
portant banquets. 

In  a  word,  the  Mayor  participated  largely  in  the  city's  life, 
which  is  the  same  as  saying,  acting  conjointly  with  the  citizens  in 
their  life,  and  when  it  is  considered  that  he  is  but  the  figure  of.  the 
people,  representing  all  of  them,  his  acts  are  a  part  of  the  citizens', 
and  the  daily  record  of  the  doings  of  the  people  is  actually  the 
thing  that  is  important  to  the  citizens  themselves,—  the  two  inter- 
twined so  closely  in  interests  that  official  civic  acts  are  only  a  part 
of  the  lives  of  the  people  and  there  is  no  need  co  differentiate. 

Brevity  has  been  an  aim  of  the  compiler.  To  gain  this  end  he 
has  sacrificed  all  opportunity  to  achieve  renown  by  employing  the 
usual  fine  phraseology  of  the  historian.  He  has  sought  to  make 
the  statements  clear,  transcribing  them  in  a  manner  to  tell  as  much 
as  possible  Avithin  small  compass.  This  has  made  the  sentences  an 
abrupt  series  of  phrases.  The  book  has  thus  become,  in  reality, 
an  index  to  the  city's  past,  and  serves  its  purpose  as  a  means  to 
point  to  the  date  of  an  event,  which  being  found  herein,  the  seeker 
for  full  information  may  repair  with  facility  to  the  newspaper  file 
and  read  there  all  particulars.  Alany  a  person  has  been  obliged 
to  devote  a  week  to  the  tiresome  task  of  turning  pages  of  news- 
papers and  attempting  to  read  cursorily  each  article's  heading. 
With  an  approximate  date  in  mind,  these  pages  may  be  scanned 
most  rapidly. 

ATTAINING  ACCURACY. 

If  it  had  not  been  certain  that  this  book  could  be  made  more 
accurate,  more  comprehensive  in  scope  and  contents,  and  more 
up-to-date  by  a  score  of  years  than  anything  in  the  line  of  local 
history  ever  produced,  its  writing  would  not  have  been  attempted. 
Above  all  else  it  sought  accuracy  at  the  expenditure  of  considerable 
time,  because  seeking  verification  and  weighing  one  authority 
against  another  is  a  laborious  undertaking  that  too  many  writers 
evade. 

It  is  safely  estimating  it  to  assert  that  some  three  hundred  state- 
ments in  other  works  have  been  condemned  by  discovery  of  their 
error,  and  now  printed  Avith  a  due  regard  for  the  truth.  Consulta- 
tion of  the  works  of  historians  of  renown,  while  preparing  this 
volume,  has  proved  that  even  the  best  may  be  detected  making 
blunders,  and  so  while  it  is  hoped  that  this  publication  is  an  im- 
provement, it  would  be  honest  to  style  it  simply  that,  an  improve- 
ment upon  others,  and  put  forth  no  claims  to  absolute  perfection. 


PREFACE.  IX 

Thanks  are  due  to  Arnold  J.  F.  van  Laer,  Esq.,  New  York  State 
Archivist,  for  his  courteous  and  vahied  co-operation  along  these 
lines  that  seek  for  accuracy.  He  has  disproved  statements  regard- 
ing the  Dutch  settlement  of  New  York  made  by  prominent  histor- 
ians, and  the  changes  he  has  suggested  and  which  were  made  in 
this  work  were  agreed  to  because  he  was  able  to  cite  as  his  author- 
ity the  original  documents  that  are  possessed  by  the  State  Library 
and  directly  under  his  control.  This  acknowledgment,  however, 
does  not  commit  him  as  sponsor  for  all  that  is  printed  herein  about 
'  the  Dutch ;  but  it  places  credit  where  it  belongs  lor  from  fifty  to 
one  hundred  betterments  regarding  dates,  names,  proper  transla- 
tions and  the  like. 

CONFUSION    IN    SPELLING. 

In  no  other  department  of  literature  is  the  writer  so  non-plussed 
as  he  prosecutes  his  work,  as  in  preparing  a  history  of  early  times, 
when  he  discovers  that  the  matter  of  correctly  spelling  names  of 
persons  and  places  confronts  him.  The  spelling  of  the  early  Dutch 
settlers  hereabouts  was  notorious.  This  promiscuous  spelling  of 
their  names  could  be  straightened  out  by  reference  to  their  signa- 
tures if  it  were  the  way  others  wrote  their  names  for  them  that 
confused ;  but  nearly  every  inhabitant  wrote  his  name  in  several 
styles  of  spelling.  The  handwritten  records  in  the  City  Hall  tower, 
centuries  old,  have  been  examined  closely,  and  numbers  of  auto- 
graph letters  brought  to  bear  in  the  effort  to  untangle. 

The  pnme  puzzler  of  them  all  was  an  Albany  Mayor,  the  fourth. 
It  is  more  definite  to  mention  him  by  number  than  by  what  he 
was  called.  When  he  was  Mayor  of  Albany  he  was  addressed  and 
wrote  his  own  name  Dirk  or  Dirck  Wessels,  while  the  name  of  his 
own  son,  sitting  as  Alderman  in  his  father's  board,  was  written 
Wessel  Ten  Broeck.  Jacob  Leisler  the  insurrectionist  (who  wrote 
his  name  Leysler  before  coming  to  America)  wrote  it  Vessel  then 
Broke,  while  Washington  Irving  called  him  Dirk  Ten  Breeches. 
But  the  real  difficulty,  as  one  looks  over  a  row  of  histories,  is  not 
whether  it  was  "  Dirk "  or  "  Dirck,"  nor  yet  whether  it  should  be 
written  "  ten "  or  "  Ten ;"  but  to  pick  out  the  right  one  from 
"  Wessel,"  •'  Wessell,"  "  Wessels,"  "  Wessells  "  or  "  Wesselse." 

In  the  preparation  of  this  book,  the  signature  at  the  end  of  a 
man's  will  was  accepted  as  standard,  for  in  his  absence  to  testify, 
by  his  decease,  the  court  gave  oi^cial  recognizance  to  the  form  ap- 
pearing there.  But  strange  as  it  may  seem,  one  could  not  be  free 
to  accept  such  spelling  as  found  printed  in  a  book  at  the  end  of  a 
published  will,  for  typographical  error  might  destroy  the  force. 
Also  the  writing  may  not  appear  the  same  to  two  persons.  I  cite 
the  case  of  G.  W.  Schuyler's  "Colonial  New  York,"  where  (Vol. 


X  PREFACE. 

ii,  p.  329)  he  states :  "  To  land  contracts,  deeds,  and  to  his  will, 
he  wrote  his  name  in  full  '  Dirk  Wesselse  ten  Broeck ;'  the  '  ten ' 
always  with  a  small  '  t  '."  This  will  is  on  file  v/ith  the  Clerk  of 
the  Court  of  Appeals.  It  was  written  by  himself,  in  Dutch,  dated 
Feb.  4,  1715;  he  died  Sept.  18,  1717,  and  the  will  adniited  on  Feb. 
6,  1 71 8.  The  compiler  examined  it  and  was  convinced  that  the 
signature  is  not  as  affirmed  above,  ('  Dirk')  ;  but  reads  Dirck  Wes- 
selse ten  Broeck,  and  such  is  the  form  followed  on  the  monument 
to  his  memory  at  his  ancient  "  Bouwerie,"  at  Clermont.  N.  Y. 
This  example  is  an  illustration  of  the  pains  taken  throughout  this 
compilation. 

PECULIAR   PERTINENCE. 

The  compiler  has  taken  particular  pains  to  become  personally 
acquainted  with  the  scenes  of  almost  all  the  places  of  importance 
mentioned  in  this  book.  It  was  to  enable  him  to  write  understand- 
ingly  of  events  with  which  Albanians  were  connected  that  trans- 
pired at  such  places  as  Bemis  Heights,  Schuylerville  and  Stillwater; 
Ticonderoga,  Fort  George,  Bloody  Pond,  Schenectady,  etc.,  that  he 
made  special  journeys.  In  taking  up  each  period  of  history  it  is 
essential  to  place  oneself  as  nearly  in  touch  with  the  event  as  it 
is  possible  to  do  by  abundant  reading  and  then  by  acquaintance 
with  the  scene  itself.  One  must  be  carried  back  in  mind  to  those 
days  long  past  while  writing  of  them,  to  be  able  to  judge  of  the 
importance  of  the  characters  living  then  and  of  the  occurrence. 
The  reader  may  wonder  why  the  death  of  a  certain  individual  is 
stated ;  but  taking  the  whole  story  of  the  book  it  will  be  found 
that  he  had  important  bearing  on  some  previous  occasion,  which 
act  his  death-mention  completes. 

It  is  advisable  to  speak  here  of  the  reason  for  including  any 
events  that  occurred  outside  of  the  city  limits.  In  the  first  place, 
it  seemed  to  rob  Albany  of  a  large  part  of  its  best  history  if  the 
line  were  drawn  so  far  as  a  record,  at  the  city  boundary.  If  a  great 
general  or  artist  had  spent  most  of  his  life  here  but  latterly  lived 
and  died  elsewhere,  it  was  deemed  proper  to  make  the  entry  as 
extensive  as  though  he  breathed  his  last  in  this  city.  If  General 
Schuyler  burned  blockhouses  and  impeded  Burgoyne  near  Lake 
George,  if  Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck  (the  28th  ]\Iayor)  led  his 
command  to  Bemis  Fleights  and  fought  valiantly  there,  or  if  Gen. 
Peter  Gansevoort  held  Fort  Stanwix  during  the  bloodiest,  bitterest 
conflict  of  the  Revolution,  and  if  Peter  Townsend  ( great-grand- 
father of  Mayor  Franklin  Townsend)  had  constructed  at  his  iron 
foundry  the  mammoth  chain  that  reached  across  the  Hudson  at 
West  Point  to  keep  British  ships  away  from  Albany,  the  acts  of 
this  nature  deserved  record  equally  as  much  as  though  the  entire 


PREFACE.  XI 

event  transpired  within  gunshot  of  the  City  Hal!.  On  this  ])rinci- 
ple,  such  matters  happening  remote  from  here,  without  an  Albanian 
as  participant,  but  with  direct  bearing  upon  Albany,  as  when  Wash- 
ington prevented  Howe  from  proceeding  up  the  river  to  storm 
Albany,  require  a  position  in  local  history  that  the  picture  may  not  be 
incomplete  and  as  explaining  what  the  resultant  acts  were  here. 
One  cannot  read  a  history  with  understanding  if  the  why  and 
wherefore  are  omitted. 

REFEREXCE    READINGS. 

The  condensation  by  the  writer  of  this  book  of  the  important 
facts  with  local  bearing  as  contained  in  twelve  thousand  pages 
may  be  reversed  by  those  who  wish  to  gain  the  details  by  consulting 
the  list  of  books  purposely  perused  in  writing  this  one.  They  are 
the  sources  of  information,  aside  from  unpublished  documents  con- 
sulted. The  acknowledgment  made  here  that  the  waiter,  in  the 
nature  of  events  drew  his  information  from  the  records  or  writings 
of  others  likewise  makes  it  clear  that  he  vouches  for  the  authen- 
ticity of  no  other  incidents  entered  in  this  volume  than  those 
coming  directly  to  his  personal  knowledge,  covered  by  a  period 
of  the  last  two  or  three  decades.  However,  he  has  been  careful  to 
verify,  and  has  consulted  such  works  as  were  commonly  considered 
reliable. 

It  may  truthfully  be  said  that  only  one  history  of  the  city  has 
ever  been  written,  and  that  by  a  Trojan,  a  seeker  for  accuracy  who 
spared  no  pains,  Arthur  James  Weise,  whose  "  History  of  Albany  " 
(1885)  is  a  most  comprehensive  volume  and  one  to  be  relied  upon, 
for  statement  of  fact  and  the  accompanying  dates. 

But  to  follow  the  city's  events  more  closely,  to  be  certain  of 
the  facts,  to  gain  the  details  and  to  be  entertained  by  the  quaintness 
of  it  all,  for  the  writer  evidently  allowed  himself  to  be  carried  back 
in  mind  to  the  periods  of  his  yearly '  records,  one  must  pore  over 
the  faithfully-executed,  ten  plain  volumes  of  Joel  Munsell's  "Annals 
of  Albany," — unappreciated,  possibly,  at  the  time  they  were  printed 
by  him ;  but  highly  prized  now,  as  is  the  way  of  the  world.  He 
devoted  days  and  nights  that  the  people  of  coming  generations  might 
learn  without  trouble  to  themselves  all  about  the  city's  past.  In 
this  act  he  made  himself  one  of  the  city's  greatest  philanthropists. 
Besides  these  books,  there  are  his  four  large  volumes  of  "  Collec- 
tions," and  other  of  his  works.  It  may  appear  to  those  familiar 
with  the  "Annals."  that  this  book  bears  a  resemblance  to  his  pro- 
duction in  scope  and  a  little  in  its  arrangement,  for  one  diary  must 
be  like  another  that  deals  with  similar  material ;  but  it  is  impossible 
that  there  was  the  slightest  intent  or  that  the  compiler  of  this  book 
was   in   any  way  influenced  by  the   "Annals,"   for  he   started   this 


Xii  PREFACE. 

book  early  in  1904  and  never  read  a  page  of  Munsell's  "Annals" 
until,  as  a  library  record  shows,  he  drew  out  the  books  but  three 
months  previous  to  the  completion  of  this  book,  and  had  made 
nearly  all  of  it  before  he  checked  the  "Annals  "  for  such  items  that 
might  have  been  omitted. 

One  cannot  avoid  Dr.  Edward  B.  O'Callaghan's  "  Documentary 
History  of  New  York,"  (4  volumes;  4,317  pp.;  Weed,  Parsons  & 
Co.,  1849)  in  writing-  about  Albany,  for  it  is  cited  in  every  history 
written  about  this  state,  and  if  one  does  not  obtain  the  facts  direct 
they  are  absorbed  through  any  work  consulted. 

"A  History  of  Albany  and  Schenectady  Counties,"  George  Rogers 
Howell  and  Jonathan  Tenney,  editors,  (997  pp.,  1886)  has  aimed 
to  cover  every  department  in  which  citizens  take  interest,  and  is 
a  work  of  great  convenience.  Some  objection  is  made  to  the 
form  of  index  and  the  various  writers  who  participated  in  the 
text  were  not  always  accurate.  Parts  may  be  followed,  but  not 
the  volume  in  its  entirety. 

"Colonial  New  York,"  by  the  late  George  W.  Schuyler  (2  vols., 
1,408  pp.,  Scribner's,  1885)  is  not  only  carefully  written  and  enter- 
taining; but  it  is  largely  about  Albany  and  its  people  before  the 
state  was  formed.  For  the  compiler  of  an  untried  new  work  to 
praise  a  book  that  is  so  favorably  known  would  be  presumptuous  or 
unnecessary  recommendation. 

"  Early  Settlers  of  Albany  County,"  by  Prof.  Jonathan  Pearson 
of  Schenectady,  is  a  work  that  every  citizen  of  means  who  takes 
pride  in  his  city  secures  if  he  can  afford  the  luxury  of  out-of-print 
volumes ;  but  despite  its  prominence  the  antiquarians  of  recent  day 
discredit  its  statement  in  parts.  They  claim  that  they  have  found 
earlier  records  that  its  author  did  not  have  access  to  in  his  re- 
searches. 

"A  History  of  St.  Peter's  Church,"  by  Rev.  Joseph  Hooper,  M.  A., 
(The  Brandow  Printing  Co.,  Albany,  556  pp.,  1900)  presents  much 
material  throwing  light  upon  eiarly  times  at  Albany.  It  shows 
clearly  that  it  was  written  with  great  pains,  and  the  details  of  any 
subject  discussed, — fort,  church,  street  or  individual — are  replete 
and  evidently  the  result  of  drawing  records  from  musty  retreats 
into  public  notice. 

"  Centennial  Celebrations,"  by  Allen  C.  Beach,  (Weed.  Parsons  & 
Co.,  459  pp.,  1879)  contains  much  that  has  a  bearing  on  the  more 
important  of  local  matters,  a  book  that  is  widely  and  worthily 
known. 

"A  Godchild  of  Washington,"  by  Mrs.  Katharine  Schuyler  Bax- 
ter. (F.  Tennyson  Neely,  New  York,  651  pp.,  1897)  presents  a 
mass  of  new  material  from  old  letters,  while  the  familiar  incidents 
are  written  in  a  style  fascinating  to  the  antiquarian.     Unfortunately 


PREFACE.  XIU 

the  printers  did  not  do  full  justice  in  the  spelling  of  names;  but 
their  blunders  are  too  glaring  to  be  dangerous. 

'"A  Life  of  General  Philip  Schuyler,"  by  Bayard  Tuckerman, 
(Dodd,  Mead  &  Co.,  New  York,  277  pp.,  1903)  places  the  reader 
in  touch  with  the  stirring  incidents  of  the  Revolutionary  campaign 
as  enacted  here  or  affecting  this  city.  Every  citizen  taking  pride 
in  the  great  men  of  Albany's  past  should  read  it,  and  become 
enthusiastic  that  Albanians  played  so  important  a  part  in  national 
history. 

■  "  Letters  and  Journals  of  jMadam  Riedesel,"  translated  ably  by 
William  L.  Stone  of  Saratoga  in  1867,  and  published  by  Joel  Mun- 
sell,  is  a  work  of  absorbing  interest  because  the  writing  is  the 
graphic  description  of  an  eye-witness  of  Revoltitionary  scenes  that 
transpired  either  in  this  city  or  near  here. 

"  The  Ten  Broeck  Family  Genealogy,"  by  Miss  Emma  Ten 
Broeck  Runk,  now  residing  at  Lambertville,  N.  J.,  (De  Vinne 
Press,  277  pp.,  1897)  is  devoted  in  the  main  to  this  city's  history 
although  styled  a  genealogy. 

"Novum  Belgium:  an  Account  of  New  Netherland  in  1643-4, 
by  Rev.  Father  Isaac  Jogues,"  with  notes  by  John  Gilmary  Shea, 
(privately  printed  in  1862)  is  a  faithful  record  of  this  place  at  this 
early  time,  told  in  the  words  of  the  persecuted  missionary. 

"  The  Sexagenary,"  printed  by  Joel  Munsell  and  the  authorship 
traced  to  John  P.  Becker  of  Revolutionary  days  although  he  gave 
scarcely  a  cine  to  his  identity,  is  valuable  as  the  story  of  an  observ- 
ant witness  of  the  fight  for  liberty  along  the  upper  Hudson. 

"A  Story  of  Old  Saratoga,"  by  Rev.  John  Henry  Brando w,  (The 
Brandow  Printing  Co.,  Albany,  396  pp.,  with  maps,  1900)  is  com- 
prehensive in  its  narrative  of  Burgoyne's  invasion  and  surrender, 
and  probably  the  best  that  has  been  written. 

"  Stories  from  Early  New  York  History,"  by  Sherman  Williams 
of  Glens  Falls,  (Scribner's,  320  pp.,  1906)  although  planned  for 
the  youth  or  for  collegians,  will  give  greater  pleasure  to  grown 
readers ;  deals  in  part  with  Albany,  and  is  worthy  of  the  attention 
of  the  busy  person  who,  hurriedly  seeking  to  be  informed  regarding 
his  state's  history,  will  be  most  delighted  and  remember  what  is  read 
because  of  the  way  the  material  is  presented. 

"  Dutch  and  Quaker  Colonies  in  America."  by  the  late  John 
Fiske,  (2  vols.,  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co.,  1899)  is  told  in  an  enter- 
taining way ;  but  this  literary  st)'-le  has  caused  the  elimination  of  too 
many  dates  (which  might  have  been  placed  in  foot-notes)  and  serves 
better  as  a  picture  of  colonial  days  than  as  a  volume  of  records  to 
consult  for  dates. 

"  The  Hudson  River  from  Ocean  to  Source,"  by  Edgar  Mayhew 
Bacon,  (590  pp.,  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons,  1902)  deals  extensively  with 
Albany  and  vicinity. 


XIV  PREFACE. 

■'Historic  Towns  of  Alidclle  States,"  (G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons,  439 
pp.,  1899)  has  a  section  of  merit  contributed  about  Albany  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Walton  W.  Battershall,  rector  of  St.  Peter's. 

Francis  Parkman's  works  should  be  read  for  a  general  under- 
standing of  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  days  hereabouts.  There 
are  local  works  of  biographies,  Berthold  Fernow's  historical  writ- 
ings, the  large  Bi-Centennial  record  book  prepared  by  Andrew 
Hamilton,  Esq.,  under  the  chairmanship  of  Ex-Mayor  A.  B.  Banks, 
state  papers  prepared  by  State  Historian  Hugh  Hastings,  Gen. 
Amasa  J.  Parker's  "  Landmarks  of  Albany,"  Mrs.  Martha  Eamb's 
historical  works ;  Mrs.  Grant's  "  Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady," 
and  numerovis  other  works  of  the  nature  of  those  cited. 

The  above  list  is  not  a  bibliography  of  Albany.  There  are  other 
volumes  and  the  miscellaneous  booklets  of  institutions  useful  for 
reference;  but  these  particularly  are  deserving  of  credit  for  the 
assistance  they  have  been  in  compiling  this  one,  and  a  collection  of 
works  relating"  to  Albany  would  have  to  contain  these  volumes. 

Books  were  only  a  portion  of  the  source  of  information.  The 
written  records.  Dutch  and  English, — ancient,  musty,  half  illegible, 
partly  burned. — as  contained  in  the  tower  rooms  of  the  City  Hall, 
were  made  to  yield  their  facts.  It  is  well  to  preserve  material  of 
this  nature  in  such  way  that  it  is  accessible,  as  by  printing;  also,  lest 
a  second  conflagration  remove  what  the  City  Hall  fire  of  1880  has 
left  to  us.  Besides  this,  from  five  to  six  thousand  individual  letters 
had  to  be  written,  and  six  hundred  of  these,  by  count,  were  devoted 
to  the  material  about  the  Mayors  alone. 

APPRECIATIVE    ASSLSTANCE. 

While  the  writings  of  others  were  essential  in  the  production  of 
this  work,  the  book  would  not  have  been  written  or  given  to  the 
public  in  the  manner  it  is,  without  co-operation  in  its  production. 
Therefore,  the  compiler  is  not  the  only  one  to  whom  praise  will  be 
due  if  the  book  deserves  it,  although  he  alone  must  suffer  for  its 
shortcomings.  He  would  express  his  thanks  to  Robert  C.  Pruyn, 
Esq..  for  the  way  in  which  he  has  shown  his  appreciation  of  the 
undertaking  from  the  start  and  made  the  publication  possible  in 
its  completeness  and  form  ;  for  sanctioning  and  bearing  the  expense 
of  making  the  collection  of  the  Mayors'  portraits  cind  letters  by  the 
compiler ;  for  advice,  encouragement  and  help, — testimonials  that 
his  interest  in  the  city,  its  people  and  institutions  is  sincere. 

There  have  been  others  in  sympathy  with  the  project,  for  in 
the  course  of  three  years  of  confining  research  many  obstacles  were 
encountered  which  only  those  who  sought  its  prouaction  could  aid 
the  compiler  to  overcome.  ]\Irs.  John  A".  L.  Pruyn  is  one  who 
placed  what  she  had  at  the  disposal  of  the  writer,  whether  resulting 


PREFACE. 


XV 


in  inconvenience  or  injury,  and  courteously  insisted  that  anything- 
she  could  do  should  be  requested. 

In  various  helpful  ways  Mayor  Charles  H.  Gaus,  Mr.  James 
Ten  Eyck,  Mr.  J.  Townsend  Lansing,  Hon.  William  Barnes,  Jr., 
and  Mr.  Dudley  Olcott  have  taken  a  part  that  was  needful  and 
resultant  in  a  benefit  to  the  work.  Sup't  James  A.  Burns,  of  the 
Albany  Rural  Cemetery ;  Secretary  William  B.  Jones,  of  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce ;  former  Weather  Forecaster  Alfred  F.  Sims ; 
Eben  E.  Olcott,  President  of  the  Hudson  River  Day  Line ;  Prof. 
Lewis  Boss,  of  the  Dudley  Observatory;  Albert  E.  Brainard,  of  the 
N.  Y.  Central  Railroad,  Charles  Munsell  and  William  L.  Marcy 
Phelps,  have  cordially  furnished  information  as  often  as  it  was 
requested. 

It  is  with  gratitude  that  the  production  of  the  work  is  closed, — a 
gratification,  also,  that  despite  the  pleasurable  ptu-suit  it  is  finally 
ended  and  that  it  may  prove  a  benefit  to  many. 


"■  Pinxter  Hill," 
Albany,   Aug.    14,    1906. 


Xist  of  Ifllustrations- 


(This  is  an  alphabetical  list  of  the  illustrations  and  in  no  wise  a  reference 
table  to  be  used  for  the  date  of  any  object  pictured,  the  dates  listed  here 
referring  simply  to  a  reference  to  the  picture  in  the  text,  hence,  for  definite 
data    see  information  under  each  picture.) 


Albany 


Albany   in    1829 

Albany  Map  of   1614 (Oct.  11, 

Albany  Map  of  1695 

Albany  Map  of  1765 

Albany  Map  of  1794 

Albany  Academy    (July  29, 

Albany    County   Aims-House (Sept.  20, 

Albany  County  Building 

Albany   Female    Academy (May  12, 

Albany  Hospital    (June  23, 

Albany  Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society (Mch.  15, 

Albany   Orphan    Asylum (Dec.  2, 

Albany   Savings  Bank (Apr.  25, 

Albany  Seal  

Albany  Seal   of   1752 

Albany  Trust   Company (Sept.  5. 

All    Saints'    Cathedral (June  3. 

Andre   Meeting   Arnold (Sept.  21, 

Andre  Pass  and  Portrait (Oct.  2, 

Angel   at   the    Sepulchre (Apr.  29, 

Arnold,  General  Benedict (Oct.  7, 

Arthur's  Tomb    (Nov.  18, 

Artists  of  Albany (Mch.-Apr., 


Frontispiece 

P.\GE. 

829)  444 

614) 

695) 

765) 

794) 

81S) 

826) 

875) 
834) 


897) 
829) 
899) 
686) 

752) 
903) 
884) 
780) 
780) 
867) 

886) 
904) 


10 

134 
260 

384 
416 
468 
664 
510 
742 
708 
484 
750 
112 
246 

774 
674 
352 
352 
646 
316 
704 
778 


B. 

Bemis  Heights  Battle  Well (Sept.  19,  1777)  310 

Bloody   Pond    (Sept.  8,   1755)  216 

BurgoynC;   General  John (Oct.   18,  1777)  340 

Burns   Statue    (Aug.  30,  1888)  714 


C. 

Capitol   of  1808 (Nov.  i,  1808)  404 

Capitol    of    1808  —  Houses (July  7,  1869)  660 

Capitol  of  1808  is  Razed (Dec.  i,  1883)  698 

Capitol  of   1878 (May  14,  1878)  686 

Capitol's   Western   Staircase (1898)  716 

Central   Railroad   Station (Dec.  17,  1900)  754 

Chain   Across   Hudson (Apr.  30,  1778)  346 

City  Hall  of  1740 (June  19,  1754)  248 

City  Hall  of  1831 (Aug.  31,  1829 )  482 

City  Hall   of  1S81 (Oct.   13,  1881)  690 


xviii  LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE. 

Clarke    Created    Secretary ( Mch.   i6,   1703)  166 

Clermont <  Sept.  5,   1807)  402 

Congress   Hall   (July  L   1825)  454 

Constitution  House   (Apr.  20,   1777)  288 

Constitution   Island   (Apr.   16,   1778)  342 

Cruiser  Albany   (Mch.   16,  1898)  740 

Cruiser   Albany   Commissioned (-May  29,   1900)  752 

Cruiser    Albany   Launched (Jan.   14,  1899)  746 

Cruiser  Albany  Silver   Service (Feb.  7,  1903)  770 

Cuyler  :Mansion  —  Vlie  House (i77o)  268 

D. 

DeWitt  Clinton   Engine  and   Coaches. (Sept.  24,  1831)  500 

De  Witt  Clinton  Vases (Mch.  21,  1825)  452 

Dongan  Charter   (July  22,  1686)  88 

Dongan,   Governor  Thomas ( 1686)  100 

Dovegat  House,   South   of   Schuylerville (Sept.   15,  I777^  3o6 

Dudley  Observatory  —  Old    (Aug.  28.  1856)  622 

Dudley  Observatory  —  New   (Nov.  4,  1893)  726 

Duke  of  York  and  Albany (Sept.  24,  1664)  66 

Duke  of  York  and  Albany   Charter (Mch.   12.  1664)  62 

Dutch  Church  (June  2,  1656)  50 

Dutch  Church  Interior (Nov.  25,  1717)  1S6 

Dutch    Church    Pulpit (Aug.   10,  1657)  5^ 

Dutch   Church   Weather-Cock ( 1700)  150 

E. 

Eagle  Tavern (1814)  418 

Elm  Tree  Corner (i735)  220 

Elm  Tree  Corner  in  1837 ( 1837)  524 

Erie   Canal   Completed ( Nov.  2,  1825 )  456 

Erie   Canal   Opening (Sept.  25,   1823)  440 

Exchange  Building (Nov.   i,  1836)  518 

F. 

Father  Isaac  Jogues (Aug.  4,  1642)  32 

Federal  Building  (Mch.   12,  1872)  652 

Filtration    Plant    (Sept.,  1899)  746 

Gates,   General  Horatio (17^2)  206 

Fort  Crailo   (1663)  58 

Fort  Frederick  ( 1676)  76 

Fort  Frederick  Plans (Aug.   15,  1702)  16  f 

Fort   Neilson    (Oct.  7,  1777)  314 

Fort  Ticonderoga  (July  ."i.  I777)  292 

Fort  William  Henry (Aug.  28,   175.5)  212 

Fritz   Villa  —  Wolfert's   Roost (June  15,  1891)  722 

G. 

Gansevoort,   General    Peter (Aug.  6,  1777)  298 

Gansevoort  Flag (July  2,  1812)  412 

Gates,     General   Horatio (Aug.  19,   1777)  302 

Governor's   Mansion (Jan.  25,  1876)  668 

Grant's  Dispatch   Boat ( 1863)  628 

H. 

Half-Moon    Reaches    Albany (Sep.   19,  1609)  10 

Hamilton's  Marriage  in   Schuyler  Mansion (Dec.   14,  1780)  352 


LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS.  XIX 


PAGE. 

Hawk   Street   Viaduct ( June  ii.  i8<S8)  718 

Henr}-,   Prof.  Joseph (May  13,  1878)  682 

Henry  and  the  Telegraph (July,  1829)  4S0 

Henry's    Albany    Home (Sep.   11,  1826)  464 

Henry's   First  Magnets ( 1828)  442 

Henry's    "  Intensity "    Magnet (March,  1829)  476 

Henry's  Telegraph  Bell (July,  1829)  480 

Home  for  Aged (1874 )  654 

Hudson,  Henry   (Jan.  8,  1609)  S 

Humane    Society    Building ( 1901 )  762 

I. 

Immaculate    Conception    Cathedral (July  2,  1848)  594 

Important   Albany   Institutions (1899-1900)  750 

Indian    Land    Deed (May  31,  1663)  56 

Indian  Treaty  (June  14,  1701)  158 

J- 

Jail  of  1810 (July  30,  1810)  408 

Jane   McCrea  Tree (July  27,  1777)  296 

K. 

King  Fountain  (Sept.  29,  1893)  724 

King  Hendrick    (Sept.  8,  1755)  214 

L. 

Lady  Harriet  Ackland (Oct.   18,  1777)  340 

Lake  Bethesda,  Rural  Cemetery (Oct.  7,  1844)  558 

Lake  Consecration,  Rural  Cemetery (Oct.  7,  1844)  558 

Lancaster   School  —  Albany   Medical   College (Mays,  1817)  426 

Lansing  —  Visscher — Pemberton  House   (1710)  182 

Lord  Howe's  Burial (Sept.  5,  1758)  254 

M. 

Mayor  Banks   (Anthony  Bleecker) 670 

Mayor  Bleecker    (Charles  Edward) 656 

Mayor  Bleecker   (Jan  Jansen) 15C' 

Mayor  Bleecker  (Rutger) 200 

Mayor  Blessing   (James  Henry) 748 

Mayor  Bloodgood   TFrancis)    496 

Mayor  Corning   (Erastus)    508 

Maj'or  De  Peyster   (Johannes) 204 

Mayor  Douw    (Volckert  Petrus) 258 

Mayor  Dudley   (Charles  Edward) 432 

Mayor  Gaus   (Charles  Henry ) "  766 

Mayor  Godard    (Charles  Watson) 636 

Mayor  Humphrey   (Friend)    552 

Mayor  Jenkins   (Elisha)    424 

Mayor  Judson    (Edmund  Lewis) 662 

Mayor  Lansing    (John)    3/0 

Mayor  Livingston    (Robert,  Jun. )  180 

Mayor  Maher    (Edward  Augustin) 712 

Mayor  Manning   (James  Hilton)  720 

Mayor  Nolan    (Michael    Nicholas) 680 

Maj'or  Paige    (John   Keyes) 566 

Mayor  Parmelee    (William)    572 

Mayor  Perry   (EH)    610 


LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE. 

Mayor  Rathbone    (.Tared  Lewis) 534 

Mayor  Sanders    (Robert)    244 

Mayor  Schuyler    ( David   Davidse) 176 

Mayor  Schuyler    (Johannes)    170 

Mayor  Schuyler    (Johannes,  Jun.)  224 

Mayor  Schuyler    (Pieter)    no 

Mayor  Spencer    ( Ambrose)    448 

Mayor  Staats    (Barent   Philip)  546 

Mayor  Stevenson    (James)    460 

Mayor  Swinburne    (John)    696 

Mayor  Taylor   (John)    592 

Mayor  Ten  Broeck    (Abraham)  350 

Mayor  Ten   Broeck    (Dirck) 234 

Mayor  Thacher    (George  Hornell) 640 

Mayor  Thacher    (John  Boyd) 702 

Mayor  Townsend   (Franklin)    602 

Mayor  Townsend    (John)     474 

Mayor  Van  Alstyne   (Thos.  Jefferson) 738 

Mayor  Van  Rensselaer   (Philip  Schuyler) 390 

Mayor  Van  Schaick   (Sybrant  Gozen) 250 

Mayor  Van   Vechten    (Teunis) 522 

Mayor  Wilson    (Oren   Elbridge) 730 

Mayor  Yates    (Abraham)    378 

Mayor  Gaus   and   Prince  Henry (Mch.  7,  1902)  768 

Manning  Boulevard    (Dec.  24,   1887)  706 

Marble  "Pillar    Building (1863)  632 

Marcy's  Grave,   Governor  William  L (d.  July  4,  1857)  542 

Marshall   House,    Schuylerville (Oct.  11,  1777)  326 

Mechanics   and   Farmers'   Bank (1814)  414 

Morgan,   General   Daniel (Oct.  7,  1777)  318 

Mother  Ann's  Tomb ( Sept.  8,  1784)  364 

Mrs.   Grant  of  Laggan (1808)  406 

Munsell,  Joel   (Dedication  page). 

Museum  Building (Jan.  r,  1831)  498 

N. 

National   Commercial  Bank (May  2,  1904)  780 

North  Dutch  Reformed  Church (June  12,  1797)  3S4 

North    Market    (1791)  380 

North    Pearl    Street (1788)  374 

O. 

Odd   Fellows'   Hall ( July  18,  1894)  732 

P. 

Patroon's   Office ( 1678)  78 

Penny    Postman   Winne (1812)  410 

Prince   of   Orange (May,  1624)  20 

Printing  by  Primitive  Methods ( 1828 )  470 

Pruyn  Altar  and  Reredos (1885)  676 

Pruyn   Library    (Apr.  8,  1901)  756 

Q. 

Queen   Anne   Silver   Service (Nov.,  1712)  184 


LIST   OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


XXI 


R. 

Rensselaerswyck  Cannon  of   1630 (July  i,   1644 

Riedesel,  Madame    (Oct.  18,  1777 

Rural  Cemeterj'  ( Dec.  31,  1840 

Rural  Cemetery  Buildings ( 1882 

Rural  Cemetery  Chapel  ( 1884 

Rural  Cemetery  Grounds  (Mayi4,  1841 

Rural  Cemetery  Lakes   (Oct.  7,  1844 

Rural  Cemetery  Office   (1882 

Rural  Cemetery  Statuary (Nov.   18,  1886 

Rural  Cemetery  Sup't's  House  (1899 

Rural  Cemetery  Vault  ( 1858 


Sanders-Glen   Scotia  House ( 

Schenectady  Massacre   ( Feb.  8. 

Schuyler   Flatts,   Watervliet (June  22, 

Schuyler.   General    Philip (Jan.  29, 

Schuyler's   Grave   (Nov.   18, 

.Schuyler    Homestead,    Schuylerville (Oct.   10, 


Schuyler's  Indian 
Schuyler  Mansion 
Schuyler  Mansion 
Schuvler  Mansion 


Sachems (  Dec, 

( 

Attacked    (Aug.  7, 

Guests   ( Oct.  18, 

Schuyler,  Mrs.    Philip   (Oct.   18, 

Schuylerville  Monument    (Oct.  17, 

Sloughter's   Commission   (Jan.  4, 

Soldiers'   JNIonument,   Rural   Cemetery 

South  Dutch   Church (Apr.  30, 

Spanish  War   Souvenir (Sept.  24, 

Staats  House    ( 

Stanwix   Hall    ( 

State  Hall   ( 

State  Library  of  1851 (Aug.  24, 

State  Normal  College    ( 

State  Street  —  North    Side    (Mch.  10, 

Steamboat  Albany   (July  3, 

Steamboat  Clermont (Sept.  5, 

Steamboat  Hendrick  Hudson   (Mch.  31, 

Steamboat  INIary   Powell  ( 

Steamboat  IMilton   Martin    ( 

St.  Agnes'    School   ( Tune  19, 

St.  Mary's  Church   (Sept.  13, 

St.  Peter's  Church  —  First  Edifice (Nov.  25, 

St.  Peter's  Church  —  Second  Edifice    (May  7, 

St.  Peter's  Church  —  Third  Edifice    (June  29, 

St.  Peter's  Church — ■  Interior   (Oct.  4, 

St.  Peter's  Church   Tower   (Nov.  I, 

Stuyvesant,   Director   Pieter (Jan.   15, 

Surrender  of  Burgoyne (Oct.  17, 

Surrender   Tree,    Schuylerville (Oct.   16, 

T. 

Ten  Broeck's  "  Bouwerie  " (1697 

Ten  Broeck's  Commission   as   Mayor (Oct.  3,  1747 

Ten  Broeck's  Mansion (1798 


752 
690 
672 
784 
804 

177 
709 
761 

781 
777 
777 
777 
691 


806 
898 
667 
833 

842 

851 
88s 
804 
880 
807 
906 
861 
86^ 
871 
797 
717 
802 

859 
860 
876 
652 
777 


38 
340 
542 
692 
624 
528 
558 
692 
704 
692 
624 


246 
120 
72 
362 
362 

324 
130 
256 
354 
340 
340 
334 
124 
39B 
400 
744 
70 
504 
548 
612 
678 
396 
688 
402 
802 
644 
628 
650 
356 
188 

394 
626 
642 
672 
46 


140 
236 
356 


U. 
United  Traction  Co.'s  Office (June  14,  1900)     750 


XXll  LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 

V.  PAGE. 

Vanderheyden    Palace    (1725)  196 

Van  Rensselaer   Coach    ( 1818)  428 

Van  Rensselaer  Manor   (1765)  262 

Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House  of  1666  (1666)  68 

Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House  of  1765 (Jan.  26,  1839)  536 

Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House  of  1843   (June  3,  1843)  554 

Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House  in  1893   (Oct..  1893)  728 

Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House  Hall  (Jan.  26,  1839)  536 

Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House  Library  ( May  25,  1868)  658 

Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House  Parlor (June  19,  1875)  666 

Van  Rensselaer,   Patroon   Kiliaen (July  27,  1630)  24 

Verrazano,  Giovanni  da (1524)  4 

W. 

War  Map  of  Revolution (July,  1777)  294 

Washington's  Headquarters ( 1750)  242 

Washington    Park    Lake (July,  1875 )  666 

Washington   Park  Scene ( 1894)  734 

Waterworks   Company   Reservoir (1802)  392 

Welch's  Grave,  Rev.  Bartholomew  T 542 

Whitehall   Homestead   ( 1 749)  240 

Wolven-Hoeck (1724)  192 

Y. 

Yankee   Doodle  House (June,  1758)  252 


nDa^ots  of  Hlban>2. 


1.  Col.  Pieter  Schuyler. 

2.  Inclge  Johannes  Abeel. 

3.  Judge  Evert  Bancker. 

4.  Maj.  Dirck  Wesselse  ten  Broeck. 

5.  Hon.  Hendrick  Hansen. 

6.  Capt.   Pieter  Van  Brugh   (Verbrugge), 

7.  Capt.  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker. 

8.  Hon.  Johannes  Bleecker,  Jun. 

9.  Capt.  Albert  Janse  Ryckman. 

10.  Capt.  Johannes  Schuyler. 

11.  Hon.  David  Davidse  Schuyler. 

12.  Hon.  Robert  Livingston,  Jun. 

13.  Lieut.-Col.  Myndert  Schuyler. 

14.  Hon.  Johannes  Cuyler. 

15.  Plon.  Rutger  Bleecker. 

16.  Capt.  Johannes  de  Peyster. 

17.  Johannes   C"  Hans  ")   Hansen,  Esq. 

18.  Edward  Holland,  Esq. 

19.  Col.  Johannes  Schuyler,  Jun. 

20.  Cornelis  Cuyler,  Esq. 

21.  Hon.  Dirck  Ten  Broeck. 

22.  Judge  Jacob  Coenracdt  Ten  Eyck. 

23.  Capt  Robert  Sanders. 

24.  Sybrant  Cozen  Van  Schaick,  Esq: 

25.  Judge  Volckert  Petrus  Douw. 

26.  Col.  Abraham  Cornelis  Cuyler. 

27.  John  Barclay,  Esq. 

28.  ben.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck. 

29.  Johannes  Jacobse  Beeckman,  Esq. 

30.  thancellor  John  Lansing.  Jun. 

31.  Sen.  Abraham  Yates,  Jun. 

32.  Philip  Schuyler  Van  Rensselaer.  Esq. 

33.  Col.  Elisha  Jenkins. 

34.  Sen.  Charles  Edward  Dudley. 

35.  Judge  Ambrose  Spencer. 


XXIV  MAYORS    OF    ALBANY. 

2.6.  James  Stevenson,  Esq. 

2.7.  John  Townsend,  Esq. 

38.  Francis  Bloodg-ood,  Esq. 

39.  Sen.  Erastus  Corning. 

40.  Hon.  Tennis  Van  Vechten. 

41.  Hon.  Jared  Lewis  Rathbone. 

42.  Dr.  Barent  Philip  Staats. 

43.  Sen.  Friend  Humphrey. 

44.  Col.  John  Keyes  Paige. 

45.  Judge  William  Parmelee. 

46.  John  Taylor,  Esq. 

47.  Gen.  Franklin  Townsend. 

48.  Hon.  Eli  Perry. 

49.  Capt.  Charles  Watson  Godard. 

50.  Hon.  George  Hornell  Thacher. 

51.  Hon.  Charles  Edward  Bleecker. 

52.  Hon.  Edmund  Lewis  Judson. 

53.  Sen.  A.  Bleecker  Banks. 

54.  Hon.  Michael  Nicholas  Nolan. 

55.  Dr.  John  Swinburne. 

56.  Sen.  John  Boyd  Thacher. 

57.  Edward  Augustin  Maher,  Esq. 

58.  Maj.  James  Hilton  Manning. 

59.  Oren  Elbridge  Wilson,  Esq. 

60.  Judge  Thomas  Jefferson  Van  Alstyne. 

61.  Hon.  James  Henry  Blessing. 

62.  Maj.  Charles  Henry  Gaus. 


Note  —  Titles  appearing  here  are  given  without  reference  to  holding  office 
of  Mayors ;   "  Hon."  signifying  the   executive  had  held  public  office. 


jfounbino  the  Cit^  of  Hlban^. 


MAQUAAS  or  Mohawk  Indians 1524 

FUR-TRADERS  (French)   1540 

HENRY  HUDSON Sept.  19,  1609 

TRADING-POST  (Dutch)   1615 

FORT  ORANGE   (Walloons) May,   1624 

RENSSELAERSWYCK  (Dutch)  June  i,  1630 

BEVERSWYCK  (Dutch)   April  i,  1652 

ALBANY  (English) Sept.  24,  1664 

WILLEMSTADT  (Dutch) Aug.  5,   1673 

ALBANY  (English) Nov.  10,  1674 

ALBANY  CITY  (Charter) July  22,   1686 


VERRAZANO'S      DISCOVERY  —  1524. 
Giovanni  da  'Verrazano,    expert  Italian  navigator,   in  1523  sails  the  La  Dauphine.    50  men, 
from  Dieppe,   France,   commissioned   by   Francis   I.,   seeking  direct   route  to   East  Indies.     He 
enters    New  Yorlj   Bay   in   April.    152-1.     Witliout   sailing  up   the   river,    he   notes  that   Indian 
tribes  inhabit  both   Its  shores,    and  departs. 

*  *  * 

FRENCH    FUR-TRADERS'    CASTLE  —  1540. 
French    fur-trader.s.     bartering    with     Indians    along    the     (Hudson)     river,    erect    a    stone 
"  castle  "    or   fortitied   trading-post,    2G  x  ;!(!   feet,    on   island    at   southeni    boundary   of   site  of 
Albany,    in   1540. 

*  •  * 

HENRY  HUDSON'S  ARRIVAL  —  Sept.  19.  1G09. 
Henry  Hudson,  an  English  navigator,  is  employed  by  the  Dutch  East  India  Co.  under 
contract  dated  Jan.  8.  1609,  to  explore  the  Grande  (Hudson)  River,  noted  by  him  on  a 
French  map.  He  sails  the  Half  Moon  from  Texel,  Holland,  on  March  25th;  enters  New 
York  Bay  on  Sept.  3rd  (Old  style)  ;  passes  through  The  Narrows  on  Sept.  6th,  and  reaches 
the  site  of  Albany  on  Sept.  19th.  He  anchors  there  four  days  while  his  men  go  northward 
to  sound,  holding"  much  intercourse  with  Indians ;  starts  cruising  down  the  river  on  Sept. 
23fd;  sails  for  Holland  on  Oct.   4th.   and  arrives  at  Dartmouth,   Eng.,   on  Nov.   7,   1609. 

*  *  * 

DUTCH    TRADING-POST  —  1615. 

The  Lords  States-General  at  The  Hague,  Holland,  on  Oct.  11,  1614,  grant  a  license  to  fur- 
traders  to  traffic  with  natives  in  New  Netherland,  who  send  Hendrik  Corstiaensen,  of  Amster- 
dam, there  in  1615.  and  he  rebuilds  the  "  Castle  "  the  French  fur-traders  had  built  in 
1540  on  the  island  just  south  of  site  of  Albany,  calling  it  Fort  Nassau;  vchlch  is  wrecked 
by  freshet  in   1618  and  abandoned. 

*  *  * 

FORT  ORANGE  —  THE  WALLOONS  —  May,  1624. 
The  Dutch  West  India  Co.  is  incorporated  under  seal  of  Lords  States-General  of  Holland. 
June  3,  1621,  intending  to  colonize  or  trade  in  America.  The  Walloons,  or  persecuted 
French  Protestants  who  had  fled  to  Belgium.  liked  by  the  Dutch  because  of  their  thrift, 
petition  this  company  Feb.  5,  1622,  to  be  allowed  to  settle  along  the  Hudson  River.  In 
1623  they  are  given  permission,  and  in  March,  1624,  30  families  sail  on  the  New  Netherland, 
Capt.  C.  J.  Mey;  enter  New  York  Bay  in  May,  1624,  and  proceed  to  site  of  Albany;  building 
Fort  Orange,  near  the  river  on  main  land,  in  June,  in  command  of  which  they  place  Arien 
Jorise;  but  in  1629  the  company  abandons  sending  settlers  because  of  heavy  expense  to 
maintain. 

*  *  * 

RENSSELAERSWYCK  —  .Tune  1,  1630. 
The  Dutch  West  India  Co..  abandoning  settlement  policy,  adopts  plan  of  allowing  manorial 
grants,  which  on  June  7,  1629.  is  approved  b.v  Lords  States-General  at  Amsterdam.  Kiliaen 
Van  Rensselaer.  Director  of  the  Amsterdam  Chamber  and  wealthy  pearl  merchant,  obtains 
on  Nov.  19,  1629.  the  first  concession  to  establish  a  colony.  He  writes  at  once  to  Sebastiaen 
Jansen  Crol,  at  Fort  Orange,  to  purchase  a  tract  from  the  Mohawks  for  him  and  associates. 
The  first  lot  of  colonists  sail  on  the  Unity,  Capt.  Jan  Brouwer,  March  21,  1630.  On  July 
27.  1630,  Crol  buys  a  tract  on  which  Albany  is  built,  extending  it  southward  by  buying  along  the 
west  shore  from  Beeren  to  Smacks  Island,  April  30,  1631.  The  Unity  arrives  at  Manhattan  Island 
on  May  24,  1630.  and  reaches  Fort  Orange  on  June  1.  Indians'  deed  of  Aug.  13,  1630,  transfers 
land  (on  which  Albany  is  built)  to  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  and  in  1631  he  forms  a  partner- 
ship with  other  Hollanders.  Jan  Baptiste  Van  Rensselaer  is  the  first  of  the  family  to  come 
to  America,    1651,   and  becomes  Director  of   the  Manor  on   May   8,    1652. 

*  *  * 

BEVERSWYCK  —  April    1,    1652. 
Director-General    Pieter    Stuyvesant.    chief    official    of    the    Dutch    West    India    Co.    in    New 
Netherland,   with  headquarters  on  Manhattan   Island,   while  at  Fort  Orange  on  April   1,   1652, 
proclaims  the  land  built  up  about  the  fort  near  the  river  to  be  known  as  Dorpe  Beverswyck. 

*  *  * 

ALB.^NY  —  English  Rule  —  Sept.  24,  1664. 
The  English  had  coveted  New  Netherland,  claiming  it  as  a  portion  of  the  territory  granted 
by  Queen  Elizabeth  in  1584  to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  and  also  of  right  by  the  discovery  of 
the  Cabots  in  1497.  The  Plymouth  colony  had  grown  jealous  and  influenced  King  Charles  II. 
of  England,  who  made  a  grant  of  the  territory  embraced  in  New  Netherland  (and  more 
besides)  to  his  brother,  James,  Duke  of  York  and  Albany,  on  March  12,  1664.  The  English 
fleet  entered  New  Y'^ork  Bay  on  Aug.  26th,  and  its  commander,  Col.  Richard  Nicolls,  demands 
of  Director-General  Stuyvesant  the  surrender  of  New  Amsterdam.  He  resists,  but  signs  the 
capitulation  on  Sept.  8,  1664.  and  Vice-Director  La  Montague,  for  the  Dutch  West  India  Co., 
at  Fort  Orange,   peacefully  surrenders  that  place  on  order  from  Gov.   Nicolls,   Sept.   24,   1664. 

WILLEMSTADT  —  Dutch  Rule  —  Aug.  5,  1673. 
King  Charles  II.  of  England  breaks  the  peace  of  Breda  (July  31.  1667)  by  declaring  war 
on  March  17.  1672,  against  Dutch  provinces.  A  Dutch  fleet  of  23  vessels  and  1,600  men 
enters  New  York  Bay  on  July  29,  1673,  demanding  surrender  of  Fort  James,  which  does  so 
later  that  day.  and  Lieut.  Salisbury  surrenders  Fort  Albany  (that  had  been  Fort  Orange) 
on  Aug.   5.   1673. 

«  *  « 

ALBANY  —  English    Rule  —  Feb.    19,    1674. 
Willemstadt    becomes    Albany    once    more    on    the    signing    of    the    treaty    of    Westminster, 
whereby   the   Dutch   stipulate  on   Feb.    19,    1674,    that   all   the  lands.    Islands,    cities  and  forts 
that  they  had  captured   from   the  English,   should  revert  to  that  nation. 

»  «  * 

ALBANY   RECEIVES   CHARTER. 
Col.   Thomas  Dongan,    Governor  of  the  Province  of  New  York,    grants   a   charter  to   Albany,  and 
commissions  Col.    Pieter   Schuyler  to  be  the  first   Mayor,    on  July   22,    1686. 


GIOVANNI  DA  VERRAZANO. 

Francis  I.   o'  France  commissioned  him  to  discover  new  lands,  and  he 
ancliored  La  Dauphine  m  New  York  Bay,  summer  of  1524. 


J^ounbino  of  Hlban^. 

1523. 


Thirty-one  years  after  Columbus  had  discovered  America,  Giovanni 
da  Verrazano,  an  expert  Italian  navigator  of  the  high  seas, 
sets  sail  aboard  La  Dauphine  with  a  crew  of  fifty  men,  from 
Dieppe,  on  the  northern  coast  of  France,  bearing  the  commis- 
sion of  Francis  I.,  King  of  PYance,  to  seek  a  western  route  to 
India  or  discover  new  lands  for  the  Crown. 


1524. 

Verrazano  first  perceives  the  North  American  continent  at  the  34th 
parallel  of  latitude,  being  practically  off  Cape  Hatteras,  North 
Carolina,  (Old  style)   March  ii. 

Verrazano  steers  southward,  exploring  the  coast  for  about  fifty 
leagues  (150  miles,  not  far  to  the  north  of  Charleston,  S.  C), 
then  turns  northward,  at  times  going  ashore  to  make  cursory 
surveys  of  the  country  in  search  of  a  body  of  water  opening 
westward,  March  15. 

Verrazano  arrives  at  New  York  Bay  and  enters  it.  Believing  that 
he  is  in  a  navigable  strait  that  will  conduct  him  to  India,  he 
mans  his  small  boat  and  rows  into  the  upper  bay,  which  he  notes 
in  his  journal  as  a  beautiful  lake  formed  by  a  large  river. 
Indians  paddle  from  the  shore  in  canoes  to  meet  him,  and 
wonder  at  the  strangeness  of  the  faces  of  the  foreign  visitors, 
the  like  of  which  they  had  never  beheld,  at  the  unusual  cos- 
tumes and  the  peculiar  vessel  with  oars  and  sail,  and  appearance 
of  a  bird ;  but  a  gale  arising,  he  and  his  men  pull  back  to  the 
larger  boat,  which  had  ridden  at  anchor  in  the  bay,  and  they  put 
to  sea,  April. 

The  La  Dauphine  arrives  at  Dieppe,  France,  and  Verrazano  immedi- 
ately sends  a  letter  to  King  Francis  describing  the  land  he  had 
explored  for  nearly  1,200  miles,  July  8. 

King  Francis  I.  terms  the  new  land  discovered  by  Verrazano,  from 
Florida  to  the  St.  Lawrence  Gulf,  La  Nouvelle  France  or  New 
France,  and  the  Hudson  river  he  names  the  Grande  river. 


Founding. 
1525-1607. 


1525. 


Estevan  Gomez,  a  Spanish  navigator,  having  steered  his  vessel 
across  the  ocean  to  Labrador,  coasts  southward  until  off  the 
Florida  shore,  and  on  his  way  notices  and  makes  a  record  of 
the  Grande  (Hudson)  River. 


1540. 


Fur  traders  from  France  having  sailed  in  barques  as  far  up  the 
Hudson  river  as  its  confluence  with  the  Alohawk,  erect  a 
"  castle  ''  or  fort,  (a  fortified  trading-house)  on  the  island  south- 
ward of  the  site  of  the  future  Albany,  and  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river ;  but  before  completion  the  freshet  carries  the  walls 
away. 


1542. 


Jean  Allefonsce  of  Saintonge  sails  across  the  ocean  to  New  France 
(Canada),  and  during  the  summer  coasts  southward,  passing 
through  Long  Island  Sound  and  Hell  Gate  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Grande  (Hudson)  River,  writing  in  his  record  that  French 
fur  traders  had  sailed  far  up  that  river  to  barter  with  the 
Indians. 


1607. 


Henr^'  Hudson,  an  English  navigator,  is  sent  in  command  of  the 
sailing  vessel  Hopeful  by  the  .Muscovy  Company  on  his  firet 
voyage  of  discovery,  to  sail  across  the  pole  to  the  Spice  Islands. 
He  reaches  the  east,  coast  of  Greenland  at  69  degrees  north 
latitude,  and  sails  northward  to  latitude  J^  degrees  north,  re- 
turning to  England  in  June. 


Founding. 
1608-1609. 


1608. 


Henry  Hudson  makes  his  second  voyage,  trying  to  discover  a  north- 
east passage  around  the  world. 

Henry  Hudson  examines  the  rare  French  maps  of  New  France,  and 
becoming  deeply  interested,  plans  a  voyage  to  America. 


1609. 


The  Dutch  East  India  Company  engages  Henry  Hudson  to  take  a 
vessel  to  seek  the  Grande  (Hudson)  river,  to  inspect  its  advan- 
tages, and  if  possible  to  steer  through  it  to  India.  Hudson, 
being  unacquainted  with  the  Dutch  language,  employs  Jodocus 
Hondius,  a  Dutch  scholar,  to  draw  a  contract,  which  reads  as 
follows :  "  On  this  eighth  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
one  thousand  six  hundred  and  nine,  the  directors  of  the  East 
India  Company  of  the  Chamber  of  Amsterdam,  of  the  ten 
years'  reckoning,  of  the  one  part,  and  Mr.  Henry  Hudson, 
Englishman,  assisted  by  Jodocus  Hondius,  of  the  other  part, 
have  agreed  in  manner  following,  to  wit:  That  the  said  direct- 
ors shall  in  the  first  place  equip  a  small  vessel  or  yacht  of  about 
thirty  lasts  (about  6o  tons)  burden,  with  which,  well  provided 
with  men,  provisions  and  other  necessaries,  the  aforenamed 
Hudson  shall,  about  the  first  of  April,  sail,  in  order  to  search 
for  a  passage  by  the  north,  around  by  the  north  side  of  Novaya 
Zemlya,  and  shall  continue  thus  along  that  parallel  until  he 
shall  be  able  to  sail  southward  to  the  latitude  of  sixty  degrees. 
He  shall  obtain  as  much  knowledge  of  the  lands  as  can  be  done 
without  any  considerable  loss  of  time,  and  if  it  be  possible 
return  immediately,  in  order  to  make  a  faithful  report  and  rela- 
tion of  his  voyage  to  the  directors,  and  to  deliver  over  his  jour- 
nals, log-books  and  charts,  together  with  an  account  of  every- 
thing whatsoever  which  shall  happen  to  him  during  the  voyage, 
without  keeping  anything  back ;  for  which  said  voyage  the 
directors  shall  pay  to  the  said  Hudson,  as  well  as  for  his  outfit 
for  the  said  voyage  as  for  the  support  of  his  wife  and  children, 
the  sum  of  eight  hundred  guilders  ($325);  and,  in  case  (which 
God  prevent)  he  do  not  come  back  or  arrive  hereabouts  within 


8  Founding. 

1609. 

a  year,  the  directors  shall  further  pay  to  his  wife  two  hundred 
guilders  in  cash ;  and  thereupon  they  shall  not  be  further  liable 
to  him  or  his  heirs,  unless  he  shall  either  afterward  or  within  the 
year  arrive  and  have  found  the  passage  good  and  suitable  for 
the  company  to  use ;  in  which  the  directors  shall  reward  the 
aforenamed  Hudson  for  his  dangers,  trouble,  and  knowledge  in 
their  discretion,  with  which  the  before-mentioned  Hudson  is 
content.  And  in  case  the  directors  think  proper  to  prosecute 
and  continue  the  same  voyage,  it  is  stipulated  and  agreed  with 
the  aforenamed  Hudson,  that  he  shall  make  his  residence  in 
this  country  with  his  wife  and  children,  and  shall  enter  into  the 
employment  of  no  other  than  the  company,  and  this  at  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  directors,  who  also  promise  to  make  him  satisfied 
and  content  for  such  further  service  in  all  justice  and  equity. 
All  without  fraud  or  evil  intent.  In  witness  of  the  truth, 
two  contracts  are  made  hereof,  of  the  same  tenor,  and  are  sub- 
scribed by  both  parties  and  also  by  Jodocus  Hondius  as  inter- 
preter and  witness.  Dated  as  above :  Dirk  van  Os,  J.  Poppe, 
Henry  Hudson.     Jodocus  Hondius,  witness,"  Jan.  8. 

Henry  Hudson  sets  sail  in  De  Halve  Maen  (The  Half  Moon)  with  a 
crew  of  twenty  English  and  Dutch  sailors,  accompanied  by 
another  vessel,  the  Good  Hope,  March  25. 

Sailing  out  of  the  Texel,  Holland,  Hudson  steers  northerly, 

March  26. 

The  Half  Moon  doubles  North  Cape,  at  the  northern  end  of  Norway, 
and  steers  for  Nova  Zembla;  but  encounters  too  much  ice  to 
proceed,  and  he  holds  a  council  with  his  men  as  to  whether  it 
would  be  better  to  cross  at  the  50th  parallel  or  follow  Davis's 
strait,  and  they  choose  the  former  because  of  the  greater 
warmth  and  lesser  likelihood  of  encountering  icebergs,     April. 

The  Good 'Hope  mutinies  and  returns  home,  not  caring  to  cross  the 
ocean,  April. 

The  Half  Moon  secures  a  supply  of  fresh  water  at  the  Faroe  Islands, 
and  stands  out  for  its  voyage  westward  to  America,  May. 

The  Half  Moon  meets  some  French  fishing-boats  on  the  cod  banks, 
and  turns  its  course  southward,  July  3. 

The  Half  Moon  arrives  at  Chesapeake  bay,  August. 

The  Half  Moon,  having  arrived  in  latitude  37  degrees,  45  minutes, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Virginia,  turns  northward  and  skirts  the 
coast  until  it  finds  a  good  entrance,  40  degrees,  45  minutes, 
north  latitude ;  perceiving  three  great  rivers  at  three  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  he  stands  for  the  northernmost,  finding  there  a 
broad,  deep  channel,  (Old  style)  Sept.  3. 


HENRY  HUDSON. 

This  English  navigator  signed  a  contract  on  Jan.  8,  1609,  with  the  Dutch 
East  India  Co.  to  sail  the  Half  Moon  from  Holland  to  America. 


[''orxDixc.  9 

1609. 

Henry  Hudson  aboard  the  Half  Moon  passes  through  the  Narrows, 

Sept.  6. 

The  Half  Moon  is  attacked  by  Indians,  and  John  Coleman,  one  of 
his  men,  is  killed.  He  is  buried  on  Coleman's  point  at  Sandy 
Hook,  Sept.  6. 

The  Half  Moon  enters  New  York  harbor,  perceiving  it  to  be  safe 
from  severe  winds,  and  rides  at  anchor  for  the  night, 

(Old  style)  Sept.  9. 

At  2  o'clock  Henry  Hudson  weighs  anchor  in  order  to  begin  the 
ascent  of  the  river  bearing  his  name.  He  proceeds  two  leagues 
(about  six  miles)  against  the  wind,  and  anchors  again.  Here 
twenty-eight  canoes,  filled  with  Indians,  squaws  and  pappooses 
come  out  from  the  shore,  smoking  great  tobacco  pipes  of  yellow 
copper  and  bearing  earthen  pots  with  meat  therein.  Hudson 
secures  oysters  and  beans  by  barter  being  wary  of  their  actions 
as  savages,  (Old  style)  Sept.  12. 

Hudson  weighs  anchor  at  7  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  day  being  fair 
and  the  wind  northerly,  turning  four  miles  into  the  river,  when 
the  tide  being  done  he  anchors.  Four  canoes  draw  up  close,  but 
he  allows  no  one  to  come  aboard.  He  buys  great  stores  of 
oysters  for  trifles.  At  night  he  sets  the  variation  of  the  com- 
pass, finding  it  to  be  thirteen  degrees.  In  the  afternoon  he 
weighs  anchor  and  drifts  with  the  flood  tide  for  two  and  a  half 
leagues,  when,  at  a  high  point  of  land,  with  five  fathoms  of 
water,  he  anchors  for  the  night,  the  bottom  being  soft  ooze, 

(Old  style)    Sept.   13. 

"  The  fovr  teenth,  in  the  morning  being  very  faire  weather,  the 
wind  southeast,  we  sayled  vp  the  Riuer  twelue  leagues,  had  fiue 
fathoms  and  fiue  fathoms  and  a  quarter  lesse ;  and  came  to  a 
streight  between  two  points,  and  had  eight,  nine  and  ten  fath- 
oms :  and  it  trended  north-east  by  north,  one  league,  and  we  had 
twelue,  thirteene,  and  fourteene  fathoms.  The  Riuer  is  a  mile 
broad :  there  is  very  high  land  on  both  sides.  Then  wee  went  vp 
north-west,  a  league  and  an  halfe  deepe  water.  Then  north- 
east by  north  fiue  miles,  then  north-west  by  north  two  leagues, 
and  anchored.  The  land  grew  very  high  and  mountainous.  The 
river  is  full  of  fish,  '  (Old  style)  Sept.  14. 

"  The  fifteenth,  in  the  morning  was  misty  vntil  the  Sunne  arose : 
then  it  cleared.  So  wee  weighed  with  the  wind  at  south,  and 
ran  vp  into  the  Riuer,  twentie  leagues,  passing  by  high  Mount- 
ains. Wee  had  a  very  good  depth,  as  six,  seuen,  eight,  nine, 
twelue  and  thirteen  fathoms,  and  great  store  of  salmons  in  the 


lo  Founding. 

1609. 

Riuer.  This  morning  our  two  Sauages  got  out  of  a  port  and 
swam  away.  After  we  were  under  sayle  they  called  to  vs  in 
scorne.  At  night  we  came  to  other  Mountains,  which  lie  from 
the  Riuer  side.  There  we  found  very  louing  people,  and  very 
old  men :  where  wee  were  well  vsed.  Our  Boat  went  to  fish, 
and  caught  great  store  of  very  good  fish."  Sept.  15. 

"  The  sixteenth,  faire  and  very  hot  weather.  In  the  morning  our 
Boat  went  againe  to  fishing,  but  could  catch  but  few,  by  reason 
their  Canoes  had  beene  there  all  night.  This  morning  the  peo- 
ple came  aboord,  and  brought  vs  eares  of  Indian  Corne,  and 
Pompions,  and  Tobacco :  which  wee  bought  for  trifles.  Wee 
rode  still  all  day,  and  filled  fresh  water;  at  night  wee  weighed 
and  went  two  leagues  higher,  and  had  shoald  water :  so  wee 
anchored  till  day,"  Sept.  16. 

■'  The  seuenteenth,  faire  Sun-shining  weather,  and  very  hot.  In  the 
morning  as  soon  as  the  Sun  was  vp,  we  set  sayle,  and  run  up 
six  leagues  higher,  and  found  shoalds  in  the  middle  of  the 
channell.  and  small  Hands,  but  seuen  fathoms  water  on  both 
sides.  Toward  night  we  borrowed  so  neere  the  shoare,  that 
we  grounded :  so  we  layed  out  our  small  anchor,  and  heaued 
ofT  againe.  Then  we  borrowed  on  the  banke  in  the  channell, 
and  came  aground  againe :  while  the  floud  ran  we  heaued 
ofif  againe,  and  anchored  all  night."  Sept.  17. 

"  The  eighteenth,  in  the  morning  was  faire  weather,  and  we  rode 
still.  In  the  after-noone  our  Master's  Mate  went  on  land 
with  an  old  Sauage,  a  Gouernor  of  the  Countrey ;  who  carried 
him  to  his  house  and  made  him  good  clieere,"  Sept.  18. 

"  The  nineteenth,  was  faire  and  hot  weather :  at  the  flood,  being 
neere  eleuen  of  the  clocke,  we  weighed,  and  ran  higher  vp  two 
leagues  aboue  the  shoalds,  and  had  no  lesse  water  than  fiue 
fathoms :  we  anchored,  and  rode  in  eight  fathoms.  The 
people  of  the  countrie  came  flocking  aboord,  and  brought  vs 
Grapes,  and  Pompions,  which  we  bought  for  trifles.  And 
many  brought  vs  Beuers  skinnes,  and  Otters  skinnes,  which 
wee  bought  for  Beades,  Kniues,  and  Hatchets.  So  we  rode 
there  all  night,"  Sept.  19. 

"  The  twentieth,  in  the  morning  was  fare  weather.  Our  Masters 
Mate  with  four  men  more  went  vp  with  our  Boat  to  sound  the 
Riuer,  and  found  two  leagues  above  vs  but  two  fathoms 
water,  and  the  channell  very  narrow ;  and  aboue  that  place 
seuen  or  eight  fathoms.  Toward  night  they  returned ;  and 
we  rode  still  all  night,"  Sept.  20. 


^^^ 


■^feit^fea^^:.. 


Founding.  ii 

1609. 

"  The  one  and  twentieth  was  faire  weather,  and  the  wind  all 
southerly:  wee  determined  yet  once  more  to  goe  farther  up 
into  the  Riuer  to  trie  what  depth  and  breadth  it  did  beare ; 
but  much  people  resorted  aboord,  so  wee  went  not  this  day. 
Our  carpenter  went  on  land  and  made  a  fore-yard.  And  our 
Master  and  his  Mate  determined  to  trie  some  of  the  chiefe 
men  of  the  countrey,  whether  they  had  any  treacherie  in  them. 
So  they  took  them  down  into  the  cabbin,  and  gave  them  as 
much  wine  and  aqua  vitae,  that  they  were  all  merrie ;  and  one 
of  them  had  his  wife  with  him,  which  sat  so  modestly,  as  any 
of  our  countrey  women  would  do  in  a  strange  place.  In  the 
end  one  of  them  was  drunke,  which  had  been  aboord  of  our 
ship  all  the  time  that  wee  had  been  there:  and  that  was 
strange  to  them;  for  they  could  not  tell  how  to  take  it.  The 
canoes  and  folke  went  all  on  shoare ;  but  some  of  them  came 
againe.  and  brought  stropes  of  Beades :  some  had  six,  seuen.^ 
eight,  nine,  ten ;  and  gaue  him.     So  he  slept  all  night  quietly," 

Sept.  21. 
"  The  two  and  twentieth  was  faire  weather :      in  the  morning  our 
Masters  Mate  and  foure  more  of  the  companie  went  vp  with 
our  Boat  to  sound  the   riuer  higher  vp.     The   people   of  the 
countrey  came  not  aboord  till  noone :     but  when  they  came, 
and  saw  the   Sauages  well,  they  were  glad.      So  at  three  of 
the  clocke  in  the  after-noone  they  came  aboord,  and  brought 
Tabacco,  and  more  Beades,  and  gaue  them  to  our  Master,  and 
made  an  oration,  and  shewed  him  all  the  countrey  round  about. 
Then  thev  sent  one  of  their  companie  on  land,  who  presently 
returned,  and  brought  a  great  Platter  full  of  \'enison.  dressed 
by  themselues  ;  and  they  caused  him  to  eat  with  them  :     then 
tiiey  made  him  reuerence,  and  departed  all  saue  the  old  man 
that  lay  aboord.     This  night  at  ten  of  the  clocke.'  our  Boate 
returned  in  a  showre  of  raine  from  sounding  of  the  Riuer  :  and 
found  it  to  be  at  an  end  for  shipping  to  goe  in.     For  they  had 
beene  vp  eight  or  nine  leagues,  and  found  but  seuen  foot  water 
and  unconstant  soundings."  Sept.  22. 

Henry  Hudson's  log  makes  the  latitude  of  the  location  where  he  had 
been  at  anchor  for  four  days,  about  42  degree  40  minutes. 
The  latitude  of  Albany,  City  Hall  (Eagle  street  and  Maiden 
Lane)  is  42  degrees.  39  minutes.  6 -'-f,  seconds.  Evidently  he 
rode  at  anchor,  as  his  furthest  north  point  on  the  Hudson 
River,  at  a  place  somewhere  near  Cuyler  or  Pleasure  Island, 
if  his  l>earings  were  accurate  :  but  one  must  remember  that  even 
modern  reckonings  bv  sailors  mav  be  two  miles  from  the  true. 


12  Founding. 

1609. 

and  the  ancient  mariners  were  frequently  one-fourth  of  a  de- 
gree, or  about  15  miles,  out  of  the  way.  One  must  also  bear 
in  mind  that  42  degrees,  39  minutes,  6  j-o  seconds  at  the  City 
Hall  corner  does  not  mean  that  latitude  where  Maiden  Lane 
ends  at  the  river,  for  the  street  does  not  run  true  east  and  west ; 
but  would  be  nearer  the  foot  of  Steuben  street,  Sept.  22. 

"  The  three  and  twentieth  faire  weather.  At  twelue  of  the  clocke 
wee  weighed,  and  went  downe  two  leagues  to  a  shoal  that  had 
two  channells  (Castleton?)  one  on  the  one  side,  and  another 
on  the  other,  and  had  little  wind,  whereby  the  tide  layed  vs 
upon  it.  So,  there  wee  sate  on  the  ground  the  space  of  an 
houre  till  the  floude  came.  Then  wee  had  a  little  gale  of  wind 
at  the  west.  So  we  got  our  ship  into  deepe  water  and  rode 
all  night  very  well,"  Sept.  23. 

"  The  foure  and  twentieth  was  faire  weather :  the  winde  at  the 
north-west,  wee  weighed  and  went  downe  the  Riuer  seuen  or 
eight  leagues :  and  at  halfe  ebb  wee  came  on  ground  on  a 
bank  of  oze  in  the  middle  of  the  Riuer  (The  Plaaje,  off  Cats- 
kill?),  and  sate  there  till  floud.  Then  wee  went  on  land,  and 
gathered  good  store  of  chestnuts.  At  ten  of  the  clocke  wee 
came  off  into  deepe  water,  and  anchored,"  Sept.  24. 

"  The  five  and  twentieth  was  faire  weather,  and  the  wind  at  south 
a  stiffe  gale.  We  rode  still,  and  went  on  land  to  walke  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Riuer,  and  found  good  ground  for  Corne,  and 
other  garden  herbs,  with  great  store  of  goodly  oakes,  and 
walnut  trees,  and  chestnut  trees,  ewe  trees,  and  trees  of  sweet 
wood  in  great  abundance,  and  great  store  of  slate  for  houses, 
and  other  good  stones,"  Sept.  25. 

"  The  sixe  and  twentieth  was  faire  weather^  and  the  wind  at  south 
a  stiffe  gale,  we  rode  still.  In  the  morning  our  carpenter  went 
on  land  with  our  Masters  Mate,  and  foure  more  of  our 
companie  to  cut  wood.  This  morning  two  canoes  came  vp  the 
Riuer  from  the  place  where  we  first  found  louing  people, 
and  in  one  of  them  was  the  old  man  that  had  lyen  aboord  of 
vs  at  the  other  place.  He  brought  another  old  man  with  him, 
which  brought  more  stropes  of  beades,  and  gave  them  to  our 
Master,  and  shewed  him  all  the  countrey  there  about,  as  though 
it  were  at  his  command.  So  he  made  the  two  old  men  dine 
with  him,  and  the  old  mans  wife ;  for  they  brought  two  old 
women,  and  two  young  maidens  of  the  age  of  sixteene  or 
seuenteene  yeeres  with  them,  who  behaued  themselues  very 
modestly.  Our  Master  gaue  one  of  the  old  men  a  Knife,  and 
they  gaue  him  and  vs   Tabacco.     And  at  one  of  the  clocke 


Founding.  13 

1609. 

they  departed  downe  the  Riuer,  making  signes  that  wee  should 
come  downe  to  them;  fore  wee  were  w'ithin  two  leagues  of  the 
place  where  they  dwelt,"  Sept.  26. 

"At  seuen  and  twentieth,  in  the  morning  was  faire  weather,  but 
much  wind  at  the  north,  we  weighed  and  set  our  fore  top-sayle, 
and  our  ship  would  not  flat^  but  ran  on  the  ozie  bank  at  halfe 
ebbe.  Wee  layed  out  anchor  to  heaue  her  off,  but  could  not. 
So  wee  sate  from  halfe  floud :  then  wee  set  our  fore-sayle  and 
mayne  top-sayle,  and  got  down  sixe  leagues.  The  old  man 
came  aboord  and  would  have  had  vs  anchor,  and  goe  on  land 
to  eat  with  him :  but  the  wind  being  faire,  we  would  not 
yeeld  to  his  request.  So  hee  left  vs,  being  very  sorrowful  for 
our  departure.  At  fine  of  the  clocke  in  the  afternoone,  the 
wind  came  to  the  south-south-west.  So  wee  made  a  boord  or 
two,  and  anchored  in  fourteene  fathoms  water.  Then  our 
Boat  went  on  shoare  to  fish,  right  against  the  ship.  Our 
Masters  Mate  and  Boatswaine,  and  three  more  of  the  companie 
went  on  land  to  fish,  but  could  not  find  a  good  place.  They 
took  foure  or  fiue  and  twenty  Mullets,  Breames,  Bases,  and 
Barbils ;  and  returned  in  an  houre.     Wee  rode  still  all  night," 

Sept.  27. 

"  The  eight  and  twentieth  being  faire  weather,  as  soon  as  the  day 
was  light,  we  weighed  at  halfe  ebbe,  and  turned  downe  two 
leagues  belowe  water;  for  the  streame  doth  runne  the  last 
quarter  ebbe :  then  we  anchored  till  high  water.  At  three 
of  the  clocke  in  the  afternoone  wee  weighed,  and  turned  downe 
three  leagues,  vntil  it  was  darke;  then  wee  anchored," 

Sept.  28. 

"The  nine  and  twentieth  was  drie  close  weather:  the  wind  at 
south  and  south  by  west,  wee  weighed  early  in  the  morning, 
and  turned  downe  three  leagues  by  a  lowe  water,  and  anchored 
at  the  lower  end  of  the  long  Reach ;  for  it  is  sixe  leagues 
long.  Then  there  came  certain  Indians  in  a  canoe  to  vs,  but 
would  not  come  aboord.  After  dinner  there  came  the  canoe 
with  other  men,  whereof  three  came  aboord  vs.  They  brought 
Indian  wheat,  which  wee  bought  for  trifles.  At  three  of  the 
clocke  in  the  afternoone  we  weighed,  as  soon  as  the  ebbe  came, 
and  turned  downe  to  the  edge  of  the  Mountaines,  or  the 
northermost  of  the  Mountaines,  and  anchored :  because  the 
high  land  hath  many  points,  and  a  narrow  channell,  and  hath 
many  eddie  winds.  So  wee  rode  quietly  all  night  in  seuen 
fathoms  water,"  Sept.  29. 


14  Founding. 

1609. 

"  The  thirtieth  was  faire  weather,  and  the  wind  at  south-east  a 
stiffe  g-ale  between  the  Mountaines.  We  rode  still  the  after- 
noone.  The  people  of  the  countrey  came  aboord  vs,  and 
brought  some  small  skinnes  with  them,  which  we  bought  for 
kniues  and  trifles.  This  is  a  very  pleasant  place  to  build  a  towne 
on.  The  road  is  every  neere,  and  very  good  for  all  winds,  saue 
an  east-north-east  wind.  The  IMountaynes  look  as  if  some 
metall  or  minerall  were  in  them.  For  the  trees  that  grew  on 
them  were  all  blasted,  and  some  of  them  barren,  with  few  or 
no  trees  on  them.  The  people  brought  a  stone  aboord  like 
to  emery  (a  stone  vsed  by  glasiers  to  cut  glasse),  it  would 
cut  iron  or  Steele.  Yet  being  bruised  small,  and  water  put 
to  it,  it  made  a  colour  like  blacke  lead  glistening;  it  is  also 
good  for  painters  colours.  At  three  of  the  clocke  they  departed, 
and  we  rode  still  all  night,"  Sept.  30. 

"  The  first  of  October,  faire  weather,  the  winde  variable  betweene 
the  west  and  the  north.  In  the  morning  wee  weighed  at  seuen 
of  the  clocke  witli  the  ebbe,  and  got  downe  below  the  moun- 
taynes,  which  was  seuen  leagues.  Then  it  fell  calme  and  the 
flood  was  come,  and  wee  anchored  at  twelue  of  the  clocke. 
The  people  of  the  Mountaynes  came  aboord  vs,  wondering 
at  our  ship  and  weapons.  We  bought  some  small  skinnes  of 
them  for  trifles.  This  afternoone,  one  canoe  kept  hanging  vnder 
our  Sterne  with  one  man  in  it,  which  wee  could  not  keepe 
from  thence,  who  got  vp  by  our  rudder  to  the  cabin  window, 
and  stole  out  my  pillow  and  two  shirts,  and  two  bandeleeres. 
Our  master  shot  at  him,  and  strooke  him  on  the  brest,  and 
killed  him.  Whereupon  all  the  rest  fled  away,  some  in  their 
canoes,  and  some  leapt  out  of  them  into  the  water.  We  manned 
our  boat,  and  got  our  things  againe.  Then  one  of  them  that 
swamme  got  hold  of  our  boat,  thinking  to  overthrow  it.  But 
our  cooke  took  a  sword,  and  cut  ofif  one  of  his  hands,  and  he 
was  drowned.  By  this  time  the  ebbe  was  come,  and  wee 
weighed  and  got  downe  two  leagues,  by  that  time  it  was  darke. 
So  we  anchored  in  foure  fathomes  water,  and  rode  well," 

Oct.  I. 

"  The  seconde,  faire  weather.  At  break  of  day  wee  weighed,  the 
wind  being  at  north-west,  and  got  downe  seuen  leagues ; 
then  the  floud  was  come  strong,  so  we  anchored.  Then  came 
one  of  the  Sauages  that  swamme  from  vs  at  our  going  vp  the 
Riuer  with  many  other,  thinking  to  betray  vs.  But  wee 
perceived  their  intent,  and  svffered  none  of  them  to  enter  our 
ship.     Whereupon  two  canoes  full  of  men,  with  their  bowes 


Founding.  15 

1609. 

and  arrowes  shot  at  vs  after  our  sterne :  in  reconipence  whereof 
wee  discharged  sixe  muskets,  and  killed  two  or  three  of  them. 
Then  aboue  an  hundred  of  them  came  to  a  point  of  land  to  shoot 
at  vs.  There  I  shot  a  falcon  at  them,  and  killed  two  of  them : 
whereupon  the  rest  fled  into  the  woods.  Yet  they  manned  off 
another  canoe  with  nine  or  ten  men,  which  came  to  meet  vs. 
So  I  shot  at  it  also  a  falcon,  and  shot  it  throutjh  and  killed 
one  of  them.  Then  our  men  with  their  muskets  killed  three  or 
foure  more  of  them.  So  they  went  their  way ;  within  a  while 
after,  wee  got  downe  two  leagues  beyond  that  place,  and 
anchored  in  a  bay.  cleere  from  all  danger  of  them  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Riuer,  where  w^ee  saw  a  very  good  piece  of  ground : 
and  hard  by  it  there  was  a  cliffe,  that  looked  of  the  colour  of 
a  white  greene,  as  though  it  were  either  copper,  or  siluer  myne: 
and  I  think  it  to  be  one  of  them  by  the  trees  thai  grow  vpon 
it.  For  they  be  all  burned,  and  the  other  places  are  greene 
as  grasse,  it  is  on  that  side  of  the  Riuer  that  is  called  Manna- 
hatta.  There  wee  saw  no  people  to  trouble  vs :  and  rode 
quietly  all  night;  but  had  much  wind  and  raine,"  Oct.  2,  1609. 

"  The  third,  was  very  stormie ;  the  wind  at  east-north-east.  In  the 
morning,  in  a  gust  of  wind  and  raine,  our  anchor  came  home, 
and  wee  droue  on  ground,  but  it  was  ozie.  Then  as  we  were 
about  to  haue  out  an  anchor,  the  wind  came  to  the  north- 
north-west,  and  droue  vs  ofif  againe.  Then  wee  shot  an  anchor, 
and  let  it  fall  in  foure  fathomes  water,  and  w^eighed  the  other. 
Wee  had  much  wind  and  raine,  with  thicke  weather,  so  wee 
rode  still  all  night,"  Oct.  3. 

"The  fourth,  was  faire  weather,  and  the  wind  at  north-north-west, 
wee  weighed  and  came  out  of  the  Riuer,  into  wliich  wee  had 
runne  so  farre.  Within  a  while  after  wee  came  out  also  of 
the  great  mouth  of  the  great  Riuer,  that  runneth  vj)  to  the 
north-west,  borrowing  vpon  the  norther  side  of  the  same,  think- 
ing it  to  haue  deepe  water :  for  wee  had  sounded  a  great  way 
with  our  boat  at  our  first  going  in,  and  found  seuen,  sixe,  and 
fine  fathomes.  So  wee  came  out  that  way.  but  wee  were 
deceiued,  for  wee  had  but  eight  foot  and  an  halfe  water :  and 
so  to  three,  fine,  three,  and  two  fathomes  and  an  halfe.  And 
then  three,  foure.  fine,  sixe,  seuen,  eight,  nine  and  ten  fathomes. 
And  by  twelue  of  the  clocke  we  were  cleere  of  all  the  inlet. 
Then  wee  took  in  our  boat,  and  set  our  mayne-sayle  and  sprit- 
sayle,  and  our  top-sayles.  and  steered  away  east-south-east, 
and  south-east  by  east,  off  into  the  mayne  sea :  and  the  land 
on  the  souther  side  of  the  bay  or  inlet,  did  beare  at  noone  west 
and  by  south  foure  leagues  from  vs,"  Oct.  4. 


i6  Founding. 

1609-1614. 


"  The  fifth,  was  faire  weather,  and  the  wind  variable  between  the 
north  and  the  east.  Wee  held  on  our  course  south-east  by  east. 
At  noone  I  observed  and  found  our  height  to  bee  39  degrees 
30  minutes.      Our  compasse  varied  sixe  degrees  to  the  west," 

Oct.  5. 

"  We  continued  our  course  toward  England,  without  seeing  any 
land  by  the  way  all  this  moneth,"  Oct.  i. 

"  On  the  seuenth  day  of  November,  stilo  nouo,  being  Saturday, 
by  the  Grace  of  God,  we  safely  arriued  in  the  Range  of  Dart- 
mouth, in  Deuonshire,"  Nov.  7. 


1610. 

Some  of  Hudson's  crew,  impressed  by  the  abundance  of  everything 
they  had  seen  along  the  Grande  (Hudson's)  river,  persuade 
Amsterdam  merchants  of  the  advantage  of  sending  a  vessel 
there  to  exchange  Holland  manufactures  for  skins,  and  they 
do  so.  The  Maquaas  (Mohawk  Indians)  pointing  out  to  them 
on  their  arrival  the  remains  of  the  chateau  on  Castle  Island 
that  had  been  started,  they  making  notes  of  the  measurements. 

Henry  Hudson  sails  on  his  third  voyage  across  the  Atlantic,  hoping 
to  find  a  northwest  passage,  and  he  enters  Hudson  Strait  and 
Hudson  Bay,  the  Discovery  wintering  in  Jacques  Bay. 


1611. 

Henry  Hudson,  when  about  to  return  to  Holland,  experiences  a 
mutiny  on  his  vessel ;  his  crew  bind  him,  and  with  eight  others 
he  is  set  afloat  in  a  small  boat  on  Hudson  Bay,  never  to  be 
heard  from  afterwards,  June  23. 


1614. 

A  manuscript  map,  three  feet  long,  made  this  year  (or  possibly  two 
years  earlier)  probably  by  one  of  Henry  Hudson's  companions, 
and  styled  the  "  Carte  Figurative,"  is  attached  to  a  petition  of 
a  number  of  Dutch  merchants,  syndicated  together,  requesting 


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Founding.  17 

1614-1615. 

the  States-General  to  issue  a  license  granting-  to  them  the  ex- 
clusive privilege  of  trading  along  the  Mauritius  (Hudson) 
River.  It  shows  "  Fort  Nassoureen  '"  on  an  island  far  up  the 
"  Riviere  vanden  Vorst  Mauritius/'  to  the  east  of  a  settlement 
of  the  "  Maquaas,"  or  Mohawk  Indians,  on  the  river  of  that 
name. 
The  Lords  States-General  of  Holland  grant  a  special  license  to  a 
number  of  Dutch  fur-traders  to  make  four  trips  within  the 
space  of  three  years  from  Jan.  i,  161 5,  or  earlier,  to  Nieu 
Nederlandt,  with  exclusive  right  to  traffic  with  the  natives, 
the  Dutchmen  uniting  in  one  company  for  the  purpose,  and 
stated  in  the  document  as  follows :  "  Gerrit  Jacob  Witsen, 
former  burgomaster  of  the  City  of  Amsterdam,  Jones  Witsen 
and  Simon  Morissen,  owners  of  the  ship  called  Bet  Vosje 
(Little  Fox),  Captain  Jarn  de  Witt,  master;  Hans  Hongers, 
Paul  Pelgrom  and  Lambrecht  van  Tweenhuysen,  owners  of 
the  two  ships  called  the  Tiger  and  the  Fortune,  Captains 
Adriaen  Block  and  Hendrick  Corstiaensen,  masters ;  Arnoudt 
van  Lyberg,  Wessel  Schenck,  Hans  Claessen  and  Barens 
Sweetsen,  owners  of  the  ship  Nochtegael  (Nightingale), Captain 
Thuys  Volckertsen,  merchant  in  the  city  of  Amsterdam,  master ; 
and  Pieter  Clementsen  Brouwer,  Jan  Clementsen  Kies,  and 
Cornelis  Volkertsen,  merchants  in  the  city  of  Hoorn,  owners 
of  the  ship  the  Fortune,  Captain  Cornelis  Jacobsen  Mey, 
master,"  given  under  seal  and  signature  of  the  secretary  at 
The  Hague,  Oct.  1 1 


1615. 


The  Dutch  company  of  fur-traders  send  Hendrick  Corstiaensen  of 
Amsterdam,  an  expert  navigator,  to  the  Grande  (Hudson's) 
river,  now  named  De  Riviere  van  den  Vorst  Mauritius,  or 
Prince  Maurice's  River. 

Hendrick  Corstiaensen  removes  the  debris  collected  in  the  ruins  of 
the  old  French  fur-traders'  fort  or  store-house  of  1540,  on 
Castle  Island  (Van  Rensselaer)  south  of  the  city  and  bordering 
the  w^estern  bank,  and  rebuilds  it,  calling  it  Fort  Nassouw  or 
Fort  Nassau,  in  honor  of  Prince  Maurice,  Prince  of  Nassau- 
Orange.  Its  length  is  36  feet  and  its  breadth  26  feet ;  around 
it  a  strong  stockade,   50   feet  square,   encircled  by  a  moat   18 


l8  FOUXDIXG. 

1615-1620. 


feet  wide,  the  defense  consisting  of  two  pieces  of  cannon  and 
II  guns  to  hurl  stone  in  default  of  cannon-balls,  mounted  on 
swivels,  the  garrison  consisting  of  12  men. 


1616. 

Hendrick  Corstiaensen  is  shot  dead  by  a  man  named  Orson,  from 
Holland,  who  had  accompanied  Adriaen  Block,  a  Dutch  navi- 
gator, to  Fort  Nassau  and  who  had  frequently  manifested  a  re- 
sentment toward  his  superior,  described  by  the  historian,  Nic- 
olaes  a  Wassenaer,  of  Amsterdam,  as  "  an  exceedingly  malig- 
nant wretch ;  "  but  he  is  in  turn  shot  as  he  seeks  to  get  out  of 
range. 

Jacob  Jacobz  Eelkens,  subordinate  officer  under  the  late  Corstiaen- 
sen, is  given  command  of  Fort  Nassau. 


1618. 


The  exclusive  right  to  trade  at  Fort  Nassau  on  the  Mauritius 
(Hudson)  River,  given  on  Jan.  i,  1615,  by  the  Lords  States- 
General,  expires,  Jan.  i. 

Fort  Nassau,  built  by  Corstiaensen  on  Castle  (Van  Rensselaer) 
Island  in  161 5  is  wrecked  by  the  freshet,  and  is  abandoned 
forever  bv  the  Dutch. 


1620. 

Some  English  Puritans  at  Leyden  make  known  to  the  Holland 
merchants  trading  in  America  through  Rev.  John  Robinson, 
their  desire  to  go  to  the  new  country  as  colonists  if  given 
protection,  and  these  merchants  write  to  the  Prince  of  Orange 
expressive  of  the  wish,  and  also  forward  a  memorial  to  the 
same  effect  to  the  Lords  States-General,  February. 

The  Pilgrims  who  desired  protection  of  Holland  if  they  settled 
along  the  Hudson  River  at  the  sites  of  Albany  or  New  York, 
not  receiving  a  reply  to  their  petition,  set  sail  for  New  England, 
and  arrive  at  Plymouth,  Dec.  21. 


Founding.  19 

1621-1623. 


1621. 


The  Dutch  West  India  Company  given  charter  under  the  seal  of  the 
Lords  States-General  of  Holland,  June  3. 

The  charter  given  the  Dutch  West  India  Co.  on  June  3rd  confers 
on  that  corporation  from  this  day,  through  a  period  of  24  years, 
the  exclusive  privilege  of  trading  on  the  African  coast,  in  the 
West  Indies  and  in  America;  the  right  to  make  contracts  with 
parties  and  alliances  with  nations  concerned  in  the  countries 
named,  and  should  troops  be  required  the  Lords  States-General 
would  furnish,  but  the  company  pay  the  expense  of  the  same, 

lulv  I. 


1622. 

French  Protestants  at  Amsterdam,  called  Walloons,  who  had 
escaped  persecutions  of  the  Spanish  Inquisition  by  fleeing  and 
settling  in  the  southern  Belgic  provinces,  Hainault,  Luxemburg 
and  Namur,  were  an  industrious  lot  and  liked  by  the  Dutch. 
Their  petition,  that  60  families,  or  about  600  persons,  be  per- 
mitted to  sail  to  the  English  colony  in  Virginia,  is  signed  by 
Jesse  de  Forest  and  is  sent  to  the  British  ambassador  at  The 
Hague,  Feb.  5. 


1623. 

The  Dutch  West  India  Company,  hearing  of  the  desire  of  the 
Walloons  to  settle  in  the  English  colony  in  Virginia,  persuades 
them  that  the  opportunities  are  superior  in  New  Nether- 
land,  and  they  agree;  but  there  is  doubt  whether  the  King  of 
Spain,  claiming  the  whole  country,  will  not  oppose  their  land- 
ing, and  fear  it  will  be  necessary  to  erect  forts  for  their  pro- 
tection. 

The  Dutch  vessel.  Mackerel,  sails  from  Holland  for  New  Nether- 
land,  June  16. 

The  Lords  States-General  approve  the  rules  of  the  Dutch  West 
India  Co.  (chartered  June  3,  1621)  and  the  latter  body  legally 
is  prepared  to  proceed  with  colonization,  June  21. 

The  Mackerel  arrives  on  this  side  and  anchors  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Mauritius  (Hudson)  River  for  the  winter,  Dec.  12. 


20  Founding. 

1624. 

1624. 


Tlie  Walloons,  to  the  number  of  30  families,  embark  aboard  the 
Nieu  Nederlandt,  a  vessel  of  130  lasts,  of  which  Cornelis 
Jacobsen  Mey  (or  May),  of  Hoorn  is  captain,  and  sail  from 
x\msterdam,  March. 

The  Nieu  Nederlandt  reaches  the  Canary  Islands,  and  gaining  the 
trade  winds,  stands  for  the  Bahamas,  April. 

The  Nieu  Nederlandt.  having  passed  between  the  Bahamas  and 
Bermuda  Islands,  steered  up  the  coast,  and  passes  in  at  Sand- 
punt  (Sandy  Hook),  anchoring  in  the  bay  of  the  Mauritius 
(Hudson)  River,  where  Captain  Mey  is  much  surprised  to  see 
a  vessel  with  the  flag  of  France  near  the  Dutch  vessel,  the 
Mackerel,  May. 

Captain  Mey  learns  that  the  Frenclniian  had  come  to  erect  the  arms 
of  the  King  of  France  at  that  place  (Manhattan),  and,  asserting 
the  authority  of  the  Charter  of  the  Lords  States-General  of 
Holland,  he  unites  wdth  the  Mackerel  in  manning  a  yacht  to 
convo)'  the  Frenchman  from  the  river.  May. 

Captain  ]\Iey  of  the  Nieu  Nederlandt  lands  some  of  the  Walloons 
at  the  island  of  Mannatans  (Manhattan)  and  with  the  rest, 
about  18  families,  sails  up  the  river  to  the  locality  of  the 
Maquaas  (Mohawks)  and  ]\Iohegans.  the  former  at  the  con- 
fluence of  Mohawk  and  Hudson  rivers,  mostly  on  the  south 
side  and  on  the  islands,  and  the  latter  across  the  river  opposite 
the  site  of  Albany,  landing  them  on  a  plain  north  of  Castle 
(\^an  Rensselaer)  Island,  and  to  the  east  of  gradually  sloping 
hills,  '        >.Iay. 

The  newly  arrived  colonists  hew  trees  with  which  to  make  hmnblc 
huts  for  temporary  shelter,  and  plant  their  corn  upon  the  sandy 
plain,  enriched  by  centuries  of  alluvial  deposit  from  the  river 
in  the  spring,  making  a  covenant  of  peaceful  equity  with  the 
neighboring  Indians,  June- 

While  some  are  building  homes,  others  engage  in  constructing  a 
fort,  which  they  name  Fort  Orange,  in  honor  of  ^Maurice. 
Prince  of  Orange,  a  principality,  9x12  miles  in  area,  in  south- 
eastern France,  situate  along  the  east  bank  of  the  Rhone  River, 
then  in  possession  of  the  House  of  Nassau,  June. 

Adriaen  Jorise  made  commander  of  Fort  Orange  and  Daniel  van 
Krieckebeek  the  commissary,  J'^i'y- 

The  Mackerel  arrives  back  at  Amsterdam,  loaded  with  many  furs, 
and   bearing  the   report  of   Captain   ]\ley   on   the   colony,   also 


PRINCE  OF  ORANGE. 

No  sooner  had  the  colonists  arrived  on  the  Nieu  Nederlandt  from 
Amsterdam,  at  site  of  Albany,  in  May,  1624,  than  they  began  erecting  a 
fort  (Steamboat  Square)  named  Fort  Orange,  after  Prince  Maurice. 


Founding.  21 

1624-1625. 


letters  from  the  Walloon  settlers,  an  example  of  which,  exciting 
the  interest  of  the  Dutch  to  come  to  the  new  land,  reads; 
"  We  were  greatly  surprised  when  we  arrived  in  this  country. 
Here  we  found  beautiful  rivers,  bubbling  streams  flowing  dow'/i 
into  the  valleys,  pools  of  running  water  in  the  meadows, 
palatable  fruits  in  the  forests,  strawberries,  pigeon-berries, 
walnuts  and  wild  grapes.  Acorns  for  feeding  hogs  are  plenti- 
ful in  the  w^oods,  as  is  also  venison,  and  there  are  large  fish 
in  the  rivers.  The  land  is  good  for  farming.  Here  is  especi- 
ally the  liberty  of  coming  and  going  without  fear  of  the  naked 
natives  of  the  country.  Had  we  cows,  hogs,  and  other  animals 
fit  for  food,  (which  we  daily  expect  in  the  first  ship,)  we 
would  not  wish  to  return  to  Holland,  for  whatever  we  desire 
in  the  paradise  of  Holland  is  found  here.  If  you  will  come 
here  with  your  family,  you  will  not  regret  it,"     August,  1624. 

During  the  fall,  the  colonists  observe  for  the  first  time  the  workings 
of  the  beavers  in  making  their  winter  homes,  which  being  in 
streams,  they  make  accessible  to  themselves  during  the  coldest 
of  those  months  by  damming  the  creeks,  Normanskill,  Foxen- 
kill,  Ruttenkill,  and  others  coursing  down  the  valleys,  so  that 
the  stream  will  not  freeze  to  the  bottom  because  of  the  depth 
of  water  they  secure,  and  thus,  with  an  opening  at  the  bottom 
of  the  hut  or  dome-shaped  lodge,  they  can  follow  an  under- 
ground waterway  to  a  convenient  place  on  shore.  In  such 
places  where  the  current  is  swift,  they  notice  that  their  dams 
formed  the  letter  "  V,"  with  the  point  upstream,  thus  to  break 
the  force  of  tiie  water  or  ice,  but  otherwise  in  a  direct  line 
from  bank  to  bank.  The  trees  of  their  lodges  they  perceive 
were  usually  six  Inches  thick,  posts  which  they  had  gnawed 
pyramidal,  until  the  tree  would  fall,  and  the  mass  usually 
reached  six  feet,  m  which  two  couples  would  make  their  home, 
and  iti  the  tollowing  May  bring  forth  two  to  four  young  for 
each  mated  couple,  September. 

The  Nieu  Nederlandt  sails  from  Fort  Orange,  the  harvest  being 
well  advanced,  with   1,500  beaver  and  500  otter  skins, 

November. 


1625. 


The  Dutch  West  India  Company  constitutes  William  Verhulst  resi- 
dent-director for  the  year,  taking  into  account  the  river  being 
frozen  over  and  Captain  Aley  absent  on  a  voyage. 


22  Founding. 

1625-1626. 


Forty-five  emigrants,  excited  by  the  news  of  the  wonderful  pro- 
ductivity of  the  new  land  in  America  along  the  Hudson,  register 
with  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  and  they  are  sent  over, 
together  with  agricultural  implements,  horses,  swine,  etc.,  in 
the  spring. 


1  626. 


The  Dutch  West  India  Company  decides  to  plant  a  colony  on  the 
island  at  the  mouth  of  the  IMauritius  (Hudson)  River,  and 
purchases  the  entire  island  (Manhattan)  from  the  Indians  for 
6o  guilders,   equivalent  to  $24,  April. 

Peter  Minuit,  of  Wesel,  arrives  from  Holland  and  becomes  fourth 
director  for  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  in  New  Nether- 
land,  making  his  headquarters  on  Manhattan   Island, 

May  4. 

The  southern  point  of  Manhattan  Island  is  selected  as  a  site  for  a 
fort,  the  company's  engineer  staking  it  out,  and  close  at  hand 
thirty  bark  cabins  are  built  by  the  Dutch  settlers,  the  popula- 
tion of  all  the  settlements  in  New  Netherland  at  this  time  being 
about  two  hundred,  June. 

Jan  Huyck  and  Sebastiaen  Jansen  Crol  (or  Krol)  act  as  the  kranck- 
besoeckers  (sick-comforters)  or  clergy  for  the  colony  at  New 
Amsterdam   (Manhattan,  New  York  city),  J^ly- 

The  settlement  of  Fort  Orange  seriously  thinned  out  this  year  be- 
cause of  the  scare  resulting  from  a  fight  between  the  Mohegans 
(Mohicans)  on  the  top  of  the  hill  opposite  (site  of  Albany) 
and  the  Maquaas  (Mohawks)  to  the  west  of  Fort  Orange,  many 
of  the  few  inhabitants  sailing  down  the  river  to  dwell  at  New 
Amsterdam.  The  Mohegans  of  the  palisaded  fort  made  over- 
tures to  Van  Krieckebeek,  commander  of  Fort  Orange  garrison, 
to  aid  them,  which  he  did,  taking  6  soldiers  along  with  them ; 
but  they  were  repulsed  when  a  mile  west  of  Fort  Orange  (about 
the  site  of  Buttermilk  Falls,  Beaver  Park  and  Delaware  ave.) 
by  a  band  of  Mohawks  in  ambuscade,  three  of  the  Dutch  com- 
mander's men  and  himself  being  among  the  many  slain,  and 
one  of  these,  Tymen  Bouwensen,  the  Mohawks  roasted  and  de- 
voured ;  the  others  they  simply  burned,  and  Commander  Van 
Krieckebeek  is  buried  with  the  two  others  bv  his  side.       Thf 


Founding.  23 

1626-  1629. 


Mohawks  "  carry  a  leg  and  an  arm  to  their  home  to  be  divided 
among  their  families  as  a  proof  they  had  conquered  their  ene- 
mies." August. 

Peter  Minuit,  in  May  of  this  year,  succeeded  William  Verhulst  as 
the  fourth  to  command  the  settlers  at  New  Amsterdam,  and  on 
this  day  The  Arms  of  Amsterdam  sails  for  Holland  bearing  a 
letter  with  the  statement  that  he  had  bought  Manhattan  Island 
("manatey,"  island;  "  manhattanis,"  those  who  dwell  on  an 
island)  from  the  Delawares,  a  strong  branch  of  the  powerful 
Lenni-Lenape  confederacy,  for  60  guilders  in  beads  and  ribbons, 
equal  in  value  to  $24,  Sept.  23. 

P.  Schagen  writes  to  their  High  and  Mightinesses  that  The  Arms  of 
Amsterdam  had  arrived  the  previous  day  with  the  news  that 
Manhattan  Island  had  been  bought  for  $24  in  beads  from  the 
Indians  by  Peter  Minuit,  Director  of  New  Netherland,    Nov.  5. 


1  627. 


The  Mohawks  and  Mohicans  continue  their  warfare  between  the 
Mohawk  (at  Schenectady)  and  for  a  few  miles  east  of  the  Hud- 
son River,  opposite  site  of  Albany,  as  far  as  Kinderhook,  to  the 
east. 


1  628. 


The  Indian  warfare  at  this  place  ceases,  the  Mohawks  becoming  the 
conquerors,  and  driving  the  survivors  of  the  Mohicans  to  the 
Connecticut  River. 


1  629. 


The  Dutch  West  India  Company  decides  that  it  had  been  at  great 
expense  in  establishing  fur-trading  settlement  in  New  Nether- 
land (New  York  state),  with  forts,  garrisons  and  ships  con- 
suming the  profits,  and  discontinues  sending  settlers. 


V4  Founding. 

1629-1630. 


The  Dutch  West  India  Company,  forsaking  the  settlement  poHcy,. 
adopts  the  idea  of  allowing  patroons  to  divide  the  land  into 
manorial  grants,  and  the  Lords  States-General  at  The  Hague, 
Holland,  ratifies  the  plan,  which  provides  that  a  person  desiring 
to  establish  a  manor  shall  first  notify  the  company  and  then, 
within  the  space  of  four  years,  settle  upon  the  land  selected  at 
least  fifty  persons  of  at  least  the  age  of  fifteen  years ;  but  the 
land  could  not  be  taken  possession  of  until  the  Indian  owners 
had  received  satisfactory  compensation,  whereupon  he  obtains 
full  ownership  and  the  right  to  dispose  of  the  same ;  the  com- 
mand to  be  vested  in  the  Patroon,  and  no  one  should  be  allowed 
to  hunt  or  fish,  or  own  mills  along  the  streams  without  obtain- 
ing the  Patroon's  consent;  Patroons  might  trade  along  the 
coast  in  merchandise  other  than  skins,  which  the  company  re- 
served as  a  business  to  itself ;  but  their  vessels  on  returning  with 
goods  must  pay  a  duty  of  5%  to  the  West  India  Company; 
should  the  colonists  weave  woolen  or  other  stufifs,  they  would 
be  banished,  June  7. 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  a  pearl  and  diamond  merchant,  and  director 
of  the  Amsterdam  chamber,  is  the  first  to  take  advantage  of  the 
opportunity  to  develop  a  colony  under  the  new  privilege  of  the 
Dutch  West  India  Company,  and  it  formally  confers  on  him  the 
right  to  plant  a  colony  in  New  Netherland,  Nov.  19. 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  writes  from  Amsterdam  to  Sebastiaen  Jan- 
sen  Crol,  at  Fort  Orange,  to  purchase  a  tract  of  land  for  him 
from  the  Mohawks,  November. 


1630. 


Gillis  van  Schendel  is  paid  by  the  Van  Rensselaers  6  Rix  dollars  for 
making  one  parchment  map  and  four  duplicates  on  paper,  of 
the  place  selected  by  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  for  his  colony, 
which  map  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  uses  in  inducing  people  to 
cross  the  water  to  form  his  colony,  Feb.  8. 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  having  raised  his  quota  of  men  required 
by  their  charter  to  form  a  colony  on  his  Manor,  they  sail  from 
Holland  on  the  ship  Unity,  which  Jan  Brouwer  commands, 

March  21. 

The  ship  Unity  arrives  at  Fort  Amsterdam  (Manhattan)  and  pro- 
ceeds up  the  river  to  Fort  Orange  to  found  Rensselaerswyck, 

May  24. 


PATROON  KILIAEN  VAN  RENSSELAER. 

He  bought  from  the  Indians  his  important  tract  that  included  the  site  of 
Albany,  on  July  2-],  1630,  through  his  agent  here.  (Oil  portrait  owned  in 
1906  by  Dr.  Howard  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.) 


Founding.  25 

16  30. 

Patroon  Kiliaen  A'an  Rensselaer  having  authorized  Sebastiaen  J. 
Crol  to  buy  land  for  him,  he  selects  it  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
Hudson  (site  of  Albany),  and  signs  papers  with  tiie  Mohawks 
acquiring  land  from  Fort  Orange  northward  to  an  east  and 
west  line  a  little  south  of  the  Indian  Moenemines  Castle^  close 
to  the  Cohoes  Falls,  likewise  for  the  large  tract  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Hudson  River,  opposite  Fort  Orange,  "  from  Peta- 
nock,  the  Molenkill,  northward  to  Negagonse,  in  extent  there 
about  three  Dutch  miles,"  July  27. 

Commander  Sebastiaen  Jansen  Crol  points  out  the  land  he  had 
bought  for  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  from  the  Mohawks,  where 
the  emigrants  are  to  settle  and  found  the  Manor  of  Rensselaers- 
wyck,  June   i . 

Roelof  Jansen,  with  his  wife  Anneke  Jansen  (Anna,  as  she  some- 
times wrote  it,  later  the  owners  of  the  Trinity  Church  property 
in  New  York  city)  comes  to  Rensselaerswyck  with  the  emi- 
grants sent  over  by  Patroon  Van  Rensselaer  to  be  employed  as 
his  farmer  for  a  term  of  six  years  at  180  guilders  (about  ^72) 
a  year. 

The  Patroon's  first  farm  cultivated  was  placed  in  charge  of  Wolfert 
Gerrittsen  as  opper-bouwmeester  (chief  farm-master),  he  re- 
ceiving 20  guilders  ($8)  and  board  per  month,  and  he  was  to 
be  assisted  by  bouwknecht  (farmhand),  paid  anywhere  from 
25  to  120  guilders  ($10  to  $48)  a  year,  the  poorer  being  obli- 
gated to  pay  the  Patroon  for  clothing  advanced  a  certain  portion 
of  the  produce,  and  they  live  in  huts  until  the  Patroon  erects 
ordinary  dwellings,  the  rental  of  a  farm  with  dwelling  being 
from  about  $120  to  $200  yearly,  payable  in  beaver-skins  or 
seawant,  or  a  tenth  of  the  grain  raised  with  half  the  increase  of 
cattle,  fat  fowl,  butter,  also  the  cutting  of  a  specified  amount  of 
wood  and  certain  number  of  days  of  labor;  bargaming  that 
property  of  a  tenant  dying  intestate  reverted  to  the  Patroon, 
the  Patroon  had  the  right  to  purchase  cattle  or  grain  of  tenants 
before  anyone  else,  and  grain  must  be  ground  at  the  Patroon's 
mill ;  all  disputes  must  be  settled  by  court  of  the  Manor  without 
right  to  further  appeal,  2  gerechts-persoonen  (magistrates)  and 
the  commissary-general  forming  the  court,  its  other  officers 
being  the  schout  (sheriff)  and  scherprechter  (hangman). 

The  Director  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  sign  for  Kiliaen  \^an 
Rensselaer  the  deed  by  which  the  Indians  transfer  the  land  on 
which  Albany  is  built,  in  consideration  of  "  certain  parcels  of 
goods,"  Aug.  13. 


26  Founding. 

1631-1633. 


163  1. 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  forms  a  limited  partnership  with  Samuel 
Godyn  Johannes  de  Laet  and  Samuel  Blommaert  of  the 
Amsterdam  Chamber  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company, 

Gillis  Hossett  confers  with  the  Indians  encamped  near  Fort 
Orange,  and  they  convey  to  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  the  Sanck- 
hagag  tract  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Hudson,  from  Beeren 
(Bears)  Island  northward  to  Smacks  Island,  "  two  days'  journey 
inland  "  broad,  April  i8. 


1632. 


John  Alason  writes  to  Secretary  Coke  that  the  Dutch  at  Fort  Orange 
and  Manhattan  Island  will  not  heed  the  admonishings  of  the 
English  colony  at  Plymouth  who  had  settled  on  the  coast  De- 
cember 21,  1620,  but  persist  in  making  more  and  more  Dutch 
settlements,  against  all  royal  (English)  grant,  along  the  Hud- 
son River,  villifying  them  when  told  that  they  must  not  do  so, 
and  tauntingly  praising  Holland,  April  2. 


1633. 


London  merchants  infringe  upon  the  rights  of  the  West  India  Com- 
pany by  sending  a  ship  under  Jacob  Eelkens,  who  had  previously 
commanded  at  Fort  Nassau,  April. 

The  Englishmen's  ship,  the  William,  arrives  at  the  Fort  Orange 
wharf,  and  the  commander  of  the  fort,  Hans  Jorissen  Houten, 
sends  an  officer  to  inquire  her  object  in  coming,  it  being  the 
first  English  vessel  to  arrive  at  the  Dutch  colony,  and  learns 
they  propose  to  barter  for  furs.  Captain  Trevor  claiming  that 
the  territory  belonged  to  Great  Britain,  based  on  the  1497  dis- 
covery of  the  Cabots  as  well  as  the  grant  by  Queen  Elizabeth  in 
1584  to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh;  but  he  is  admonished  to  depart. 
Captain  Trevor  appears  to  obey  Commander  Houten ;  but  sails 
only  a  short  distance  down  the  river  when  he  casts  anchor 
near  the  west  bank,  where  he  pitches  a  tent,  and  the  Indians 
who  had  known  Eelkens  in  past  years,  flock  there  to  trade, 

April. 


Founding.  27 

1633-1636. 


The  colonists  of  the  West  India  Company  are  surprised  at  the  act 
of  the  EngHshmen,  and  feehng  unahlc  to  cope  with  their  force, 
conckide  that  the  best  means  is  to  set  up  a  tent  nearby  in  com- 
petition, berating  the  quaHty  of  the  Enghsh  goods  and  selhng 
lower,  April. 

Wouter  van  Twiller  arrives  as  the  Director  for  the  Dutch  West 
India  Company  at  New  Amsterdam  (New  York  city)  and  as- 
sumes charge,  April. 


1  634. 


The  trapping  of  beavers  and  otters  for  their  skins  is  active  at  this 
time,  engaging  the  attention  of  everyone  in  the  colony  except- 
ing those  who  were  occupied  with  tilling  the  soil,  it  being 
necessary  to  produce  crops.  Sawmills,  to  provide  timber  for 
building  more  houses,  smithies  and  toolmakers  or  repairers  like- 
wise finding  much  business,  while  the  selling  of  liquor  was  con- 
ducted extensively,  with  possibly  more  customers  among  the 
Indians  coming  into  the  settlements  to  trade  than  among  the 
Dutch  themselves. 


1  635. 


There  is  much  reaching  out  for  land  by  those  who  had  the  means 
to  purchase,  but  there  are  few  sufficiently  wealthy  to  attempt 
to  secure  a  tract,  confining  their  immediate  aspirations  to  a  lot 
or  small  farm.  Among  the  rich,  or  those  who  represented 
foreign  capital,  it  becomes  a  question  who  will  be  able  to  secure 
tracts  measured  by  miles  while  it  may  be  secured  from  the 
Indians  for  a  bagful  of  imitation  wampum,  knives  or  a  few 
axes,  in  fact  a  farm  over  which  a  man  might  not  walk  in  a  day 
might  be  had  not  far  from  Fort  Orange  by  going  to  the  north- 
east or  westward,  for  the  equivalent  of  a  thousand  dollars. 


1636. 


Roelof  Jansen  and  wife,  Anneke,  who  had  come  from  Maesterlandt, 
Holland,  and  settled  on  a  Rensselaerswyck  farm  as  one  of  the 
Manor  colonists,  obtain  letters-patent  for  31  morgens  of  farm 


28  Founding. 

1636-  1638. 


land  at  New  Amsterdam  on  Manhattan  Island  (about  62  acres) 
from  Director-General  Van  Twiller.  (Later  this  becomes  con- 
tested ground  by  the  Trinity  Church  Corporation  and  the  ma^iy 
descendants  of  Anneke  Janse.) 


1  637. 


The  Patroon,  Kiliaen  A  an  Rensselaer,  sends  authority  to  Jacob 
Albertzsen  Planck,  Rensselaerswyck's  first  sheriff,  to  buy  addi- 
tional land  from  the  Indians,  desiring  an  intervening  tract  that 
should  piece  out  his  property  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  until 
it  joined  the  land  that  stretched  to  the  east  and  west  line  run- 
ning through  Aloenemines  Castle  on  Haver  Island,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Mohawk,  being  a  district  called  Papsickenekaas  or  Paps- 
skanea,  extending  south  from  opposite  Castle  Island  (just  below 
Albany)  to  the  point  opposite  Smackx  Island,  and  including 
the  adjacent  islands,  and  all  the  lands  back  into  the  interior, 
belonging  to  the  Indian  owners,  "  for  certain  quantities  of 
duffels,  axes,  knives,  and  wampum,  which  additional  purchase 
places  the  Van  Rensselaers  of  Holland  interested  in  the  Manor 
of  Rensselaerswyck  in  possession  of  a  tract  24  miles  long,  up 
2nd  down  the  river  and  48  miles  broad,  east  and  west,  or  24 
miles  inland  on  Both  sides  of  the  river,  an  area  of  about  700,000 
acres,  including  therein  the  counties  of  Albany,  Rensselaer  and 
a  large  part  of  Columbia,  April  13. 

It  is  alleged  that  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  visited  his  estate  in  this 
country  this  year.  (This  is  disproved  by  the  continuity  of  the 
letters  sent  by  him  from  Holland  to  his  colony,  of  which  direct 
copies  were  made  and  kept  there  by  his  children  and  secretary, 
which  letters  existed  in  1900.)  He  sends  Arendt  van  Curler 
(Corlaer),  aged  18,  as  assistant  to  Commissary  Planck, 

December. 


1  638. 


Abraham  Isaacs  Verplanck,  first  ancestor  of  that  name  in  America, 
and  later  the  owner  of  a  large  tract  at  Paulus  Hook  (Jersey 
City)  bought  from  the  West  India  Company,  arrives  from 
Holland,  March. 


Founding.  29 

1638-  1640. 


William  Kieft  arrives  at  Fort  Amsterdam  (Alanhattan  Island j  suc- 
ceeding Wovilter  van  Twiller  as  the  sixth  director  in  New 
Netherland  for  the  West  India  Company,  March  28. 

Anneke  Jans  (Janse  or  Jansen),  being  the  widow  of  Roelof  Jansen, 
marries  Rev.  Everhardus  Bogardus,  dominie  of  the  first  Re- 
formed Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  New  Amsterdam  (about 
this  time). 


1639. 


David  Pietersen  de  Vries,  a  Dutch  navigator,  sails  to  Fort  Orange 
to  visit  Brandt  Peelan  on  Castle  Island,  a  little  south  of  the 
fort,  and  notices  many  Indians  fishing  at  Beeren  Island,  and 
records:  "  In  the  evening  we  reached  Brandpylen's  Island,  that 
lies  a  little  below  Fort  Orange  and  belongs  to  the  patroons, 
Godyn,  Ronselaer,  Jan  de  Laet  and  Bloemart,  who  had  also 
more  farms  there  which  they  had  put  in  good  condition  at  the 
company's  cost,  for  the  company  had  sent  cattle  from  Father- 
land at  great  expense,  and  these  individuals,  being  the  commis- 
sioners of  New  Netherland,  had  made  a  good  distribution 
among  themselves,  and  while  the  company  had  nothing  but  an 
empty  fort,  they  had  the  farms  and  trade  around  it,  and  each 
farmer  was  a  trader,"  April  28. 

David  P.  de  Vries  experiences  a  disastrous  flood,  recording  on  the 
second  day  after  his  arrival  at  Fort  Orange  :  "  There  was  such 
a  high  flood  at  the  island  on  which  Brand-pylen  lived,  who  was 
my  host  at  this  time,  that  we  were  compelled  to  leave  it  and 
to  go  with  boats  into  the  house  where  there  were  four  feet  of 
water."  April  30. 

De  Vries  further  describes  the  flood :  "  This  freshet  continued  three 
days  before  we  could  use  the  dwelling  again.  The  water  ran 
into  the  fort,  and  we  were  obliged  to  repair  to  the  woods, 
where  we  erected  tents  and  kindled  large  fires."  ]May  2. 


1  640. 


Because  of  the  dispute  over  various  matters  between  the  colony  of 
Rensselaerswyck  and  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  the 
Patroons  obtain  a  new  charter  of  privileges  and  exemptions 


30  Founding. 

1640-1642. 


from  the  Dutch  West  India  Co.,  some  of  the  provisions  therein 
being  that  all  patroons,  free  colonists  and  inhabitants  of  New 
Netherland  should  enjoy  the  privilege  of  selling  articles  brought 
from  Holland  upon  paying  a  lofc  duty ;  that  they  pay  lo^  export 
duty  on  all  furs  shipped  to  Holland  ;  they  were  allowed  to  manu- 
facture woolen  goods  and  cotton  cloth  which  had  been  pro- 
hibited ;  the  person  bringing  five  adults  to  New  Netherland  as  a 
colony  would  be  entitled  to  200  acres  and  might  hunt  in  the 
public  woods  or  fish  in  public  streams ;  no  religion  except  that 
of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  was  to  be  tolerated;  the  colo- 
nists were  to  be  provided  with  negroes  to  help  them  on  their 
farms ;  appeal  from  manorial  courts  might  be  made  to  director 
and  council  of  New  Netherland  provided  the  sum  in  dispute 
was  equal  to  forty  dollars ;  but  the  patroons'  jurisdiction  was 
not  affected  by  the  new  charter. 
The  Dutch  settlers  learn  how  to  counterfeit  the  Indian  wampum  or 
seawant  (also  spelled  zee  wan)  that  the  Indians  had  produced 
by  shaping  mussel-shells  circular,  burnishing  them  and  piercing 
so  as  to  be  strung ;  2  beads  having  the  value  of  one  cent  and  4 
beads  worth  one  stiver,  or  2  cents ;  the  Dutch  seawant  accepted 
after  a  time  at  the  ratio  of  6  for  a  stiver,  or  3  for  a  cent. 


164  1. 


Arendt  van  Curler,  now  the  commissary-general  of  Rensselaerswyck, 
and  Adriaen  vander  Donck,  a  graduate  of  Leyden  University, 
public  prosecutor,  the  latter  official  kept  busy  with  prosecutions 
of  those  violating  the  innumerable  provisions  of  the  Patroon's 
lengthy  contracts. 


1642. 


Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  requests  the  classis  of  Amsterdam  to  send  a 
'  good,  honest  and  pure  preacher "  to  his  Rensselaerswyck 
Manor,  and  that  body  selects  Rev.  Dr.  Johannes  Megapolensis, 
Jun.,  pastor  of  Schorel  and  Berg  of  the  Alkmaar  classis,  who 
accepts  the  call  for  a  term  of  six  years,  conditioned  on  a  salary 


Founding.  31 

1642. 

of  1,000  guilders  ($400)  that  he  may  not  have  to  work  as  a 
farmer,  the  same  to  be  paid  in  meat,  drink,  and  whatever  he 
might  claim,  and  an  annual  donation  of  30  schepels  (90  bus.) 
of  wheat,  2  firkins  of  butter,  or  else  60  guilders,  for  the  first 
three  years,  and  if  satisfactory  to  the  Patroon  to  be  paid  by 
him  200  additional  guilders  annually,  March  6. 

Rev.  Dr.  Johannes  Megapolensis  duly  accredited  the  Dominie  for 
Rensselaerswyck  at  Amsterdam  by  Adam  Bessels,  Rev.  Jacobus 
Laurentius  and  Pietrus  Wittewrongel ;  described  in  the  docu- 
ment as  being  39  years  old,  with  wife,  Machtelt,  aged  42  years, 
and  four  children  under  15  years  of  age,  March  22. 

Hendrick  Albertsen  appointed  by  the  Patroon  at  Amsterdam  the 
ferryman  to  transfer  people  across  the  river,  departing  from 
the  north  side  of  Beverkill,  which  empties  into  the  Hudson  at 
Arch  street,  June  3. 

The  Patroon  sends  instructions  from  Holland  telling  where  colo- 
nists may  build,  stating:  "  As  the  church,  the  minister's  hous:\ 
that  of  the  officer,  and  also  all  those  of  the  trades-people  must 
hereafter  be  established  there^  as  Abraham  Staes  and  Evert 
Pels,  the  brewer,  have  undertaken,  I  do  insist  upon,  and 
consent  that,  with  the  exception  of  the  farmers  and  tobacco- 
planters,  who  must  reside  on  their  farms  and  plantations,  no 
tradesmen,  henceforth  and  after  the  expiration  of  their  service, 
shall  establish  themselves  elsewhere  than  in  the  church-neigh- 
borhood in  the  order  and  according  to  the  plan  of  building  sent 
herewith ;  for  every  one  residing  where  he  thinks  fit,  separated 
far  from  the  others,  would  be  unfortunately  in  danger  of  their 
lives,  in  the  same  manner,  as  sorrowful  experience  has  taught 
around  the  Manhattans."  June  3. 

The  Amsterdam  Chamber  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  in- 
dorses the  appointment  of  Dominie  Megapolensis.  although  the 
Patroon  had  seriously  objected,  not  wishing  interference  with 
a  matter  which  he  considered  entirely  within  his  right  and  not 
a  matter  with  which  they  had  any  authority,  and  he  is  ready 
to  sail  on  the  De  Houttuyn,  June  6. 

Anneke  Jans  (or  Jansen),  the  owner  of  what  later  becomes  the 
Trinity  Church  property  in  New  York  city,  and  who  dies  in 
Albany,  signs  an  obligation  (Anna  lans)  to  provide  for  the 
children  of  her  first  husband,  Roelof  Jansen,  and  to  educate 
them,  namely,  Sara,  Tryntje.  Sytje  (or  Fytje),  Jan  (who  later 
is  massacred  at  Schenectady  by  the  Indians)  and  Annatje, 

June  21. 


32  Founding. 

1642. 

A  party  of  about  70  Alohawks  set  out  in  July  on  a  foray,  and  from 
both  sides  of  the  St.  Lawrence  attack  a  party  of  Huron  Indians 
accompanied  by  French  priests  from  Canada,  among  them 
Father  Isaac  Jogues,  who  were  going  in  twelve  canoes  to  their 
country  near  the  big  lake  (Huron)  and  the  Mohawks  take  22 
of  them  prisoners.  The  occurrences,  of  a  most  horrible  nature, 
transpiring  then,  and  the  tortures  to  which  they  were  subjected 
on  their  travel  to  the  Mohawk  river,  when  Father  Jogues  was 
beaten  senseless  for  displaying  sympathy  for  a  prisoner  being 
tortured,  (as  described  in  a  letter  written  at  Rensselaerswyck, 
on  Aug.  5,  1643,  by  Father  Jogues  himself)  being  as  follows: 
"  Scarcely  had  I  begun  to  breathe,  when  some  others,  attacking 
me,  tore  out,  by  biting,  almost  all  my  finger-nails,  and  crunched 
my  two  forefingers  with  their  teeth,  giving  me  intense  pain. 
*  *  *  No  trial,  however,  came  harder  upon  me  than  to  see  them, 
five  or  six  days  afterward,  approach  us  jaded  with  the  march, 
and  in  cold  blood,  with  minds  nowise  excited  by  passion,  pluck 
out  our  hair  and  beard,  and  drive  their  nails,  which  are  always 
very  sharp,  deep  into  parts  most  tender  and  sensitive  to  the 
slightest  impression."    The  day  of  the  ambushed  attack,  Aug.  4. 

Father  Jogues,  describing  in  his  letter  the  cruelties  perpetrated  by 
the  victorious  Mohawks,  states :  "  On  the  eighth  day  we  fell 
in  with  a  band  of  two  hundred  Indians  going  out  to  fight  (on 
an  island  in  Lake  Champlain)  ;  and  as  it  is  the  custom  for 
savages,  when  out  on  war-parties,  to  initiate  themselves,  as  it 
were,  by  cruelty,  under  the  belief  that  their  success  will  be  the 
greater  as  they  shall  have  been  the  more  cruel,  they  thus  re- 
ceived us :  First  rendering  thanks  to  the  sun,  which  they  imag- 
ine presides  over  war,  they  congratulated  their  countrymen  by 
a  joyful  volley  of  musketry.  Each  then  cut  some  stout  clubs  in 
the  neighboring  wood  in  order  to  receive  us.  After  we  had 
landed  from  the  canoes,  they  fell  upon  us  from  both  sides  with 
their  clubs  in  such  fury,  that  I,  who  was  the  last  and  therefore 
the  most  exposed  to  their  blows,  sank  overcome  by  their  num- 
bers and  severity  before  I  had  accomplished  half  the  rocky  way 
that  led  to  the  hill  on  which  a  stage  had  been  erected  for  us.  I 
thought  I  should  quickly  die  there ;  and  therefore,  partly  because 
I  could  not,  partly  because  I  cared  not,  I  did  not  rise.  How 
long  they  spent  their  fury  upon  me  He  knows  for  whose  love 
and  sake  it  is  delightful  and  glorious  thus  to  sufifer.  Moved  at 
last  by  a  cruel  mercy,  and  wishing  to  carry  me  to  their  country 
alive,  they  ceased  to  strike.  And  thus  half  dead  and  covered 
with  blood,  they  bore  me  to  the  scafifold.     Here  I  had  scarce 


FATHER  ISAAC  JOQUES. 

This  zealous  French  Jesuit  missionary  was  captured  on  the  St.  Lawrence 
River,  Aug.  4,  1642,  by  a  band  of  savage  Mohawks  and  brought  here  a  prisoner 
despite  efforts  of  the  Dutch  to  release  him.    He  was  put  to  death  Oct.  18,  1646. 


Founding.  33 

1642. 

begun  to  breathe,  when  they  ordered  me  to  come  down  to  load 
me  with  scoffs  and  insults,  and  countless  blows  upon  my  head 
and  shoulders,  and  indeed  my  whole  body.  I  should  be  tedious 
were  I  to  attempt  to  tell  all  that  the  French  prisoners  suffered. 
They  burnt  one  of  my  fingers,  and  crushed  another  with  their 
teeth ;  the  others  already  thus  mangled  they  so  wrenched  by  the 
tattered  nerves  that  even  now,  though  healed,  they  are  fright- 
fully deformed."  Aug.  12. 

Dominie  Alegapolensis,  wife  and  four  young  children  arrive  at 
Fort  Orange,  and  Arendt  van  Curler  at  once  provides  them  with 
a  house,  until  he  can  build  one,  Aug.  12. 

Father  Jogues  was  not  to  escape  with  what  severe  tortures  had  been 
his  lot  on  the  way  south  from  the  St.  Lawrence  River,  to  the 
Mohawk  village  this  side  of  the  Cohoes  falls,  and  describes  in 
his  letter  (of  1643)  what  transpired  as  they  neared  the  Mohawk 
village :  "  On  the  eve  of  the  Assumption,  about  three  o'clock, 
we  reached  a  river  (the  Mohawk)  which  flows  by  their  village. 
Both  banks  were  filled  with  Iroquois,  who  received  us  with 
clubs,  fists,  and  stones.  As  a  bald  or  thinly-covered  head  is  an 
object  of  aversion  to  them,  this  tempest  burst  in  its  fury  on  my 
bare  head.  Two  of  my  nails  had  hitherto  escaped ;  these  they 
tore  out  with  their  teeth,  and  with  their  keen  nails  stripped  off 
the  flesh  beneath  to  the  very  bone."  Then  an  aged  Indian  com- 
pelled a  squaw  to  cut  off  his  left  thumb,  Aug.  15. 

The  inhabitants  of  Rensselaerswyck  and  those  dwelling  near  Fort 
Orange,  learning  of  the  cruelties  practiced  by  the  Mohawks,  fear 
they  may,  outnumbering  them,  put  them  to  tortures  similar  to 
their  French  captives,  and  resolve  to  pacify  the  savages  by  gifts 
and  to  seek  to  ransom  the  captives.  They  delegate  Arendt  van 
Curler,  Jan  Labatie  and  Jacob  Jansen  to  renew  covenants  and 
to  offer  a  reward  for  Father  Jogues's  liberty.  Of  what  hap- 
pened Arendt  van  Curler  relates :  "  I  carried  presents  there, 
and  desired  that  we  should  live  as  good  neighbors  and  that  they 
should  neither  harm  the  colonists  nor  their  castle,  to  all  of  which 
the  savages  of  all  three  villages  readily  agreed.  We  were  en- 
tertained there  very  well  and  very  kindly.  We  had  to  stop 
before  each  castle  for  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  that  the 
savages  could  get  ready  and  receive  us  with  a  number  of  salutes 
from  their  muskets.  They  were  highly  delighted  that  I  had 
come  there.  Some  men  were  immediately  ordered  to  go  hunt- 
ing and  they  brought  home  very  fine  turkeys.  After  thoroughly 
inspecting  their  castle,  I  called  together  all  the  chiefs  of  the 
three  castles  and  advised  them  to  release  the  French  prisoners, 
but  without  success,  for  they  refused  it  in  an  eloquent  speech, 


34  Founding. 

1642-1643. 

saying:  '  We  shall  be  kind  to  you  always,  but  on  this  subject 
you  must  be  silent.  Besides  you  well  know  how  they  treat  our 
people  when  they  fall  into  their  hands.'  Had  we  reached  them 
three  or  four  days  later  they  would  have  been  burnt.  I  offered 
them  a  ransom  for  the  Frenchmen,  about  six  hundred  florins 
in  goods  (about  $250),  which  all  the  colony  was  to  contribute, 
but  they  would  not  accept  it.  We  nevertheless  induced  them  to 
promise  not  to  kill  them,  but  to  carry  them  back  to  their 
country.  The  Frenchmen  ran  screaming  after  us  and  besought 
us  to  do  all  in  our  power  for  their  delivery  from  the  savages. 
But  there  was  no  chance  for  it.  On  my  return  they  gave  me 
an  escort  of  ten  or  twelve  armed  men  who  conducted  us  home." 

August. 

Although  Arendt  van  Curler  had  been  erecting  a  house  for  Dominie 
Megapolensis,  it  being  unfinished  for  winter  use  (west  of  Fort 
Orange,  Steamboat  Square,  some  hundred  feet),  he  buys  one 
of  Maryn  Adriaensen  van  Veere,  of  oak,  already  built,  for  350 
guilders  (about  $140),  November. 

Dominie  Megapolensis  begins  the  study  of  the  Indian  language  in 
order  to  be  able  to  preach  to  the  Mohawks,  December. 


1  643. 


Commissary  Arendt  van  Curler  writes  to  the  Patroon  in  Holland 
about  the  church  that  Dominie  Megapolensis  had  expected  to 
use  on  his  arrival  in  August  of  1642,  as  follows:  '*  As  for  the 
church  it  is  not  yet  contracted  for,  not  even  begun.  I  had  writ- 
ten to  your  honor  that  I  had  a  building  almost  ready,  namely  the 
covenanted  work,  which  would  have  been  for  Dominie  Megapo- 
lensis, but  this  house  did  not  suit  Dominie  Johannes ;  in  other 
respects  it  was  adapted  in  every  way  to  his  wants.  On  this 
account  I  have  laid  it  aside.  The  one  which  I  intend  to  build 
this  summer  in  the  pine-grove  [greene  bosch]  will  be  34  feet 
long  by  19  wide.  It  will  be  large  enough  for  the  first  three  or 
four  years  to  preach  in  and  can  be  used  afterward  as  a  resi- 
dence by  the  sexton,  or  for  a  school.  I  hope  your  honor  will 
not  take  this  ill  as  it  happened  through  good  intentions."   June. 

Adriaen  vander  Donck,  the  schout  of  Rensselaerswyck,  decides  to 
establish  a  colony  to  the  south,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Catskill, 

June. 


Founding.  35 

1643. 

Father  Jogues,  having  been  held  a  captive  for  the  space  of  one  year 
at  the  Mohawk  village  a  few  miles  north  of  Fort  Orange,  he  is 
taken  by  them  on  a  fishing  excursion  to  a  place  about  24  miles 
south  of  the  fort  (near  the  site  of  Hudson,  N.  Y.),  Aug.  i. 

Father  Jogues  having  returned  from  the  fishing-trip  with  his  Indian 
captors,  tarries  with  them  a  few  days  at  Fort  Orange,  and  de- 
scribes the  manner  of  his  escape  in  a  letter,  as  follows :  "  As 
soon  as  it  was  day,  I  went  to  salute  the  Dutch  governor,  and 
told  him  the  resolution  I  had  come  to  before  God.  [This  was 
as  to  the  proprietry  of  stealing  surreptitiously  away  from  im- 
prisonment.] He  called  upon  the  officers  of  the  ship,  told  them 
his  intentions,  and  exhorted  them  to  receive  and  conceal  me,  in 
a  word,  to  carry  me  over  to  Europe.  They  replied  that  if  I 
could  once  get  aboard  their  vessel  I  was  safe,  and  would  not 
have  to  leave  it  till  I  reached  Bordeaux  or  Rochelle.  '  Cheer 
up,  then,'  said  the  governor,  '  return  with  the  Indians,  and  this 
evening,  or  in  the  night,  steal  off  quietly  and  get  to  the  river, 
where  you  will  find  a  little  boat  which  I  will  have  ready  to  take 
you  to  the  ship.'  After  most  humble  thanks  to  all  those  gentle- 
men, I  left  the  Dutch,  better  to  conceal  my  design.  In  the 
evening  I  retired,  with  ten  or  twelve  Iroquois,  to  a  barn,  where 
we  spent  the  night.  Before  lying  down  I  went  out  to  see  where 
I  could  most  easily  escape.  The  dogs,  then  let  loose,  ran  at  me. 
and  a  large  and  powerful  one  snapped  at  my  bare  leg  and  bit  it 
severely.  I  immediately  entered  the  barn,  the  Iroquois  closed 
the  door  securely,  and  to  guard  me  better  came  and  lay  beside 
me,  the  one  who  was  in  a  manner  appointed  to  watch  me.  See- 
ing myself  beset  with  these  mishaps,  and  the  barn  secured  and 
surrounded  by  dogs  that  would  betray  me  if  I  attempted  to  go 
out,  I  almost  thought  I  could  not  escape.  *  *  *  This  whole 
night  also  I  spent  without  sleep.  Toward  day  I  heard  the  cocks 
crow.  Soon  after,  a  servant  of  the  Dutch  farmer,  who  had 
received  us  into  his  bam,  entered  by  some  door  I  had  not  seen. 
I  went  up  to  him  softly  and  made  him  a  sign,  not  understand- 
ing his  Flemish,  to  stop  the  dogs  from  barking.  He  immedi- 
ately went  out,  and  I  after  him,  when  I  had  taken  up  my  little 
luggage  consisting  of  a  little  ofiice  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  an 
Imitation  of  Christ,  and  a  wooden  cross  which  I  had  made  to 
keep  me  in  mind  of  my  Saviour's  sufferings.  Having  got  out 
of  the  barn  without  making  any  noise  or  waking  my  guards,  I 
climbed  over  a  fence  surrounding  the  house,  and  ran  straight 
to  the  river  where  the  ship  was.  It  was  as  much  as  my  wounded 
leg  could  do,  for  the  distance  was  a  quarter  of  a  league.  I 
found  the  boat  as  I  had  been  told,  but  as  the  tide  had  gone  down 


36  Founding. 

1643. 

it  was  high  and  dry.  I  pushed  it  to  get  it  to  the  water,  but 
finding  it  too  heavy,  I  called  to  the  ship  to  send  me  their  boat 
to  take  me  on  board.  There  was  no  answer.  I  do  not  know 
whether  they  heard  me.  Be  that  as  it  may,  no  one  appeared, 
and  day  was  beginning  to  reveal  to  the  Iroquois  the  robbery 
which  I  had  made  of  myself,  and  I  feared  to  be  surprised  in 
my  innocent  crime.  Weary  of  hallooing  I  returned  to  my  boat, 
and  praying  to  the  Almighty  to  increase  my  strength,  I  suc- 
ceeded at  last  so  well  by  working  it  slowly  on  and  pushing 
stoutly  that  I  got  it  into  the  water.  As  soon  as  it  floated  I 
jumped  in  and  reached  the  vessel  alone,  unperceived  by  any 
Iroquois.  I  was  immediately  lodged  in  the  bottom  of  the  hold, 
and  to  hide  me  they  put  a  large  box  on  the  hatch.  I  was  two 
days  and  two  nights  in  the  hold  of  this  ship,  in  such  a  state  that 
I  expected  to  be  suffocated  and  die  of  the  stench."  This  event 
transpired  between  the  middle  and  last  of  the  month  of  August, 
being  described  in  a  letter  written  at  Rensselaerswyck  by  Father 
Jogues,  Aug.  30. 

Father  Jogues,  is  still  in  doubt  as  to  whether  he  will  be  able  to  escape, 
He  has  difiiculty  in  escaping  the  vigilant  watch  for  him  by  the 
Indians.  He  writes  :  "  The  second  night  of  my  voluntary  im- 
prisonment the  minister  of  the  Hollanders  came  to  tell  me  that 
the  Iroquois  had  made  much  trouble,  and  that  the  Dutch  settlers 
were  afraid  that  they  would  set  fire  to  their  houses  and  kill 
their  cattle.  *  *  *  I  was  taken  to  his  house,  where  he  kept 
me  concealed.  These  comings  and  goings  were  done  by  night, 
so  that  I  was  not  discovered."  Aug.  30. 

Father  Jogues  tells  how  he  finally  escaped,  in  a  letter  to  Father 
Charles  Lalemant,  while  at  Rennes,  France  (dated  Jan.  6, 
1664) ,  as  follows  :  "  The  Iroquois  came  to  the  Dutch  post  about 
the  middle  of  September,  and  made  a  great  deal  of  disturbance, 
but  at  last  received  the  presents  made  by  the  captain  who  had 
me  concealed.  They  amounted  to  about  three  hundred  livres, 
which  I  will  endeavor  to  repay.  All  things  being  quieted,  I  was 
sent  to  Manhattan,  where  the  governor  of  the  country  resides. 
He  received  me  kindly,  gave  me  clothes  and  passage  in  a  vessel 
which  crossed  the  ocean  in  midwinter."  September. 

The  Patroon,  in  Holland,  sends  word  to  Xicolaas  Coorn  to  fortify 
Beeren  Island,  and  to  demand  of  each  skipper  passing  up  or 
down,  except  those  of  the  West  India  Company,  a  toll  of  five 
guilders  ($2)  as  a  tax,  likewise  to  see  that  every  vessel  coming 
up  the  river  lowers  its  colors  at  the  fort  as  a  sign  of  respect 
to  the  Patroon.  Coorn  thereupon  issues  the  following  mani- 
festo:    "I,     Nicolaas     Coorn,     Commander     of     Rensselaer's 


Founding.  37 

1643-1644. 


Castle  and  for  the  noble  lord,  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  under  the 
high  jurisdiction  of  the  high  and  mighty  Lords  States-General 
of  the  United  Netherlands,  and  the  privileged  West  India  Com- 
pany, hereditary  commander  of  the  colonies  on  this  North  River 
of  New  Netherlands  and  as  vice-commander  in  his  place,  make 
known  to  you  that  you  shall  not  presume  to  use  this  river  to  the 
.  injury  of  the  acquired  right  of  the  said  lord  in  his  rank  as 
Patroon  of  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  the  first  and  the 
oldest  on  this  river.  *  *  *  Protesting  in  the  name  of  the 
said  lord,  should  you  presume  in  defiance  of  law  to  attempt  to 
pass  by  contrary  to  this  proclamation,  I  am  directed  to  prevent 
you.  Under  this  manifesto,  however,  you  are  permitted  to 
trade  with  his  commissary,  but  not  with  the  Indians  or  his  par- 
ticular subjects,  as  will  be  seen  and  read  in  the  admonition  and 
instruction  given  by  him,  the  Patroon,  to  Pieter  Wyncoop,  the 
commissary,  and  Arendt  van  Curler,  the  commissary-general, 
conformable  to  the  restrictions  of  the  regulations  contained 
therein,"  Sept.  8. 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  at  Amsterdam,  Holland,  learns  of  Van  der 
Donck's  plans  to  establish  a  colony  of  his  own  south  of  his 
Rensselaerswyck  manorial  lands,  and  commissions  Pieter  Wyn- 
coop to  set  out  from  that  city  with  a  vessel,  The  Arms  of  Rens- 
selaerswyck, and  purchasing  the  lands  at  Catskill,  to  settle  there, 
while  Arendt  van  Curler  uses  any  force  necessary  to  keep  Van 
der  Donck  from  settling,  Sept.  10. 


1644. 


Father  Jogues  arrives  in  France,  and  meets  with  honors  at  every 
turn,  people  seeking  all  his  little  possessions  as  sacred  relics, 
and  the  Queen  Regent  summoning  him  to  visit  her  at  Paris, 
which  he  does  not  care  to  do,  being  modestly  disposed  about 
himself ;  but  does  so  on  her  third  command,  January- 

Dominie  Megapolensis  writes  an  interesting  sketch  of  the  Mohawk 
Indians,  ,  February. 

Covert  Loockermans,  skipper  of  the  yacht  the  Good  Hope,  sails 
from  Fort  Orange  for  New  Amsterdam,  and  with  studied  con- 
tempt fails  to  salute  the  fort^  Rensselaer's  Castle,  on  Beeren 
Island  (Beeren,  plural  of  Bear),  as  directed  by  the  mandate 
of  September  8th,  whereupon  Commander  Nicolaas  Coorn 
yells  across  the  water  to  him :  "  Lower  your  colors  !  "  Loock- 
ermans answers  back  "  For  whom  should  I?  "     Coorn  tells  him 


38  P'OUNDING. 

1  644-  1646. 


"  For  the  staple-right  of  Rensselaerswyck."  To  this  the  Good 
Hope's  indominable  skipper  raphes,  "  I  lower  my  colors  for 
no  one  except  the  Prince  of  Orange  and  the  lords,  my  masters !" 
Coorn  applies  a  match  to  the  fuse  of  his  small  cannon  and  a 
shot  rips  through  the  Good  Hope's  mainsail,  also  cutting  loose 
the  rigging.  Another  shot  is  fired  but  it  passes  over  the  vessel. 
A  third  cannon  is  discharged  by  an  Indian,  and  the  ball  passes 
through  the  colors  of  the  Prince  of  Orange,  July  i. 

Skipper  Loockermans  of  the  Good  Hope  lodges  complaint  against 
Coorn  on  his  arrival  at  New  Amsterdam,  demanding  reparation, 
and  the  Council  of  New  Netherland  issues  an  order  for  Coorn 
to  desist  from  such  practice,  July  5. 

Commander  Coorn,  at  Fort  Orange,  does  not  heed  the  order  of 
the  powers  at  New  Netherland  located  at  New  Amsterdam, 
and  continues  to  demand  homage  or  recognition  of  the  rights 
of  Rensselaer  Manor,  August. 

A  general  thanksgiving  is  ordered  because  of  the  ratification  of 
several  treaties  with  the  Indian  tribes^  especially  with  those 
on  Long  Island,  who  had  warred  continuously  with  the  Dutch 
settlers  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  Aug.  31. 

Day  of  thanksgiving  observed  in  the  churches  at  New  Amsterdam 
and  Fort  Orange,  Sept.  6. 


1645. 


Father  Jogues  has  a  strong  desire  to  return  to  America  again, 
there  to  christianize  the  savage  tribes  of  Indians,  although  he 
had  been  shamefully  treated  by  the  Mohawk  and  Iroquois  tribes 
in  1642 ;  but  there  is  a  great  impediment  in  his  way  of  his  offi- 
ciating at  the  sacrifice  in  his  mangled  hands,  the  strict  rules 
of  the  church  requiring  a  dispensation  should  he  be  permitted 
to  act.  Pope  Urban  VHI.,  learning  the  true  and  full  story  of 
Father  Jogues's  martyrdom,  grants  his  petition,  with  excla- 
mations of  the  delight  he  feels  at  the  privilege  of  placing  the 
zealous  Jesuit  in  full  official  capacity. 


1646. 


The  house  of  Adriaen  van  der  Donck,  the  schout  of  the  Colony  of 
Rensselaerswyck,  burns  to  the  ground  and  he  moves  into  a 
cottage  that  is  within  the  fort,  Jan.  17. 


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Founding.  39 

1646. 

Father  Jogues,  who  had  returned  this  spring  from  France  to  Canada, 
having  been  in  the  former  country  since  his  escape  from  the 
Iroquois  at  Fort  Orange  in  September  of  1643,  sets  out  from 
Three  Rivers,  Canada,  with  a  French  officer,  named  Bourdon, 
four  ]\Iohawks  and  two  Algonquins,  on  a  mission  of  peace  to 
the  Mohawks,  who  had  previously  fearfully  maltreated  him. 
proceeding  under  the  auspices  this  time  of  the  Governor  of 
Canada,  May  16. 

Father  Jogues  and  his  party  reach  Lake  x\ndiatorocte  (Lake 
George)  on  the  eve  of  the  Feast  of  Corpus  Christi,  and  he  con- 
secrates that  body  of  water  Lac  du  Saint  Sacrement.  May  29. 
Father  Jogues  arrives  at  Fort  Orange  and  he  pays  the  money  in 
return  that  had  been  given  to  the  Iroquois  by  his  Dutch  friends 
for  his  liberation  from  the  savages  in  1643.  They  welcome 
him  cordially,  and  he  relates  his  travels  abroad,  and  having 
accomplished  the  object  of  his  visit,  freeing  himself  of  debt  to 
his  benefactors,  he  decides  to  go  north  once  more,  June. 
Dominie  Megapolensis  conducting  services  in  his  own  house  at  this 
time;  but  the  church  was  nearly  completed  for  him  (on  what 
was  later  termed  Church  street,  to  the  north  of  Madison  avenue 
and  south  of  Pruyn  street,  being  but  a  short  distance  north- 
west of  Fort  Orange  on  the  Steamboat  Square,  not  distant  in 
1646  from  the  river)  excepting  to  the  seat  for  magistrates, 
the  seat  for  the  deacon,  the  nine  benches  for  the  congregation, 
corner-seats  and  the  predickstool  (pulpit),  July- 

Father  Jogues,  at  Three  Rivers,  Canada,  before  starting  out  on  his 
missionary  tour  through  the  Alohawk  valley,  writes  a  descrip- 
tion of  how  Fort  Orange  looked  at  the  time  of  his  visit  there 
in  the  previous  June,  saying:  "There  are  two  things  in  this 
settlement  (which  is  called  Rensselaerswyck,  or  in  other  words 
the  settlement  of  Rensselaer,  who  is  a  rich  Amsterdam  mer- 
chant), first,  a  miserable  little  fort  called  Fort  Orange,  built  of 
logs,  with  four  or  five  pieces  of  Breteuil  cannon  and  as  many 
swivels.  This  has  been  reserved  and  is  maintained  by  the 
West  India  Company.  This  fort  was  formerly  on  an  island  in 
the  river.  It  is  now  on  the  mainland  toward  the  Iroquois,  a 
little  above  the  said  island.  Second,  a  colony  sent  here  by 
this  Rensselaer,  who  is  the  Patroon.  This  colony  is  composed 
of  about  a  hundred  persons,  who  reside  in  some  twenty-five 
or  thirty  houses,  built  along  the  river  as  each  one  found  most 
convenient.  In  the  principal  house  lives  the  Patroon's  agent ; 
the  minister  has  his  apart,  in  which  service  is  performed.  There 
is  also  a  kind  of  bailiff  here,  whom  they  call  the  seneschal,  who 


40  Founding. 

1646-1647. 


administers  justice.  Their  houses  are  solely  of  boards  and 
thatched,  with  no  mason-work  except  the  chimneys.  The  forest 
furnishes  many  fine  pines ;  they  make  boards  by  means  of  their 
mills,  which  they  have  here  for  the  purpose.  They  found  some 
pieces  of  cultivated  ground,  which  the  savages  had  formerly 
cleared,  and  in  which  they  sow  wheat  and  oats  for  beer,  and  for 
their  horses,  of  which  they  have  great  numbers.  There  is  little 
land  fit  for  tillage,  being  hemmed  in  by  hills,  which  are  poor 
soil.  This  obliges  them  to  separate,  arid  they  already  occupy 
two  or  three  leagues  of  the  country.  Trade  is  free  to  all ;  this 
gives  the  Indians  all  things  cheap,  each  of  the  Hollanders  outbid- 
ding his  neighbor,  and  being  satisfied,  provided  he  can  gain 
some  little  profit.  This  settlement  is  not  more  than  twenty 
leagues  from  the  Agniehorons,  [Alohawk  Indian  tribe],  who 
can  be  reached  by  land  or  water,  as  the  [Mohawk]  river  on 
which  the  Iroquois  lie,  falls  into  that  which  passes  by  the  Dutch, 
but  there  are  many  low  rapids  and  a  fall  of  a  short  half  league, 
where  the  canoe  must  be  carried."  Aug.  3. 

Rev.  Father  Isaac  Jogues,  a  Jesuit  missionary  who  had  suffered  ex- 
treme cruelties  at  the  hands  of  the  Mohawk  Indians  in  the 
summer  of  1642  and  could  not  escape  from  them  until  at  Fort 
Orange,  in  September,  1643,  when  he  sailed  unawares  to  them 
to  France ;  born  at  Orleans,  in  that  country,  on  January  10, 
1607,  entering  the  Jesuit  order  in  1624  and  becoming  an  or- 
dained priest  in  1636,  whereupon  he  had  at  once  proceeded  to 
Canada;  being  regarded  by  the  ]\lohawks  as  a  sorcerer  he  is 
put   to   death   by   them   at   Caughnawaga,    (N.    Y.),    Oct.    18. 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  dies  and  his  eldest  son,  Johan,  becomes 
his  successor  as  Patroon  (although  neither  one  ever  comes  to 
America)  and  not  having  reached  his  majority  the  management 
for  the  colony  in  America  is  entrusted  by  the  deceased's  ex- 
ecutors (Johannes  van  Wely  and  Wouter  van  Twiller)  to 
Brandt  Arendt  van  Slechtenhorst  of  the  Van  Rensselaer  home- 
stead at  Nijkerk,  Province  of  Gelderland,  Holland,  who  accord- 
ingly prepares  to  go  the  following  year  to  Rensselaerswyck. 


1647. 


Fort  Orange  nearly  swept  away  by  a  freshet  of  unusual  propor- 
tions, broadening  and  deepening  the  river  so  that  a  school  of 


Founding.  41 

1647-1648. 

whales  (it  is  said)  swam  up  the  Hudson  as  far  as  Lansingburgh, 
one  of  which  becoming  stranded  on  an  island  opposite  that  place, 
gives  it  the  name  of  Walvish  Eylant  or  Whale  Island  (a  small 
island  in  the  Hudson  River  above  Troy  wdiich  disappeared  on 
construction  of  the  state  dam).  March. 

Petrus  Stuyvesant  arrives  at  Fort  Amsterdam  on  Manhattan  Island, 
as  the  successor  of  Director  Kieft,  for  the  Dutch  West  India 
Company,  May  11. 

Brandt  A.  van  Slechtenhorst  sails  from  Holland  for  Virginia  on 
his  journey  to  Fort  Orange,  Sept.  26. 

Carl  van  Brugge  appointed  commissary  of  Fort  Orange,  Nov.  6. 

Rev.  Everhardus  Bogardus  of  New  Amsterdam,  the  second  hus- 
band of  Anneke  Jans  (or  Jansen),  drowned,  and  she  removes  to 
Beverswyck,  purchasing  a  small  house  at  the  northeast  corner 
of  Yonkers  (State) street  and  Middle  Lane  (James  street). 


1648. 


Brandt  Arendt  van  Slechtenhorst  arrives  at  Fort  Orange,  to  be 
Director  of  Rensselaerswyck,  the  river  having  been  frozen  he 
did  not  attempt  to  come  up  before  this  with  his  family, 

March  22. 

While  the  director  of  the  Rensselaerswyck  colony  did  not  admit 
any  rule  over  his  authority  by  Pieter  Stuyvesant,  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company's  Director  of  New  Netherland,  still  the 
former  official  did  pay  him  due  respect  on  his  first  visit  of  in- 
spection to  Fort  Orange,  south  of  the  Manor,  it  being  recorded : 
"  Whereas  the  council  of  the  colony  directed  that  the  Heer 
General  Pieter  Stuyvesant  should  be  honored,  on  his  arrival 
and  departure,  with  several  salutes  from  the  Heer  Patroon's 
three  pieces  of  cannon,  the  Director  employed  Jan  Dircksen  van 
Bremen  and  Hans  Eencluys  to  clean  the  same,  for  they  were 
filled  with  earth  and  stones,  and  to  load  them,  in  doing  which 
they  were  engaged  three  days,  to  wit :  one  day  in  cleaning  them, 
the  second  day  in  firing,  at  the  arrival,  and  the  third  at  Stuyve- 
sant's  departure,  for  which  Van  Slechtenhorst  purchased  twenty 
pounds  of  powder  and  expended  ten  guilders  for  beer  and 
victuals,  besides  having  provided  the  Heer  General  at  his  de- 
parture with  some  young  fowls  and  pork,"  Jwly. 

Director-General  Stuyvesant  seeks  to  keep  all  buildings  back  and 
away  from  the  fort  by  the  river  (on  Steamboat  Square)  that  no 


42  Founding. 

1648. 

protection  from  its  range  of  cannon  may  be  afforded  to  the 
Indians  should  they  make  attack,  admonishing  the  authorities 
at  Rensselaerswyck :  "  We  request,  by  virtue  of  our  commission, 
the  commandant  and  court  of  the  said  colony  to  desist  and  re- 
frain from  building  within  a  cannon-shot  from  the  fort,  until 
further  orders  or  advice  from  our  sovereigns  or  superiors,  or 
to  present  to  us  special  consent  and  authority  signed  by  our 
sovereigns  or  superiors  aforesaid,  for  both  above  and  below 
there  are  equally  suitable,  yea  better  building  sites,"      July  23. 

Van  Rensselaer's  Director,  Van  Slechtcnhorst,  writes  a  refutation 
to  the  asserted  rights  of  Stuyvesant,  stating  the  claim  of  the 
Van  Rensselaer  colony  to  use  of  land  all  about  Fort  Orange, — 
that  the  Patroon's  trading-house  had  stood  a  long  time  on  the 
edge  of  the  fort's  moat,  and  he  ridicules  the  recent  order  of 
Stuyvesant  in  view  of  the  valueless  quality  of  the  fort  as  a 
proper  place  of  defence,  saying :  "  So  far  as  regards  the  re- 
nowned fortress,  men  can  go  in  and  out  of  it  by  night  as  well 
as  by  day.  I  have  been  more  than  six  months  in  the  colony 
and  the  nearest  resident  to  the  fort,  and  yet  I  have  never  been 
able  to  discover  a  single  person  carrying  a  sword,  a  musket 
or  a  pike,  or  have  I  heard  or  seen  a  drum  beat,  except  when 
the  Director-General  himself  visited  it,  with  his  soldiers  in 
July,"  July  28. 

Dominie  Megapolensis,  having  completed  his  term  of  six  years, 
resigns  his  pastorate ;  but  his  congregation,  endeared  to  him, 
urge  that  he  remain  another  year  instead  of  going  back  to 
Holland  to  attend  to  an  estate,  which  he  agrees  to  do,     August. 

Director  Van  Slechtcnhorst  commences  erecting  a  house  within 
pistol-shot  of  Fort  Orange,  contrary  to  Stuyvesant's  prohibition 
of  the  previous  month,  August. 

Director-General  Stuyvesant  learns  about  the  action  of  the  Director 
of  Rensselaerswyck  and  dispatches  both  soldiers  and  sailors 
to  Fort  Orange  with  orders  to  demolish  the  house  of  Van 
Slechtcnhorst  now  under  construction,  and  Carl  Van  Brugge, 
commissary  of  Fort  Orange,  is  directed  to  arrest  him  if  he 
offers  resistance,  September. 

There  is  much  excitement  at  Fort  Orange  and  Rensselaerswyck 
when  Stuyvesant's  orders  are  made  known,  asserting  that  if 
Van  Brugge  attempt  to  take  down  the  house  they  will  fight 
the  garrison.  Besides,  the  house  having  been  intended  for  the 
Indians  as  a  shelter  when  remaining  in  town  to  trade,  they 
declare  their  readiness  to  help  the  people  of  Rensselaerswyck, 

September. 


Founding.  43 

1648-1650. 


Commissary  Van  Brugge  writes  to  Stuyvesant  that  it  was  useless  for 
him  to  attempt  to  take  a  stand  against  the  inhabitants  as  they 
outnumber  his  men,  and  with  the  Indians  as  alHes  would  be 
the  victors,  September. 

Stuyvesant  recalls  the  seven  soldiers  and  five  sailors,  but  sends  an 
order  directing  Van  Slechtenhorst  to  appear  before  him  on 
April  4th,  abandoning  the  idea  for  the  time  of  enforcing  his 
regulations,  October. 


1  649. 


Dominie  Megapolensis,  having  completed  seven  years  as  pastor  of 
the  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  or  one  year  longer  than  his  orig- 
inal contract  called  for,  Director  Stuyvesant  persuades  him  to 
assume  charge  of  the  congregation  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  and 
he  accepts,  Aug.  15. 

The  Patroon's  brewery  turns  out  330  tuns  of  beer  during  the  year, 

December. 


1650. 


The  colonists  of  Rensselaerswyck  subscribe  money  for  a  small 
school-house,  June. 

Dominie  Alegapolensis'  brother-in-law,  Rev.  Wilhelmus  Grasmeer, 
a  former  resident  of  Grafdyck,  Holland,  who  had  left  there 
without  first  obtaining  consent  of  the  classis,  accepts  the  pulpit 
vacated  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  former  to  New  Amsterdam 
the  previous  year,  Ji^^b'- 

The  school-house  is  completed,  August. 

x'Vndreas  Jansen  is  chosen  to  teach  the  children  of  those  who  had 
subscribed  money  for  the  school  building,  Sept.  9. 

There  being  no  regularly  appointed  dominie  of  the  Dutch  Reformed 
Church,  named  by  the  classis  in  Holland,  Philip  Pietersen 
Schuyler,  who  had  arrived  this  year  from  Holland,  the  pro- 
genitor of  the  family  of  that  name  in  America,  and  ]\Iargritta 
van  Slechtenhorst,  the  Director's  daughter,  are  married  at  the 
Manor  House  by  the  Rensselaerswyck's  secretary,  Anthonie 
de  Hooges,  the  officers  of  the  fort  and  the  manor  attending 
the  affair,  which  is  celebrated  with  much  entertainment.  Dec.  22. 


44  Founding. 

1651. 

165  1. 


Johannes  Dyckman  is  stationed  at  Fort  Orange  as  the  Vice-Director 
of  the  West  India  Company  under  Director-General  Stuyvesant 
who  is  located  at  New  Amsterdam  (New  York  city)  with  super- 
vision over  the  entire  New  Netherlands  and  those  at  the  fort 
(on  Steamboat  Square)  are  continuously  at  odds  with  the 
colonists  of  Rensselaerswyck,  grouped  about  the  Dutch  Church 
on  Church  street,  only  a  hundred  yards  to  the  northwest  of  it, 
soldiers  of  the  Fort  Orange  garrison  going  about  at  night  dis- 
charging their  muskets  in  the  streets  and  in  many  ways  ter- 
rifying the  inhabitants. 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer's  third  son,  Jan  Baptiste  Van  Rensselaer, 
the  first  of  the  name  of  Van  Rensselaer  to  come  to  America 
(it  being  conclusively  shown  by  series  of  letters  that  Kiliaen 
kept  copied  in  a  record  book  in  Holland,  inscribed  by  his  chil- 
dren and  secretary,  that  he  never  visited  this  country  even  for 
a  short  time,  as  has  often  been  suggested  he  did)  arrives  here 
to  see  the  colony  that  the  Van  Rensselaers  had  established.  As 
the  Rensselaerswyck  directors  of  the  past  had  not  allowed  the 
soldiers  of  Fort  Orange  to  hunt,  fish  or  cut  wood  upon  the 
manorial  lands  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  they  would  be 
any  better  disposed  to  him  than  they  had  been  towards  the 
directors,  and  they  looked  upon  him  as  an  unfriendly,  undesir- 
able personage,  likely  to  be  more  severe  than  his  officials. 

It  being  a  question  whether  the  Dutch  West  India  Company's 
officers  as  represented  by  Pieter  Stuyvesant  or  the  Manor  under 
Jan  Baptiste  Van  Rensselaer  was  to  be  superior,  the  latter  seeks 
to  strengthen  his  position  and  it  is  resolved  by  the  Council  of 
Rensselaerswyck  "  that  all  householders  and  freemen  of  the 
colony  shall  appear  on  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  November  of 
this  year,  being  Tuesday,  at  the  house  of  the  honorable  director, 
and  there  take  the  '  burgerlijke  '  oath  of  allegiance."      Nov.  23. 

Forty-five  colonists  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Patroon  at 
Director  Van  Slechtenhorst's  house,  in  these  words :  "  I  prom- 
ise and  swear  that  I  shall  be  true  and  faithful  to  the  noble 
Patroon  and  co-directors,  or  those  who  represent  them  here, 
and  to  the  honorable  director,  commissioners  and  council,  sub- 
jecting myself  to  the  court  of  the  colony ;  and  I  promise  to 
demean  myself  as  a  good  and  faithful  inhabitant  or  burgher, 
without  exciting  any  opposition,  tumult,  or  noise,  but  on  the 


Founding.  45 

1651-1652. 


contrary,  as  a  loyal  inhabitant  to  maintain  and  support,  offen- 
sively and  defensively  against  every  one,  the  right  and  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  colony.  And  with  reverence  and  fear  of  the 
Lord,  and  the  uplifting  of  both  the  first  fingers  of  the  right 
hand,  I  say,  So  truly  help  me  God  Almighty."  Nov.  28. 

Joost  Hartgers,  bookseller  of  Amsterdam,  prints  the  sketch  written 
.about  the  Mohawk  Indians  by  Dominie  Megapolensis. 


1652. 


Soldiers  from  Fort  Orange  garrison,  in  rancorous  spirit,  make 
hideous  outcry  and  discharge  their  muskets  at  night  in  front 
of  the  Patroon's  mansion,  a  piece  of  burning  wad  falling  on  the 
reed  roof  and  setting  it  ablaze ;  but  the  burning  thatch  is  dis- 
covered and  extinguished,  Jan.   i. 

Director  of  Rensselaerswyck  Slechtenhorst's  son  assaulted  by  sold- 
iers of  Fort  Orange  garrison,  who  beat  him  mercilessly  and 
drag  him  through  mire  to  Vice-Director  Dyckman  of  the  West 
India  Company,  in  command  of  the  fort  (on  Steamboat  Square, 
between  Broadway  of  1900  and  the  Hudson  River),  who  bids 
them,  "  Let  him  have  it,  now,  and  the  duivel  take  him !  "  Dyck- 
man perceiving  Philip  Pietersen  Schuyler  running  to  aid  his 
brother-in-law,  draws  sword  to  head  him  ofif,  and  upon  the 
Rensselaerswyck  colonists  attempting  to  join  in  the  afifray,  he 
orders  the  cannon  of  Fort  Orange  loaded  at  once  and  trained  on 
the  patroon's  mansion,  a  dwelling  to  the  west  and  not  far  from 
the  fort,  Jan.  2. 

Director-General  Stuyvesant  writes  to  Vice-Director  Dyckman  to 
maintain  the  rights  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company's  gar- 
rison. Fort  Orange,  and  allow  none  to  .build  or  remain  in  houses 
already  erected  near  to  it,  which  proclamation  bearing  his  seal, 
he  orders  to  be  read  to  the  Rensselaerswyck  colonists,     Jan.  15. 

Dyckman  accompanied  by  an  armed  body-guard,  goes  to  Jan  Bap- 
tiste  Van  Rensselaer's  Manor  House  where  the  colonial  magis- 
trates are  in  session,  and  desires  that  the  Patroon  read  the 
proclamation  from  Stuyvesant  to  the  inhabitants  ;  but  Van  Rens- 
selaer is  angered,  maintaining  that  Dyckman  should  not  have 
come  with  armed  men  upon  his  land,  and  asserting,  "  It  shall 
not  be  done  so  long  as  we  have  a  drop  of  blood  in  our  veins, 
nor  until  we  receive  orders  from  their  high  mightinesses  and 


46  Founding. 

1652. 

honored  masters."  Whereupon  Dyckman  orders  the  Patroon's 
bell  rung,  and  being  refused,  rings  that  of  Fort  Orange  to  call 
together  the  inhabitants,  and  returns  to  Van  Rensselaer's  house. 
Here  he  orders  his  deputy  to  read  the  proclamation ;  but  Van 
Slechtenhorst  snatches  it  away,  and  in  tearing  it  the  seals  fall 
therefrom.  To  Dyckman's  threat  that  Stuyvesant  will  make 
him  suffer  severely,  he  laughingly  turns  to  his  colonists,  saying, 
"  Go  home,  good  friends,  it  is  only  the  wind  of  a  cannon-ball 
fired  six  hundred  paces  off."  January. 

Pieter  Stuyvesant  orders  Vice-Director  Dyckman  to  erect  a  number 
of  posts  six  hundred  paces  from  the  walls  of  Fort  Orange  (250 
Rhineland  rods  of  12  Rhineland  feet  of  12  36-100  inches,  being 
about  3,083  feet),  marking  each  with  the  West  India  Company's 
seal  and  nailing  to  boards  thereon,  at  each  post,  a  copy  of  the 
proclamation,  March  5. 

Vice-Director  Dyckman  plants  several  posts  as  directed  by  Stuyve- 
sant, some,  to  the  north,  at  Orange  street,  others  at  a  south 
line,  the  site  of  the  future  Gansevoort  street,  March  17. 

The  Rensselaerswyck  magistrates  order  the  high  constable  to  remove 
the  Fort  Orange  boundary-line  posts  set  out  by  Vice-Director 
Dyckman,  and  writes  to  Director-General  Stuyvesant  of  what 
he  considers  "  the  unbecoming  pretensions  and  attacks," 

March  19. 

Stuyvesant  writes  to  Dyckman  that  he  intends  to  visit  Fort  Orange 
with  such  means  as  will  enforce  his  proclamation,  it  being 
rumored  that  Dyckman  was  to  erect  a  gallows  and  hang  Patroon 
Jan  Baptiste  Van  Rensselaer,  Van  Slechtenhorst  and  the  co- 
lonial director's  son,  March. 

•     •     • 


Pieter  Stuyvesant,  having  come  to  Fort  Orange  to  straighten  out 
matters  between  the  West  India  Company  and  the  Manor  of 
Rensselaerswyck,  despatches  Sergeant  Litschoe  with  a  squad 
to  lower  the  Patroon's  flag,  and  upon  Van  Slechtenhorst  re- 
fusing, the  soldiers  enter  the  Patroon's  yard,  discharge  their 
firearms  and  lower  the  colors.  He  then  proclaims  that  the 
area  within  the  district  that  he  had  previously  ordered  staked 
out  about  the  fort  be  Dorpe  Beverswyck,  or  the  village  of 
Beverswyck,  meaning  where  beavers  gathered,  April    i. 


PIETER  STUYVESANT. 

He  was  the  doughty  Director-General  in  New  Amsterdam  for  the  Dutch 
West  India  Co.  and  issued  sundry  proclamations  here  which  aroused  the 
Rensselaerswyckians  to  wrath,  in  1648  and  1652. 


Founding.  47 

1652. 

Before  leaving  Fort  Orange,  Stuyvesant  institutes  a  court  and 
names  three  justices,  April  10. 

Director  Stuyvesant  having  had  his  proclamation  posted  at  the 
Rensselaerswyck  Court- fiouse,  \'an  Slechtenhorst  tears  down 
the  placard  and  attaches  his  own  in  its  stead,  to  maintain  thus 
the  rights  of  the  A'an  Rensselaer  Manor,  April  15. 

Van  Slechtenhorst  is  arrested  by  the  Fort  Orange  soldiers  for  his 
insubordinate  acts,  and  is  imprisoned  therein  with  such  solic- 
itous care  that  none  might  speak  to  him,  April  18. 

The  Director-General  conveys  land  south  of  the  Fuyck  kill  (the 
creek  also  known  as  the  Rutten  kill,  emptying  into  the  Hudson 
River  near  Hudson  avenue)  as  far  sovith  as  the  public  high 
road,  and  as  far  west  as  Jacob  Jansen's  farm,  to  be  a  site  for 
an  almshouse  and  its  supporting  farm  for  workers  or  inmates, 

April  23. 

Gerrit  Swart  is  commissioned  at  Amsterdam,  Holland,  to  be  the 
schout,  (sheriff)  of  Rensselaerswyck,  the  document  signed  by 
Johan  Van  Rensselaer  and  Giacomo  Bissels  for  the  co-directors, 

April  24. 

Jan  Baptiste  Van  Rensselaer,  who  was  the  first  of  that  family  name 
to  come  to  America  (arriving  at  Fort  Orange  in  1651)  becomes 
the  director  of  the  Manor,  his  power  of  attorney  bearing  this 
date.  May  8. 

Rev.  Gideon  Schaets  having  received  the  call  sent  from  Rensselaers- 
wyck to  take  charge  of  Dominie  Megapolensis'  congregation, 
he  signs  his  acceptance,  at  Amsterdam,  as  do  Johan  Van  Rens- 
selaer and  Toussaint  Mussart  for  the  co-directors,  and  his  term 
of  three  years  at  800  guilders  annually,  is  to  begin  when  ho 
arrives  at  his  destination  on  the  ship  Flower  of  Gelder,  on  which 
he  was  to  enjoy  free  passage  and  board.  May  8. 

Holland  and  England  wage  war,  because  the  latter  had  granted  her 
ship  owners  letters  of  reprisal  to  capture  Dutch  vessels  found 
sailing  the  seas.  A  naval  engagement  takes  place  between  the 
two  fleets  in  the  Straits  of  Dover,  May  29. 

The  Dutch  West  India  Company  writes  from  Amsterdam  a  letter  of 
warning  to  Stuyvesant  to  beware  of  the  English  inhabitants, 
and  if  they  rise  up  in  civil  conflict  he  suggests  that  they  employ 
the  Indians  to  subjugate  the  enemy.  It  is  also  advised  that 
the  erection  of  palisades  around  all  the  principal  settlements 
of  New  Netherland  may  be  a  wise  policy,  Aug.  6. 

As  the  vessel  bearing  the  advice  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company 
to  Stuyvesant,  directing  him  to  beware  of  the  English,  was 
captured  by  the  eijemy,  a  duplicate  is  sent  to  him,  Dec.  13. 


48  Founding. 

1653-1655. 


1  653. 


Pieter  Stuyvesant  waits  until  the  river  opens  in  the  spring  to  send 
the  directions  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  regarding  the 
building  of  palisades  and  the  strengthening  of  the  forts  against 
an  English  uprising,  to  Vice-Director  Dyckman,  and  the  news 
of  a  common  danger  brings  at  last  a  mutual  co-operation  of 
those  at  Rensselaerswyck  and  Fort  Orange,  March. 


1654. 


Stuyvesant  relents  regarding  his  strict  orders  not  to  build  settlers' 
houses  anywheres  near  the  fort,  between  Fuyck  and  Beaver 
kills,  and  grants  a  license  to  adrien  Jansen  Appel  of  Leyden 
to  build  near  Thomas  Jansen's  fence  provided  the  place  be  not 
used  as  a  tippling  house  but  as  a  tavern  to  accommodate 
strangers,  April  30. 

News  received  at  New  Amsterdam  of  the  establishment  of  peace 
between  England  and  Holland,  July  i6- 

Fort  Orange  observes  a  day  of  thanksgiving  because  of  the  declara- 
tion of  peace  and  the  possibility  of  conducting  business  with- 
out fear  of  an  unexpected  molestation  or  expending  further 
money  on  fortifications,  Aug.  12. 


1655. 


Marcelus  Jansen,  being  the  highest  bidder  for  the  tapsters'  excise 
for  the  year  and  giving  bonds  that  he  will  pay  the  sum  of  2,030 
guilders  in  good  strung  zewant,  becomes  the  collector  of  ex- 
cise duties,  and  each  tapster  is  expected  to  pay  a  revenue  to  the 
Dutch  West  India  Company  of  four  guilders  on  a  tun  of  home- 
brewed beer,  and  six  guilders  on  a  tun  of  the  imported,  April  23. 

Johannes  de  Decker  is  appointed  Vice-Director  for  the  Dutch  West 
India  Company  at  Fort  Orange  to  succeed  Dyckman,     June  21. 


Founding.  49 

1655-1656. 


Johannes  Dyckman,  a  man  little  liked,  pettish,  surly  and  malignant, 
incapacitated  to  continue  his  duties  as  \^ice-Director  at  Fort 
Orange  for  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  because  of  in- 
sanity, Jwiy- 

The  public  tapsters  of  Rensselaerswyck  refuse  to  allow  Vice-Director 
de  Decker  of  the  West  India  Company  to  collect  the  liquor  excise 
or  measure  their  wine  in  stock,  being  so  advised  by  Jan  Baptiste 
Van  Rensselaer,  who  held  that  money  collected  from  his  colony 
would,  be  used  by  the  West  India  Company  to  benefit  Fort 
Orange  but  not  Rensselaerswyck.  He  proposed  that  the  matter 
be  adjudicated  by  the  courts,  but  the  Director-General  at  New 
Amsterdam  retorted  that  it  would  be  lowering  himself  to  enter 
into  disputes  with  vassals, — the  Van  Rensselaers.  In  the  end 
they  had  to  appear  and  pay  fines  or  be  banished,  July. 


1656. 


A  general  moving  of  the  buildings  from  around  Fort  Orange  (on  the 
Steamboat  Square)  to  the  new  village  growing  at  the  north- 
ward, between  the  Fuyck  or  Rutten  kill  (opening  into  the 
river  at  the  foot  of  Hudson  avenue)  and  the  Foxen  or  Vossen 
kill  (being  the  stream  pouring  down  Canal  street  ravine,  empty- 
ing into  the  river  at  the  foot  of  Columbia  street).  As  a  result, 
it  was  thought  essential  to  have  a  place  of  defence  nearer  than 
the  one  mentioned,  and  subscriptions  are  taken  to  erect  at  the 
foot  of  Yonkers  (State)  street  what  would  be  a  block-house  in 
time  of  hostilities  and  a  church  when  things  were  peaceful. 
Rensselaerswyck  and  Beverswyck  were  united  in  the  expense, 
the  magistrates  of  Beverswyck  volunteering  1,500  guilders  and 
the  Patroon  of  Rensselaerswyck  subscribing  1,000  guilders, 

Feb.  18. 

The  Fort  Orange  and  Beverswyck  magistrates  write  a  request  to  the 
Director-General  at  New  Amsterdam  for  a  liberal  contribution 
to  help  build  the  new  church  that  is  required  in  place  of  the 
small,  old  building  (of  1646)  a  short  distance  northwest  of 
Fort  Orange,  March  10. 

Some  of  the  inhabitants  prefer  to  worship  according  to  the  profes- 
sion of  Augsburg,  as  Lutherans ;  but  the  withdrawal  of  such 
persons  from  the  Dutch  Church  is  regarded  as  unlawful,  and 
Vice-Director  de  Decker,  acting  in  the  interests  of  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company,  interdicts  them.  However,  the  Luther- 
ans continue  to  assemble,  March  10. 


50  Founding. 

1656-  1657. 


Having  received  no  reply  to  the  appeal  of  March  loth,  from  New 
Amsterdam,  the  local  magistrates  again  address  themselves  to 
the  officials  on  Manhattan  Island,  saying  they  "  are  much 
suprised  that  no  answer  to  our  last  letter,  at  least  none  on  the 
subject  of  our  expected  collection  there,  has  been  received  by  us 
*  *  *  in  the  event  of  a  failure  we  should  be  very  much  dis- 
turbed and  distressed  ;  even  if  everything  should  turn  out  for  the 
best,  it  would  be  very  difficult  to  collect  the  remainder  from 
the  church  here,"  April  8. 

The  magistrates  sign  a  contract  with  Jan  Van  Aecken  "  to  set  the 
church  so  far  on  his  smithy  as  the  width  of  the  door,  on 
condition  that  we  set  up  his  house  according  to  the  direction  of 
Rem  Janssen  and  leave  a  suitable  lot  for  the  bakery  and  re- 
move the  large  house  at  our  own  expense,"  May  13. 

Corner-stone  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  is  laid  by 
Rutger  Jacobsen,  magistrate,  Dominie  Schaets  officiating  in 
the  presence  of  the  civic  authorities,  its  location  being  a  little 
to  the  west  and  up  the  incline  of  the  hill,  of  the  exact  center 
of  intersection  of  Yonkers  (State)  and  Handelaars  or  Market 
( Broadway)  streets,  and  the  second  religious  edifice  ever 
erected  at  Fort  Orange,  is  constructed  like  a  block-house,  with 
loop-holes,  on  top  are  to  be  placed  three  small  cannon,  facing 
the  three  roads,  June  2. 

Johannes  de  la  Montague  appointed  Vice-Director  of  Fort  Orange, 

Sept.  28. 


1  657. 


Inhabitants  of  Beverswyck  avail  themselves  of  the  privilege  of 
enrolling  as  great  berghers  or  citizens  (burghers  recht)  by 
paying  50  guilders  to  the  burgomaster,  and  thus  were  entitled 
to  hold  office,  and  to  exemption  from  confiscation  of  property  and 
attainder  on  conviction  for  a  capital  offence.  Small  burghers 
paid  20  guilders  and  must  be  such  as  were  native-born,  had 
resided  in  the  place  and  kept  fire  and  light  therein  one  year 
and  six  weeks,  or  had  married  a  native-born  daughter  of  a 
burgher;  these  might  engage  in  trade  and  could  join  guilds, 
all  according  to  the  law  passed  at  this  date,  Feb.  2. 

Directors  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  write  from  Amsterdam 
to  Director  Stuyvesant  regarding  their  interest  in  the  comple- 
tion of  the  new  Dutch  Church  at  the  foot  of  Yonkers  (State) 


DUTCH  CHURCH. 

The  first  congregation  founded  here  was  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church, 
1642,  whose  first  edifice  was  at  Madison  ave.  and  Church  st.,  west  of  Fort  Orange. 
It  removed  to  center  of  State  st.  and  Broadway  ;  corner-stone  June  2,  1656.  A  stone 
building  (picture)  was  made  about  the  Vv'ooden  one  in  1715  ;  removed  1806. 


Founding.  51 

1657-  1658. 


street:  "In  this  vessel,  Verg-ulde  Meulen  (Gilt  Mill),  is  sent 
a  small  kerk  klockje  (church  bell)  which  had  been  solicited 
by  the  inhabitants  of  Fort  Orange  and  the  village  of  Bevers- 
wyck  for  their  newly-built  little  church.  Whereas  the  twenty- 
five  beaver-skins  which  were  brought  here  by  Dirck  Janssen 
Croon  were  greatly  damaged,  which  he  intended  to  defray 
from  their  sale  the  payment  of  a  predickstoel  (pulpit),  and 
by  which  misfortune  this  sum  was  not  sufficient,  so  we  listened 
to  his  persuasion  and  advanced  him  seventy-five  guilders  pur- 
posely to  inspire  the  congregation  with  more  ardent  zeal," 

April  7. 

Several  Mohawk  sachems  come  to  Fort  Orange  to  request  Vice- 
Director  La  Montague  to  aid  them  in  the  expected  assault  by 
the  Senecas.  They  desire  horses  to  convey  trees  from  the 
woods,  with  which  to  make  palisades,  and  also  the  promise 
that  in  event  of  a  conflict  their  squaws  may  find  refuge  at 
Beverswyck.  They  also  desire  to  borrow  a  cannon  to  be  used 
to  summon  their  warriors  from  the  forests  in  case  of  a  sudden 
battle  with  tomahawks,  which  mode  of  warfare  would  not 
announce  that  a-  conflict  was  in  progress,  June. 

The  magistrates  of  Beverswyck  reply  that  they  have  control  over 
no  horses,  but  they  could  induce  the  inhabitants  to  rent  them, 
and  would  care  for  their  women.  Regarding  the  cannon,  they 
would  address  the  Director-General  at  Manhattan,  June. 

Dominies  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  write  to  the  classis  of  Amster- 
dam, Holland,  that  "  the  condition  of  the  congregation  there 
(Fort  Orange)  is  most  gratifying;  it  grows  stronger  apace, 
so  as  to  be  almost  as  strong  as  we  are  here  at  Manhattan," 

Aug.  5. 

Dirk  Ben  Slick  pays  Francois  Boon  for  his  labor  making  the 
predickstoel  (pulpit)  and  hanging  the  bell  in  the  Dutch  Re- 
formed church  at  the  foot  of  Yonkers  (State)  street,  32  florins, 

Ausf.  10. 


1658. 


Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer  (the  second  son  of  Kiliaen)  succeeds  his 
brother  Jan  Baptiste  Van  Rensselaer  (who  had  come  to  America 
in  165 1 )  as  the  Director  of  the  Manor  of  Rensselaerswyck. 

Beaver-skins  numbering  37,640,  and  300  otter-skins  shipped  from 
the  vicinity  of  Fort  Orange  during  the  year,  December. 


52  Founding. 

1659. 

1659. 

The  Mohawk  nation  fears  an  invasion  of  the  French  from  Canada 
and  appeals  to  the  Dutch  at  Fort  Orange  as  follows :  "  The 
Dutch  call  us  brothers  and  declare  that  we  and  they  are  joined 
together  with  chains,  but  that  lasts  only  as  long  as  we  have 
beavers ;  after  that  no  attention  is  paid  to  us.  *  *  *  We 
have  heard  of  the  coming  of  our  enemies,  the  French.  If  we 
drink  too  much  liquor  we  cannot  fight.  We  therefore  desire 
you  not  to  sell  any  brandy  to  our  people,  but  to  put  the  bung 
in  our  casks.  *  *  *  When  we  go  away  now,  we  shall 
take  away  a  considerable  quantity  of  brandy,  and  after  that 
no  more,  for  we  will  burn  our  kegs.  *  *  *  w/q  desire 
that  the  smiths  should  repair  our  things,  even  when  our  people 
have  no  money,  or  let  them  have  much  or  little  wampum.  * 
::•  :|:  \,Yg  j^gi^  i\-y^^  |-|-|g  gunmakers  shall  hurry  making  the  guns 
and  not  let  us  wait  so  long  and  lose  time.  When  we  come 
from  the  country  and  the  muskets  are  all  repaired,  we  have 
no  powder.  You  must  therefore  give  us  some  powder,  and 
when  the  enemy  comes  you  must  be  willing  to  help  us.  You 
are  too  timid.  Send  fifty  or  sixty  men  to  assist  us.  *  *  •< 
Look  at  the  French  and  see  what  they  do  for  their  savages 
when  they  are  in  distress.  Do  as  they  do  and  help  us 
repair  our  palisades.  *  "  *  Come  to  us  with  thirty  men 
and  with  horses  to  chop  and  carry  wood  to  our  stockades  and 
assist  in  repairing  them.  The  Dutch  can  drag  their  wood- 
sleds  into  the  country,"  September  6. 

The  Dutch  of  Fort  Orange,  realizing  the  importance  of  retaining 
the  friendship  of  their  Indian  allies,  present  the  Mohawks  with 
beaver-skin  coats  and  the  magistrates  deem  it  a  wise  course 
to  distribute  50  guilders  among  the  sachems,  September. 

It  is  determined  that  twenty-five  men,  among  them  Arendt  Van 
Curler,  Philip  Pietersen  Schuyler,  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer. 
Adriaen  Gerritsen,  Francois  Boon  and  Volckert  Jansen  (Douw), 
be  delegated  to  go  from  Fort  Orange  and  make  a  new  treaty 
with  the  ]\Iohawks  at  Kaghnuwage,  on  Cayadutta  creek  where 
it  empties  into  the  Mohawk  (about  40  miles  west  of  Albany) 
while  the  savages  are  feeling  agreeably  disposed  towards  the 
Dutch  because  of  recent  presents  and  their  urgent  need  of 
help  from  Fort  Orange  in  their  defense  against  the  French, 

September. 


DUTCH  CHURCH  PULPIT. 
•     It  was  shipped  from  Holland  on  April  7,  1657.  on  the  Gilt  Mill  and  was 
placed  in  the  church  at  foot  of  State  st.,  Aug.  10,  1657-     I"  1906  it  was  in  the 
First  Dutch  Reformed  Church  on  No.  Pearl  st. 


Founding.  53 

1659. 

The  twenty-five  delegates  from  Fort  Orange  to  the  Mohawks  at 
Kaghnuwage  present  them  with  15  axes,  11  boxes  of  wampum, 
knives,  75  pounds  of  powder  and  100  pounds  of  lead,  and 
while  seated  about  the  council-fire  address  them  as  follows : 
''  Brothers,  we  have  come  here  only  to  renew  our  old  friend- 
ship and  brotherhood.  You  must  tell  it  to  your  children.  Ours 
will  know  it  for  all  time  to  come,  and  will  be  reminded  of  it 
by  the  writings  which  we  shall  bequeath  to  them.  We  shall 
die,  but  these  will  remain,  and  from  them  they  will  learn  that 
we  have  lived  with  our  brothers  in  peace.  Brothers,  we  could 
not  bring  any  cloth,  for  we  could  not  get  men  to  carry  it. 
Merchandise  cannot  buy  friendship.  Our  heart  has  always  been 
good  and  still  continues  to  be.  If  that  is  of  no  value  to  you, 
then  we  come  not  to  purchase  friendship  even  if  the  land 
were  full  of  merchandise  and  beavers.  *  *  *  Brothers, 
sixteen  years  have  passed  since  you  and  the  Dutch  made  the 
first  treaty  of  friendship  and  brotherhood  that  joined  us  together 
with  an  iron  chain.  Since  that  time  it  has  not  been  broken 
either  by  us  or  by  our  brothers,  and  we  have  no  fear  that  it 
will  be  broken  by  either  of  us.  We  will,  therefore,  not  speak 
of  it  any  more,  but  will  always  live  as  if  we  had  one  heart. 
*  *  *  Brothers,  eighteen  days  ago  you  were  with  us  and 
made  your  proposals  to  your  Dutch  brothers.  We  did  not 
give  you  a  definite  answer  then  for  we  were  expecting  Chief 
Stuyvesant  and  we  promised  to  inform  you  when  he  should 
have  arrived.  He  is  now  sick  and  cannot  come.  What  we 
now  say  is  ordered  by  Chief  Stuyvesant,  by  all  the  other 
chiefs,  and  by  all  the  Dutch  and  their  children.  *  *  * 
Brothers,  we  speak  for  this  and  all  future  time,  in  our  own 
behalf  and  in  behalf  of  all  the  Dutch  now  in  the  country  or 
who  may  yet  come,  and  in  behalf  of  all  the  children,  for  we 
cannot  come  here  every  day,  as  the  roads  are  very  bad  for 
traveling.  Hereafter  you  mu.st  have  no  doubt  of  our  remaining 
always  brothers.  Whenever  some  tribe  or  any  savages,  who- 
ever they  may  be,  come  to  incite  you  to  war  and  say  that  the 
Dutch  intended  to  fight  against  you,  do  not  regard  them,  do 
not  believe  them,  but  tell  them  they  lie.  We  shall  say  the 
same  of  you  if  they  tell  the  same  of  our  brothers.  We  shall 
not  believe  any  prattlers,  neither  shall  we  fight  against  you, 
nor  will  we  leave  you  in  distress  if  we  are  able  to  help  you. 
But  we  cannot  compel  our  smiths  and  gunmakers  to  repair  the 
muskets  of  our  brothers  without  pay,  for  the  gunsmiths  must 


54  Founding. 

1659. 

earn  food  for  their  wives  and  children,  who  otherwise  would 
perish  from  hunger.  If  the  smiths  were  to  receive  no  wampum 
for  their  work  they  would  remove  from  our  country,  and  then 
we  and  our  brothers  would  be  much  embarrassed.  *  *  * 
Brothers,  eighteen  days  ago  you  requested  us  not  to  sell  brandy 
to  your  people  and  to  bung  our  casks.  Brothers,  do  not  allow 
your  people  to  come  to  us  for  brand)^  and  none  shall  be  sold 
them.  Only  two  days  ago  we  met  twenty  to  thirty  kegs  on  the 
road  all  going  to  obtain  brandy.  Our  chiefs  are  very  angry 
because  the  Dutch  sell  brandy  to  your  people,  and  always  forbid 
our  people  to  do  it.  Xow  forbid  your  people  to  buy  brandy. 
If  you  desire  that  we  should  take  the  brandy  and  the  kegs 
containing  it  from  your  people,  say  it  before  all  these  people, 
and  if  we  afterward  do  it  you  must  not  be  angry.  Brothers, 
we  now  give  you  a  present  of  powder  and  lead,  which  you 
must  not  waste  if  you  want  to  attack  your  enemies.  Rightly 
use  it  and  divide  it  among  your  young  men.  Brothers,  we 
see  that  you  are  very  busy  cutting"  wood  to  build  your  fort. 
You  asked  us  for  horses  to  haul  wood,  but  horses  cannot  do 
it,  for  the  hills  are  too  high  and  steep,  and  your  Dutch  brothers 
cannot  carry  the  wood  because  'they  have  become  too  weak  in 
marching  to  this  place,  as  you  may  perceive  by  looking  at 
them.  *  '■'-  *  Inasmuch  as  our  brothers  sometimes  break 
their  axes  in  cutting  wood,  we  now  present  you  with  fifteen 
axes.  Brothers,  as  some  of  your  people  and  some  Alahicanders 
and  Sinnekus/ sometimes  kill  our  horses,  cows,  pigs  and  goats, 
we  ask  our  brothers  to  forbid  their  people  to  do  it,'' 

September  24. 

The  Fort  Orange  delegates  start  on  their  return,  and  on  reading  a 
letter  just  received  from  Vice-Director  La  Montague,  stating 
that  the  River  Indians  were  fighting  the  Dutch  settlers  at 
Esopus,  the  Mohawk  chief  says  to  them  that  should  the  River 
Indians  apply  to  them  for  aid  in  waging  w^arfare  against  the 
Dutch,  he  will  say  to  them,  "  Begone  you  beasts,  you  pigs ; 
depart  from  us,  we  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  you." 

September  25. 

The  inhabitants  of  Rensselaerswyck  and  Beverswyck  fearing  an 
attack  by  the  River  Indians,  located  about  Esopus,  Saugerties 
and  along  the  west  shore  of  the  river  principally,  commence 
erecting  an  enormous  stockade  to  comprise  about  the  entire 
settlement,  October. 


Founding.  55 

1660. 

1660. 

Jacob  Leyselcr  (  Leisler,  as  commonly  spelled  later),  a  German  of 
Frankfort  ( by  his  own  statement  in  writing,  and  who  is  to 
occupy  the  most  prominent  role  in  the  Province  of  New  York, 
particularly  at  Albany,  in  1689),  is  sent  over  by  the  Dutch  West 
India  Company  from  Amsterdam,  in  the  ship  Golden  Otter, 
too  poor  to  pay  13.8  florins  for  his  musket,  and  for  a  bed  and 
chest  3.10  florins,  as  well  as  being-  in  debt  to  Hendrick  Stend- 
ericker  for  a  loan  of  50  florins  pledged  on  his  soldier's  pay, 
as  noted  in  an  entry  made  on  the  books  of  the  company, 

April. 

The  River  Indians  conclude  a  peace  treaty  with  the  Dutch  at 
Esopus,  and  thus  terminates  the  warfare,  the  people  of  Fort 
Orange  becoming  less  timorous,  July   15. 

The  enormous  new  stockade  surrounding  Rensselaerswyck  and 
Beverswyck,  now  completed,  enclosing  the  area  from  Hudson 
avenue  northward  along  the  river  to  a  point  about  one  hundred 
feet  north  of  the  foot  of  Maiden  Lane,  to  the  northeast  corner 
of  Broadway  and  Steuben  street,  to  North  Pearl  street  at  a 
place  192  feet  north  of  Maiden  Lane,  to  State  street  at  about 
the  intersection  of  Lodge  street,  to  South  Pearl  street  at  a 
point  near  Beaver  street,  to  a  point  on  Green  street  75  feet 
north  of  Hudson  avenue,  to  the  corner  of  Broadway  and 
Hudson  avenue,  and  thence  to  the  river  at  the  Fuyck  kill's 
mouth,  all  of  which  is  to  be  paid  for  by  a  tax  of  3  guilders 
on  each  chimney,  as  agreed  by  ordinance  this  day,       July  25. 

Considerable  trouble  is  experienced  by  the  custom  of  Dutch  fur 
merchants  sending  out  boschloopers  (forest-runners)  into  the 
woods  as  agents  to  buy  up  furs  being  brought  to  the  settle- 
ments by  the  Indians,  the  runners  often  surrounding  the  owner 
of  a  skin  for  sale  and  sometimes  beat  him  into  an  unconscious 
condition  in  the  altercation  over  a  barter  between  competitors. 
The  Indians  complain  as  follows  to  Director  Stuyvesant :  "  We 
request  that  we  may  barter  our  beavers  at  pleasure  and  may 
not  be  locked  up  by  the  Dutch,  but  may  go  with  our  beavers 
where  we  please,  without  being  beaten.  When  we  are  some- 
times in  a  trader's  house  and  wish  to  go  to  another's  to  buy 
goods  which  suit  us,  then  we  get  a  good  beating,  so  that  w^ 
do  not  know  where  our  eyes  are.  This  conduct  ought  not  to 
continue ;  each  ought  to  be  allowed  to  go  where  he  pleases  and 
where  the   goods  suit  him  best,"  August. 


56  Founding. 

1661-1662. 


1661. 

A  movement  is  started  by  Arendt  Van  Curler  to  locate  families 
from  Beverswyck  on  the  Great  Flat  (Groote  Vlachte,  site  of 
Schenectady),  provided  he  may  be  granted  land  by  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company,  believing  secretly  that  they  would  be 
the  first  ones  to  secure  animal  skins  as  they  are  being  brought 
to  Fort  Orange  by  the  savages.  May. 

Director-General  Stuyvesant  grants  the  petition  of  Arendt  Van 
Curler  and  others  to  purchase  land  of  the  Mohawk  Indians,  to 
found  a  settlement  at  site  of  Schenectady,  June  22,. 

Arendt  Van  Curler  and  his  friends  at  Fort  Orange  purchase  the 
land  called  wSchonowe  by  the  Mohawks,  at  site  of  Schenectady, 

July  27. 


1662. 


Three  Frenchmen  arrive  at  Beverswyck  in  famished  condition, 
having  eaten  only  berries  and  bark  for  nine  days  after  their 
escape  from  a  band  of  Mohawks  and  Oneidas,  who  had  made 
an  attack  upon  an  outpost  near  Montreal  and  killed  14  French 
soldiers  and  80  Indians,  July. 

Conferences  held  at  Fort  Orange  between  Director-General  Stuy- 
vesant of  New  Amsterdam,  two  delegates  sent  by  the  governors 
of  Boston  and  Nova  Scotia,  and  the  Mohawk  chiefs  to  inquire 
why  the  latter  had  broken  faith  and  allowed  three  hundred  of 
the  tribe  to  foray  about  the  Kennebec  and  Penobscot  rivers, 
killing  cattle  and  burning  barns.  The  promise  is  made  not  to 
trespass  on  the  English  settlements,  or  go  into  Connecticut  to 
commit  depredations  there,  as  threatened,  August. 

The  inhabitants  of  Rensselaerswyck  and  Beverswyck  discover  that 
the  new  settlers  on  the  Great  Flat  (Schenectady)  are  obtaining 
all  the  furs  that  are  daily  brought  from  the  westward  by  the 
Indians,  which  greatly  lessens  the  trade  of  those  villages  on 
the  Hudson,  and  forthwith  formally  petition  Director-General 
Stuyvesant  at  New  Amsterdam  to  prohibit  this  procedure  by 
a  law  and  penalty,  that  the  trade  may  not  be  interrupted  on 
its   course  to   Fort   Orange. 

Capt.  Jacob  Leisler,  who  had  been  sent  over  from  Amsterdam  by 
the  Dutch  West  India  Company  in  April,  1660,  on  the  Golden 
Otter,  marries  Elsje  Tymans,  the  daughter  of  x\nneke  Janse's 
sister,  Maritje,  and  widow  of  Pieter  Cornelise  Van  der  Veen. 


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Founding.  57 

1663. 

1663. 

Dirk  Van  Schelluyne,  notary  public  of  Beverswyck,  draws  the  will 
for  Anneke  Janse  (Bogardus),  residing  at  the  time  in  her 
own  home  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Yonkers  (State)  street 
and  Middle  Lane  (James  street),  she  being  sick  in  bed  and 
expecting  to  die,  which  is  witnessed  by  Rutger  Jacobsen  and 
Evert  Janse  Wendell.  This  will  provides  for  the  disposal  of 
her  estate  in  New  Amsterdam  (New  York  city)  which  consists 
of  an  enormous  farm,  reaching  from  Broadway  to  the  Hudson 
river  and  Warren  to  Christopher  street  (later  to  become  the 
property  of  Trinity  Church  and  contested  by  innumerable 
descendants),  Jan.  29. 

The  West  India  Company's  engineer,  Jacques  Corteljon,  is  directed 
not  to  survey  any  land  for  those  who  would  settle  at  the  Grootc 
Vlachte  (Schenectady)  unless  each  tenant  or  purchaser  signs 
the  following  instrument:  "We,  the  undersigned,  proprietors 
of  land  on  the  flat,  *  *  *  promise  herewith  that  we  will 
have  no  dealings  with  the  savages,  whatever  name  they  may 
have,  on  the  said  flat  or  thereabouts,  nor  will  we  permit  such 
trade  under  any  pretext  whatsoever,  neither  directly  nor  in- 
directly, under  the  penalty  that  if  we  or  any  of  us  should 
hereafter  happen  to  forget  this,  our  promise,  we  shall  pay  as 
a  fine,  without  any  resistance  whatever,  the  first  time  fifty 
beavers,  the  second  time  one  hundred,  and  the  third  time 
forfeit  the  land  allotted  to  and  obtained  by  us  on  the  aforesaid 
flat.     This  we  confirm  by  our  signatures  at  Fort  Orange." 

January. 

Arendt  Van  Curler  and  .others  who  were  to  form  a  settlement  at 
the  site  of  Schenectady  object  to  abandoning  the  profitable  fur 
trade,  since  that  had  been  their  object  in  locating  at  the  new 
place,  saying:  "We  bought  the  land  with  our  own  money 
for  the  company  (to  be  repaid  at  a  convenient  time),  took 
possession  of  it  with  much  expense,  erected  buildings  on  it. 
and  stocked  it  with  horses  and  cattle.  If  the  proprietors  are 
to  be  treated  in  a  different  manner  or  with  less  consideration 
than  the  other  inhabitants,  then  all  their  labor  has  been  unre- 
warded, and  they  are  completely  ruined.  *  *  *  Inasmuch 
as  the  surveyor  is  now  here,  but  has  no  order  to  survey  the 
land  unless  this  pledge  is  signed,  w^e  request  that  the  surveyor 
be  authorized  to  survey  the  land  in  order  to  prevent  differences 


58  Founding. 

1663. 

and   disputes   among  us,   else   we   shall  be   compelled  to   help 
ourselves  as  best  we  can.'' 

River  Indians  massacre  21  persons  at  Esopus,  and  make  42  prison- 
ers, June  7. 

Stuyvesant  sends  orders  to  Beverswyck  to  take  warning  by  the 
Esopus  massacre  and  adequately  fortify  the  place,  removing  all 
huts  from  near  the  fort  by  the  river,  June  12. 

Stuyvesant  requests  that  Beverswyck  send  to  him  four  cannon, 
needful  in  fortifying  outlying  settlements  near  Manhattan,  and 
suggests  that  some  soldiers  be  sent  to  Esopus ;  also,  that  the 
Mohawks  capture  some  of  the  River  Indians  in  order  that  they 
might  be  employed  in  an  exchange  for  the  Dutchmen  captured 
on  the  7th  at  Esopus,  June   15. 

Stuyvesant  sides  with  the  inhabitants  of  Fort  Orange,  and  orders 
that  no  goods  be  forwarded  to  Schenectady  and  that  the  West 
India  Company's  commissary  proceed  there  with  magistrates 
to  "  take  up  the  goods  and  merchandise  already  there," 

June    18. 

\'ice-Director  La  Montague  at  Fort  Orange  writes  to  Stuyvesant 
at  New  Amsterdam,  that  the  removal  of  wooden  dwellings  from 
near  the  fort  would  entail  too  severe  a  loss  upon  the  inhabitants, 
and  as  a  consequence  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  would 
have  to  indemnify  them,  June  23. 

La  Montague  writes  that  were  he  to  send  four  cannon  to  New 
Amsterdam  there  would  be  but  two  left  in  the  fort  as  "  Mr. 
Rensselaer  claims  three  of  these  pieces  and  demands  them 
immediately  to  place  them  in  a  little  fort  or  fortification  at 
Greenbush  that  they  have  built  there  (Fort  Crailo),  and  if  your 
honor  takes  four  from  those  remaining  not  more  than  two 
would  be  left  us.  It  is  true  that  there  are  still  three  light 
pieces  which  the  magistrates  brought  from  Mr.  Rensselaer's 
place  in  1656,  and  placed  on  the  church,"  June  29. 

The  Dutch  hold  a  colonial  assembly  (landts  vergaderinge)  at  New 
Amsterdam,  with  delegates  from  Breucklen,  Bergen,  Haarlem, 
New  Utrecht  and  other  nearby  places  present;  but  none  from 
Rensselaerswyck  or  Beverswyck,  it  being  too  near  the  winter 
for  them  to  risk  sailing  down,  with  the  object  of  complaining 
about  the  many  deplorable  conditions  to  the  Dutch  West  India 
Company,  and  pointing  out  several  promises  made  in  1629  in 
the  charter  of  privileges  and  exemptions,  by  maintaining  their 
individual  rights  to  the  lands  settled  upon,  whereas  the  English 
are  secretly  planning  to  overthrow  these  claims  by  obtaining 
possession  of  the  country  under  pretense  of  ownership  under 


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Founding.  59 

1  663-  1664. 


the  Cabot  discoveries  in  North  America  in  1497,  declaring^: 
"  The  Eng-hsh,  to  conceal  their  plans,  now  declare  that  there 
is  no  proof,  no  legal  instrument  or  patent  from  their  high 
mightinesses  to  substantiate  and  justify  our  rights  and  claims 
to  the  possession  of  this  province,  and  insinuate  that  by  the 
delay  of  their  mightinesses  to  grant  such  patent,  you  seemingly 
intended  to  place  the  people  here  on  slippery  ice,  giving  them 
lands  to  which  your  honors  had  no  right  whatever ;  that  this 
is,  indeed,  the  real  cause  of  our  being  kept  continually  in  a 
labyrinth,  and  the  reason  why  the  well-intentioned  English, 
settled  under  your  government  are  at  a  loss  how  to  perform 
the  obligations  of  their  oaths.  *  *  *  There  is  no  doubt 
then,  at  least  the  apprehension  is  very  strong,  that  we  must 
expect  the  loss  of  the  whole  of  this  province  ;  or  that  it  will 
be  circumscribed  with  such  narrow  limits  that  it  will  resemble 
only  a  useless  carcass,  devoid  of  limbs  and  form,  deprived  of 
all  its  internal  parts,  its  head  separated  from  its  trunk,  and 
your  remonstrants,  consequently,  so  closely  cooped  up,  if  not 
entirely  crushed,  that  they  at  last  will  be  compelled,  to  their 
irreparable  ruin,  to  abandon  this  country  in  despair,  and  become 
outcasts  with  their  families,"  Nov.  i. 

Plague  of  smallpox  at  Fort  Orange,  with  more  than  one  death 
daily  in  the  small  settlement  (a  large  percentage),  and.it  is 
said  that  so  many  as  a  thousand  Indians  above  New  Amsterdam 
had  died  of  it,  November. 


1664. 


King  Charles  II.  heeds  the  counsel  of  those  who,  perceiving  that 
the  Hudson  River  territory  in  America  is  yielding  profitable 
returns  by  its  enormous  fur  trade  with  Holland,  wovild  assert 
the  right  of  previous  discovery,  and  so  to  bring  about  the  con- 
version of  New  Netherland  to  the  English  dominion  he  grants 
New  England,  Long  Island,  the  Hudson  River  and  the  land 
west  of  Connecticut  to  the  eastern  bounds  of  Delaware  Bay, 
to  his  brother,  James,  Duke  of  York  and  Albany ;  allowing 
him  four  men-of-war  and  450  men  under  Col.  Richard  Nicolls, 
to  carry  his  plans  of  subjugation  into  efifect,  March  12. 

A  call  is  issued  for  a  General  Assembly  of  the  Lords  and  Council 
of  New  Netherland,  to  be  held  at  New  Amsterdam,     March  19. 

The   court  of   Rensselaerswyck   deputizes   Director   Jeremias   Van 


6o  Founding. 

1664. 

Rensselaer  and  Secretary  Dirck  Van  Schelluyne  to  attend  the 
General  Assembly  as  the  colony's  representatives,  April  3. 

For  the  second  time  the  General  Assembly  convenes,  in  the  New 
Amsterdam  City  Hall,  because  of  the  alarm  that  the  English 
are  likely  to  possess  the  property  of  the  Dutch  of  New  Nether- 
land,  the  Fort  Orange  delegates  to  it  being  Messrs.  Gerrit  Van 
Slechtenhorst  and  Jan  Verbeck ;  those  from  Rensselaerswyck, 
Dirck  Van  Schelluyne  and  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer,  and  as 
the  latter  colony  was  the  oldest  in  New  Netherland,  the  last- 
named  delegate  is  made  president  of  the  Assembly,      April  10. 

After  a  debate  by  the  General  Assembly  as  to  methods  to  employ  to 
thwart  the  designs  of  the  English  and  a  recess  of  a  week, 
despatches  are  received  from  Holland  that  inform  them  that 
on  January  23rd  of  this  year  the  Lords  States-General  had 
reaffirmed  the  validity  of  the  charter  given  on  June  3,  1621. 
by  their  high  mightinesses  to  the  West  India  Company,  and 
the  company  desires  that  they  exterminate  the  Esopus  Indians 
and  fight  any  incursion  of  the  avaricious  English,  April. 

Stuyvesant  concludes  that  as  the  English  outnumber  the  Dutch 
six  to  one,  it  were  best  not  to  think  of  contending  at  arms 
with  them,  and  that  regarding  the  Indians,  the  better  part  of 
valor  would  be  an  amicable  agreement,  May  i. 

Director-General  Stuyvesant  and  the  River  Indians'  chiefs  sign  a 
peace  treaty  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  May   16. 

It  is  ordered  by  proclamation  that  the  formation  of  a  peace  treaty 
be  celebrated  throughout  New  Netherland,  May  31. 

A  day  of  general  thanksgiving  because  of  the  favorable  outlook 
for  peace  throughout  New  Netherland,  June  4. 

Indians,  instigated  by  word  sent  from  the  English,  kill  nine  cattle 
on  the  Van   Rensselaer   farm  in  Greenbush,  July  7. 

Stuyvesant  learns  that  the  English  fleet  is  on  its  way  to  New 
Netherland,  and  writes  to  Vice-Director  La  Montague  and 
Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer  to  warn  the  inhabitants  of  Fort 
Orange  and  Rensselaerswyck,  as  well  as  to  plead  assistance  to 
protect  Manhattan,  which  of  necessity  is  prone  to  be  the  first 
place  of  attack  by  men-of-war,  as  follows :  "  These  few  lines 
only  serve  to  communicate  the  information  furnished  to-day  by 
different  persons  concerning  the  English  frigates  that  have  so 
long  been  spoken  of.  That  they  have  already  put  to  sea  and 
are  manned  and  armed  as  was  admitted  and  confirmed  is 
beyond  a  doubt,  but  their  destination  is  still  mere  report  as  the 
inclosed  information  implies,  yet  from  the  circumstances  it 
may  be  presumed  without  difficulty  that  they  might  indeed  come 


Founding.  6i 

1664. 

directly  here  to  this  river.  We  have  thonc^ht  it  necessary  to 
give  your  honor  and  those  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck 
speedy  notice  and  knowledge  thereof,  to  the  end  that  you  and 
we  may  be  on  our  guard  and  prepare  for  all  possible  resistance, 
and  as  it  is  apparent  that  this  place  may  bear  the  first  and  the 
severest  shock,  and  if  lost,  little  hope  would  remain  for  the 
rest,  we  would  therefore  earnestly  recommend  you,  with  all 
possible  speed,  according  to  the  promise  given  at  the  General 
Assembly,  to  furnish  such  assistance,  especially  powder  and 
lead,  as  circumstances  may  in  any  way  permit,  the  sooner  the 
better,  for  the  need  is  pressing.  At  the  same  time  we  would 
recommend  and  pray  you  to  negotiate  a  loan  of  five  or  six 
thousand  guilders  in  wampum  for  the  honorable  company,  and 
to  send  it  down  by  the  first  opportunity  to  pay  the  laboring 
people.  The  obligations,  you  may  be  assured,  will  be  repaid 
satisfactorily,  either  in  negroes  or  other  commodities,  in  case 
the  gracious  God,  as  we  hope  and  wish,  will  grant  a  favorable 
result,"  July  8. 

Indians  burn  the  residence  of  Abraham  Staats  and  himself,  while 
his  wife  and  one  negro  are  not  to  be  found,  July  ii. 

A  letter  is  sent  to  Pieter  Stuyvesant  by  the  magistrates,  stating: 
"  We  are  in  great  trouble,  peril  and  perplexity.  Now  in  reply 
to  your  honor's  letter  of  the  eighth  of  July,  handed  us  this 
day  by  Gerrit  Virbeck,  respecting  what  j^ou  have  been  pleased 
to  communicate  to  us  concerning  the  frigates,  we  have  scarcely 
any  doubt  of  the  probability  of  their  coming  to  attack  us  as 
appears  from  the  reports  of  the  Indians  and  the  declarations 
made  here  to  the  court,  according  to  the  papers  accompanying 
this  communication.  Wherefore  we  request  your  honors  to 
aid  us  with  your  wise  counsel.  *  *  *  Respecting  the  supply 
of  powder  and  lead  which  your  honors  have  been  pleased  to 
request,  the  Director  and  Council  will  be  so  good  as  to  consider 
that  in  this  emergency  we  have  the  greatest  need  of  what  is 
very  scarce  here,"  July  ii. 

Affairs  at  Fort  Orange  are  in  the  greatest  uncertainty  at  this  time, 
and  the  inhabitants  in  mortal  dread,  not  only  of  the  approach- 
ing conflict  with  the  English ;  but  discovering  that  the  Indians 
of  the  vicinity  have  been  threatened  with  extinction  unless 
they  murder  and  pillage  at  the  Dutch  settlements,  a  chief  of  the 
River  Indians  coming  up  the  Hudson  to  warn  them  in  a  spirit 
of  friendship,  as  follows :  "  Brothers,  we  will  conceal  nothing 
from  you  since  you  have  lived  among  us  a  very  long  time 
and  have  had   vour  wives   and   children   among  us,   and   vou 


62  Founding. 

1664. 

understand  our  language  quite  well.  The  English  told  and 
commanded  the  savages  to  fight  and  kill  the  Maquaas  and  the 
Dutch ;  and  the  English  threatened,  that  if  they  did  not  do  it, 
to  kill  them.  They  further  told  that  forty  vessels  are  coming 
frOm  Europe  to  wage  war  and  demand  the  surrender  of  the 
country,  and  if  we  decline  to  surrender  that  they  will  kill  us 
to  the  last  man,  and  then  the  English  will  fight  against  the 
Dutch,"  July  12. 

One  of  the  four  English  frigates  is  seen  off  Sandy  Hook  entering 
the  bay,  July  26. 

Three  more  English  frigates  enter  the  bay  at  Manhattan,  join  the 
other,  and  all  sail  up  the  river,  anchoring  in  Nyack  Bay,  July  27. 

Stuyvesant  writes  of  occurrences  to  the  Fort  Orange  officials,  add- 
ing :  ''  Yesterday,  being  Thursday,  three  more  arrived  and 
sailed  up  into  Najack  Bay,  where  they  are  still  at  anchor. 
*  *  *  Evidently  it  is  to  be  inferred  that  they  will  endeavor 
to  reduce  not  only  this  capital  but  also  the  whole  province 
to  obedience  to  England.  The  naval  and  military  force  from 
old  England  is  estimated  at  seventeen  hundred ;  some  say  two 
thousand  men,  in  addition  to  the  crowd  daily  expected  from 
New  England.  You  can  easily  imagine  in  what  a  state  of 
embarrassment  and  anxiety  we  find  ourselves  without  the  hope 
of  any  relief.  Therefore  this  serves  chiefly  to  warn  your 
honors  and  all  friends  particularly  and  mainly  not  to  send 
down  any  beavers  nor  peltries  for  fear  of  their  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  English.  It  is  desired,  and,  indeed,  it  is  most 
necessary  that  your  honors  should  assist  us  with  some  aid  in 
men  and  powder,  in  case  any  hope  or  means  remain  of  trans- 
porting and  bringing  them  here  in  season  and  safety,"    July  29. 

Director-General  Stuyvesant  sails  for  Fort  Orange  to  explain  that 
an  amicable  adjustment  at  this  crisis  is  likely,  as  King  Charles 
II.  of  England  was  dealing  with  the  people  in  Holland  so  as 
"  to  bring  all  of  his  dominions  under  one  form  of  government, 
both  in  church  and  state,"  July  31. 

Stuyvesant,  who  thought  matters  had  quieted  down  before  he 
undertook  to  visit  Fort  Orange  on  the  last  day  of  July,  ended 
his  visit  at  Fort  Orange  suddenly  and  sailed  for  New  Amster- 
dam, because  the  people  there  had  clamored  that  all  business 
was  abandoned  on  the  news  that  the  English  men-of-war  had 
reached  Boston,  and  that  they  expected  the  Duke  of  York 
and  Albany  to  possess  their  city  any  day,  and  the  Director 
arrives  back  at  Manhattan  to  assume  the  difficult  task  of  con- 
tinuing the  control  of  the  place  for  the  Dutch,  Aug.  25. 


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Founding.  63 

1664. 

Col.  Richard  Nicolls,  commander  of  the  English  fleet  of  King 
Charles  II.,  demands  the  surrender  of  New  Amsterdam, 

Aug.  30. 

Gen.  Pieter  Stuyvesant  asserts  the  rights  of  the  Dutch  at  Man- 
hattan and  throughout  New  Netherland  in  an  endeavor  to  per- 
suade Colonel  Nicolls  to  depart,  Sept.  i. 

The  Dutch  and  English  commissioners  seek  an  amicable  adjust- 
ment, and  draw  up  articles  of  surrender  to  the   English, 

Sept.  6. 

Director-General  Pieter  Stuyvesant,  chief  officer  for  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company  of  Holland  in  New  Netherland  (later 
the  Province  and  then  the  State  of  New  York),  that  company 
having  a  grant  by  which  it  had  possession  under  the  protection 
of  Holland,  signs  reluctantly  the  document  of  surrender  to 
the  English.  The  articles  of  agreement  read :  "  I.  We  con- 
sent that  the  States-General,  or  the  West  India  Company,  shall 
freely  injoy  all  farms  and  houses  (except  such  as  are  in  the 
forts),  and  that  within  six  months,  they  shall  have  free  liberty 
to  transport  all  such  arms  and  ammunition  as  now  does  belong 
to  them,  or  else  they  shall  be  paid  for  them.  II.  All  publique 
houses  shall  continue  for  the  uses  which  they  are  for.  III.  All 
people  shall  still  continue  free  denizens,  and  shall  injoy  their 
lands,  goods,  wheresoever  they  are  within  this  country,  and  dis- 
pose of  them  as  they  please.  I\'.  If  any  inhabitant  have  a  mind 
to  remove  himself,  he  shall  have  a  year  and  six  weeks  from  this 
day  to  move  himself,  wife,  children,  servants,  goods,  and  to 
dispose  of  his  lands  here.  V.  If  any  officer  of  state,  or  pub- 
lique minister  of  state,  have  a  mind  to  go  for  England,  they 
shall  be  transported  fraught  free,  in  his  Majesty's  frigotts, 
when  these  frigotts  shall  return  thither.  VI.  It  is  consented 
to,  that  any  people  may  freely  come  from  the  Netherlands  and 
plant  in  this  colony,  and  that  Dutch  vessels  may  freely  come 
hither,  and  any  of  the  Dutch  may  freely  return  home,  or  send 
any  sort  of  merchandise  home,  in  vessels  of  their  own  country. 
VII.  All  ships  from  the  Netherlands,  or  any  other  place  and 
goods  therein,  shall  be  received  here,  and  sent  hence,  after  the 
manner  which  formerly  they  were  before  our  coming  hither, 
for  six  months  next  ensuing.  VIII.  The  Dutch  here  shall 
injoy  the  liberty  of  their  consciences  in  divine  worship  and 
church  discipline.  IX.  No  Dutchman  here,  or  Dutch  ship  here, 
shall  upon  any  occasion,  be  pressed  to  serve  in  war  against  any 
nation  whatsoever.  X.  That  the  townsmen  of  the  Manhattans 
shall  not  have  any  soldiers  quartered  upon  them,  without  being 


64  Founding. 

1664. 

satisfied  and  paid  for  them  by  their  officers,  and  that  at  this 
present,  if  the  fort  be  not  capable  of  lodging  all  the  soldiers, 
then  the  Burgomasters,  by  their  officers,  shall  appoint  some 
houses  capable  to  receive  them.  XI.  The  Dutch  here  shall 
injoy  their  own  customs  concerning  their  inheritances.  XII. 
All  publique  writings  and  records,  which  concern  the  inherit- 
ances of  any  people,  or  the  reglement  of  the  church  or  poor, 
or  orphans,  shall  be  carefully  kept  by  those  in  whose  hands 
now  they  are,  and  such  writings  as  particularly  concern  the 
States-General,  may  at  any  time  be  sent  to  them.  XIII.  No 
judgment  that  has  passed  any  judicature  here,  shall  be  called 
in  question,  but  if  any  conceive  that  he  hath  not  had  justice 
done  him,  if  he  apply  himself  to  the  States-General,  the  other 
party  shall  be  bound  to  answer  for  the  supposed  injury.  XIV. 
If  any  Dutch  living  here  shall  at  any  time  desire  to  travaile 
or  traffique  into  England,  or  any  place,  or  plantation,  in  obedi- 
ence to  his  Majesty  of  England,  or  with  the  Indians,  he  shall 
have  (upon  his  request  to  the  Governor)  a  certificate  that  he  is 
a  free  denizen  of  this  place,  and  liberty  to  do  so.  XV.  If  it  do 
appear,  that  there  is  a  publique  engagement  of  debt,  by  the  town 
of  Manhatoes,  and  a  way  agreed  on  for  the  satisfying  of  that 
engagement,  it  is  agreed,  that  the  same  way  proposed  shall  go 
on,  and  that  the  engagement  shall  be  satisfied.  XVI.  All  in- 
ferior civil  officers  and  magistrates  shall  continue  as  now  they 
are  (if  they  please),  till  the  customary  time  of  new  elections, 
and  then  new  ones  to  be  chosen  by  themselves,  provided  that 
such  new  chosen  magistrates  shall  take  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  His  Majesty  of  England  before  they  enter  upon  their  office, 
XVII.  All  differences  of  contracts  and  bargains  made  before 
this  day,  by  any  in  this  country,  shall  be  determined  according 
to  the  manner  of  the  Dutch.  XVIII.  If  it  do  appeare  that  the 
West  India  Company  of  Amsterdam  do  really  owe  any 
sums  of  money  to  any  persons  here.  it  is  agreed  that 
recognition  and  other  duties  payable  by  ships  going  for  the 
Netherlands,  be  contiued  for  six  months  longer.  XIX.  The 
officers,  military  and  soldiers  shall  march  out  with  their  arms, 
drums  beating,  and  colours  flying,  and  lighted  matches ;  and 
if  any  of  them  will  plant,  they  shall  have  fifty  acres  of  land 
set  out  for  them ;  if  any  of  them  will  serve  as  servants,  they 
shall  contiue  with  all  safety,  and  become  free  denizens  after- 
wards. XX.  If,  at  any  time  hereafter,  the  King  of  Great 
Britain  and  the  States  of  the  Netherland  do  agree  that  this 
place  and  country  be  re-delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  said 


Founding.  65 

1664. 

States,  whensoever  his  Majestic  will  send  his  commands 
to  re-deliver  it,  it  shall  immediately  be  done.  XXI.  That 
the  town  of  Manhattans  shall  choose  deputyes,  and  those 
deputyes  shall  have  free  voyces  in  all  publique  affairs,  as  much 
as  any  other  deputyes.  XXII.  Those  who  have  any  property 
in  any  houses  in  the  fort  of  Aurania,  shall  (if  they  please) 
slight  the  fortifications  there,  and  then  injoy  all  their  houses  as 
all  people  do  where  there  is  no  fort.  XXIII.  If  there  be  any 
soldiers  that  will  go  into  Holland,  and  if  the  company  of  West 
India  in  Amsterdam,  or  any  private  persons  here  will  transport 
them  into  Holland,  then  they  shall  have  a  safe  passport  from 
Colonel  Richard  Nicolls,  deputy  governor  under  his  Royal 
Highness,  and  the  other  commissioners,  to  defend  the  ships 
that  shall  transport  such  soldiers  and  all  the  goods  in  them, 
from  any  surprizal  or  acts  of  hostility,  to  be  done  by  any  of  His 
Majesty's  ships  or  subjects.  That  the  copies  of  the  King's 
grant  to  his  Royal  Highness,  and  the  copy  of  his  Royal  High- 
ness's  commission  to  Colonel  Richard  Nicolls,  testified  by  two 
commissioners  more,  and  Mr.  Winthrop,  to  be  true  copies,  shall 
be  delivered  to  the  Honourable  Mr.  Stuyvesant,  the  present 
Governor,  on  Monday  next,  by  eight  of  the  clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, at  the  Old  Miln,  and  these  articles  consented  to,  and  signed 
by  Colonel  Richard  Nicolls,  deputy-governor  to  his  Royal  High- 
ness, and  that  within  two  hours  after  the  fort  and  town  called 
New  Amsterdam,  upon  the  isle  of  ^Manhatoes,  shall  be  delivered 
into  the  hands  of  the  said  Colonel  Richard  Nicolls,  by  the  ser- 
vice of  such  as  shall  be  by  him  thereunto  deputed,  by  his  hand 
and  seal.  John  De  Decker,       Nich.  Varleth,      Sam.  Mega- 

polensis,  Cornelis  Steenwyck,  Jacques  Cousseau,  Oloffe. 
S.  Van  Kortlandt,  Robert  Carr,  Geo.  Cartwright,  John 
Winthrop,       Sam.  Willys.       lohn  Pinchon.      Thomas  Clarke." 

Sept.  8. 

Colonel  Richard  Nicolls,  commander  of  the  English  fleet  and  repre- 
sentative of  James,  Duke  of  York  and  Albany,  by  grant  of  his 
royal  brother,  King  Charles  II.,  assumes  the  office  of  Governor 
of  the  new  Province  of  New  York,  and  re-christens  the  city  of 
New  Amsterdam  as  New  York  and  Fort  Amsterdam  as  Fort 
James,  the  Dutch  relinquishing  control  of  the  fort  and  public 
offices  to  the  English  this  day,  Sept.  8. 

Johannes  De  Decker  sails  with  all  despatch  from  New  Amsterdam 
for  Fort  Orange,  hoping  to  arouse  the  inhabitants  there  to 
withstand  the  English  should  they  next  insist  on  turning  the 
fort  over  tO  their  control,  Sept.  8. 


66  Founding. 

1664. 

Governor  Nicolls  sends  Col.  George  Cartwright  and  Captains 
Daniel  Broadhead  and  John  IManning,  with  a  portion  of  the 
militia,  bearing  a  letter  to  the  "  magistrates  and  inhabitants  of 
ffort  Aurania  "  (a  Latin  form  of  "orange,"  applied  to  Fort 
Orange  by  the  English),  ordering  a  peaceful  surrender  in  these 
words :  "  These  are  to  will  and  require  you  and  every  of  you 
to  bee  ayding  and  assisting  to  Col.  George  Cartwright  in  the 
prosecution  of  his  Majesty's  interest  against  all  such  of  what 
nation  soever  as  shall  oppose  the  peaceable  surrender  and  quiet 
possession  of  the  ffort  Aurania,  and  to  obey  him  the  said  Col. 
George  Cartwright  according  to  such  instructions  as  I  have 
given  him  in  case  the  Mohawks  or  other  Indyans  shall  attempt 
any  thing  against  the  lives,  goods  or  chattells  of  those  who  are 
now  under  the  protection  and  obedience  of  his  Majesty  of  Great 
Britaine ;  wherefore  you  nor  any  of  you  are  to  fayle  as  you  will 
answer  the  contrary  at  your  utmost  perills.  Given  under  my 
hand  and  scale  att  ffort  James  in  New  Yorke  on  Manhattans 
Island,  this  tenth  day  of  September,  1664.  R.  Nicolls." 

Sept.  10. 

Vice-Director  Johannes  de  la  Montague,  for  the  Dutch  West  India 
Company,  surrenders  Fort  Orange,  the  fort  itself  and  the  settle- 
ment about  it,  to  the  English,  as  represented  by  Col.  George 
Cartwright,  Sept.  24. 

•         •         • 

a  I  b  a  n  ^. 

JEngli0b  IRule 
1664. 


The  English  being  in  absolute  control  of  Fort  Orange,  Beverswyck 
and  Rensselaerswyck,  the  place  is  formally  named  Albany  in 
honor  of  James,  Duke  of  York  and  Albany,  brother  of  Charles 
II.  of  England,  Sept.  24. 

Captain  John  Manning  is  placed  in  charge  of  Fort  Albany  (until 
now  known  as  Fort  Orange)  and  Dirk  van  Schelluyne  made 
clerk  of  the  Albany  court.  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer  takes  the 
oath  of  allegiance  to  King  Charles  II.,  and  is  allowed  to  continue 
the  conduct  of  his  Alanor  the  same  as  before,  provided  that  his 
tenants  also  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  that  within  a  year 
from  October  i8th  he  will  take  out  a  patent  under  the  king, 

Sept.  25. 


DUKE  OF  YORK  AND  ALBANY. 
The  city  was  named  in  honor  of  James,  Duke  of  York  and  Albany,  when 
the  Dutch  surrendered  the  place  to  the  English,  Sept.  24,  1664. 


Founding.  67 

1  664- 1665. 


The  Mohawks  and  Senecas  make  a  treaty  with  Colonel  Cartwright, 
being  given  to  understand  that  they  are  to  enjoy  the  same  bene- 
fits and  rights  as  under  the  Dutch  rule,  October. 

Johannes  de  la  Montague  closes  his  term  (since  Sept.  28,  1656)  as 
vice-director  at  Fort  Orange  for  the  Dutch  West  India  Com- 
pany, October. 


1665. 


Governor  Nicolls  comes  to  Albany,  and  while  here  relieves  Captain 
John  Manning  by  placing  Captain  John  Baker  in  charge  of  Fort 
Albany,  and  he  is  made  the  schout  (sheriff)  of  Albany,    August. 

Captain  John  Baker  instructed,  as  commandant  at  Fort  Albany,  as 
follows :  "  In  matters  capitall  or  treatyes  with  ye  Indians  you 
are  to  sit  in  ye  fort  with  ye  shout  and  commissaryes  as  ye  upper 
court  whereof  you  are  to  bee  president  and  upon  equall  division 
of  voices  to  have  the  castinge  &  decisive  voice.  But  in  ye  ordi- 
nary courts  for  civill  affaires  you  have  nothing  to  doe.  You 
are  to  keepe  a  faire  correspondence  with  ye  commissaryes  and 
towarde  all  ye  inhabitants  &  endeavor  to  live  as  brothers  to- 
gether, avoiding  all  occasion  of  publick  controversy  or  falling 
out.  But  if  you  have  any  greevance  make  it  knowne  calmly 
without  heate  or  passion  to  ye  court.  And  if  they  do  not  give 
redresse  you  are  to  remitt  ye  matter  to  mee  as  it  was  delivered 
to  ye  court.  Lett  not  your  eares  bee  abused  with  private 
storyes  of  ye  Dutch  being  disaffected  to  ye  English,  for 
generally  wee  can  not  expect  they  love  us.  But  when  you  have 
any  sufficient  testimony  against  any  Dutchman  of  words  or 
actions  tending  to  ye  breach  of  peace  or  scandalous  defamcon 
deliver  over  the  testimonyes  to  the  comisaryes  from  whom  I 
expect  justice  shall  bee  done.  You  are  to  cause  the  guard 
house  to  be  repaired,  as  also  other  necessarye  repaires  to  bee 
made,  with  as  little  expence  as  is  possible,  knowing  the  narrow- 
ness of  our  present  condition.  If  it  shall  at  any  time  happen 
that  ye  Indyans  committ  any  violence  at  or  neare  Albany,  you 
are  to  joyne  in  councell  with  ye  comissaryes  what  is  best  to 
bee  done  till  my  further  directions  can  bee  knowne."  September. 

Governor  Nicolls,  at  New  York  city,  licenses  Jan  Jurrianse  Becker 
to  teach  in  the  Dutch  tongue,  and  appoints  John  Shutte  to  be 
the  first  English  school-teacher  at  Albany,  giving  the  following 
license :  "  Whereas  the  teaching  of  the  English  Tongue  is 
necessary  in  this  Government ;  I  have,  therefore,  thought  fitt  to 


68  Founding. 

1665-1666. 


give  License  to  John  Shutte  to  bee  thj  English  Schoohiiaster  at 
Albany :  And  upon  condition  that  the  said  John  Shutte  shall 
not  demand  any  more  wages  from  each  Schollar  than  is  given 
by  the  Dutch  to  their  Dutch  Schoolmasters.  I  have  further 
granted  to  the  said  John  Shutte  that  hee  shall  bee  the  only 
English  Schoolmaster  at  Albany."  Oct.  12. 


1666. 


Daniel  de  Remy  de  Courcelles  leads  300  French  militia  and  200 
Canadians  to  punish  the  Mohawks  along  the  river  of  that  name 
and  teach  them  to  beware  how  they  make  any  further  raids  into 
Canada  ;  but  when  nearing  Schenectady  his  party  is  ambuscaded 
by  the  Alohawks,  whose  scouts  had  given  timely  warning, 

February. 

Albanians,  having  just  begun  to  realize  a  change  of  government  to 
the  British  realm  from  the  Dutch,  are  surprised  to  learn  that  a 
large  body  of  French  soldiers  under  De  Courcelles  is  within 
twenty  miles  of  their  city,  and  wonder  whether  they  are  to  be 
submitted  to  a  rapacious  conflict  for  territory  to  be  added  to 
the  French  possessions,  Feb.  19. 

Three  prominent  citizens  are  delegated  to  go  to  Schenectady  at  once 
and  learn  why  De  Courcelles  had  marched  a  French  force  into  a 
British  dominion,  and  he  explained,  adding  that  he  had  not 
heard  about  the  change  of  government  from  Dutch  to  English. 
He  willingly  agrees  to  return  without  delay  to  Canada,  where- 
upon he  is  aided  with  provisions  and  some  wine,  Feb.  20. 

The  dispute  as  to  whether  Albany  is  in  Rensselaerswyck  or  that  place 
in  Albany,  a  matter  of  precedence  in  settlement  and  land  grants, 
continues,  and  becomes  a  mooted  question  now  that  there  had 
been  a  change  of  government  for  the  village  adjoining  on  the 
south,  Beverswyck  or  Fort  Orange.  Hence,  Jeremias  Van 
Rensselaer  seeks  to  discover  the  views  held  by  Governor  Nic- 
olls,  writing  an  implication  to  the  latter  at  New  York  that  the 
place  Albany  extended  upon  the  Manor  and  that  part  was  there- 
fore under  the  Rensselaerswyck  court,  Oct.  25. 

Governor  Nicolls  tells  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer  that  he  is  in  error 
regarding  the  extent  of  the  court  of  Rensselaerswyck's  juris- 
diction, stating  in  a  letter  to  him  as  follows :  "  By  the  date  of 
yr  letter  from  Renzelaerwicke,  in  Albany,  the  25th,  I  perceive 


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Founding.  69 

1666-1669. 


that  you  conclude  the  Towne  of  Albany  to  be  part  of  Renzelaer- 
wicke.  I  give  you  friendly  advice  not  to  grasp  at  too  much 
authority,  and  you  may  probably  obtaine  the  post  more  to  yr 
profitt.  *  *  *  jf  you  imagine  there  is  pleasure  in  titles  of 
Government  I  wish  that  I  could  serve  your  appetite,  for  I  have 
found  onely  trouble.  You  seem  to  plead  for  a  succession  to  yr 
brother  Baptista  as  of  right  belonging  to  you.  '''''  *  "^^  Sett 
yr  heart  therefore  at  rest  to  be  contented  with  the  profitt  not  the 
.government  of  a  Colony  till  we  heare  from  His  Royall  High- 
ness." November. 


1667. 


The  Staats  residence  erected  at  the  south-east  corner  of  Pearl  and 

Yonkers  (State)  streets. 
Pleasanter  relations  established  throughout  the   Province  of   New 

York  by  the  treaty  of  Breda  made  by  the  English,  July  31. 

Hendrick  A-'an  Rensselaer,  second  son  of  Jeremias,  born  at  Rensse- 

laerswyck  Manor,  Oct.  23. 


1668. 


Sir  Francis  Lovelace  succeeds  Col.  Richard  Nicolls  as  the  Governor 

of  New  York,  Aug.  28. 

Ludovicus  Cobes  made  clerk  of  the  Albany  court,  September. 


1669. 


Rev.  Jacobus  Fabricius  of  Germany  allowed  to  officiate  for  the 
Lutherans  throughout  the  entire  province  by  Governor  Love- 
lace, February. 

Rev.  Fabricius  while  enjoying  his  function  of  Lutheran  pastor  at 
Albany,  apparently  infringes  on  the  rights  of  the  court,  for  after 
he  fined  Helmer  Otten  1,000  Rix  dollars  for  being  married  to 
Adriantze  Arentz  by  a  magistrate,  Governor  Lovelace  heeds  the 
complaint  of  the  magistrate  and  forthwith  suspends  him,   April. 

The  Duke  of  Albany  sends  orders,  having  been  appealed  to,  that  the 
Lutherans  are  to  be  given  freest  sort  of  tolerance  at  Albany,  and 


70  Founding. 

1669-1672. 


Governor  Lovelace  conveys  this  information  in  a  letter  to  the 
magistrates,  as  follows :  "  I  have  lately  received  Letters  from 
ye  Duke  wherein  it  is  particularly  signified  unto  me  that  his 
Royall  Highness  doth  approve  of  ye  Toleration  given  to  ye 
Lutheran  Church  in  these  partes,  I  doe  therefore  Expect  that 
you  live  friendly  &  peaceably  with  those  of  that  profession 
giving  them  no  disturbance  in  ye  Exercis  of  their  Religion  as 
they  shall  receive  noe  Countenance  in,  but  on  ye  'Contrary 
strictly  Answer  any  disturbance  they  shall  presume  to  give  unto 
any  of  you  in  your  divine  Worship."  Oct.  13. 


1670. 


Lieutenant  Salisbury  succeeds  Captain  Baker  in  the  command  of 
the  Fort  Albany  (formerly  Fort  Orange)  garrison,         July  13. 

Gov.  Francis  Lovelace  gives  Robert  Sanders  of  Albany  letters- 
patent  to  land  (site  of  Lansingburg,  N.  Y.)  called  Tascamca- 
tick,  Sept.  I. 


1671. 


Heirs  of  Anneke  Jans  (Bogardus)  under  her  will  made  at  her  home 
(northeast  corner  of  State  and  James  streets),  on  Jan.  29,  1663. 
convey  much  of  the  property  left  by  her,  known  as  the  Duke's 
Farm  (the  site  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York  city)  to  Lieut. - 
Governor  Lovelace,  March  9. 

Rev.  Jacobus  Fabricius,  the  former  Albany  pastor,  preaches  his  fare- 
well sermon  to  the  Lutherans  at  New  York  city,  and  Rev.  Ber- 
nardus  Arensius  is  installed,  Aug.  11. 

Stephanus  van  Cortlandt  and  Gertrude  Schuyler  married  in  the 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,  Oct.  3. 


1672. 


King  Charles  H.  of  England  declares  war  against  the  Dutch,  and 
thus  is  inaugurated  a  new  disturbance  in  government  at  Albany, 

March  17. 

Philip  Pietersen  Schuyler,  commandant  of  militia  of  Albany  and 
Schenectady,  purchases  a  tract  of  land  north  of  the  Rensse- 


STAATS  HOUSE. 

It  was  built  in  1667  at  s.  e.  cor.  State  and  Pearl  sts.  ;  was  removed 
in  1887  to  erect  Albany  County  Bank.  Mayor  John  Schuyler,  Jun., 
lived  in  it  and  his  son,  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  born  here  Nov.  11,  1733. 
So.  Pearl  st.  was  widened  and  half  the  house  cut  away. 


Founding.  71 

1672-1673. 


laerswyck  ^laiior  from  Richard  Van  Rensselaer,  who  came  to 
America  with  his  hrother.  Jan  Baptist  A'an  Rensselaer,  in  165 1, 
on  the  owner's  return  to  Holland,  which  family  estate  is  known 
as  "  The  Flatts."  June  22. 

Rev.  Bernardus  Arensius,  the  Lutheran  minister  at  New  York  city, 
is  given  a  permit  by  Governor  Lovelace  to  spend  the  winter  at 
Albany,  as  he  contemplates  erecting  an  edifice  for  his  religious 
society  at  the  southwest  corner  of  So.  Pearl  and  Howard  streets, 

Oct.  18. 


1673. 


Rev.  Nicholaus  (also  spelled  Nicolaas)  Van  Rensselaer,  the  fourth 
son  of  the  Patroon,  (becoming  later  a  prominent  figure  in  an 
historic  event  at  Albany)  was  educated  in  Holland  as  a  minister 
of  the  Dutch  religion ;  but  making  a  tour  of  England  he  con- 
tinued his  studies  there,  and  instead  of  taking  a  license  from 
the  church  classis  in  Holland  was  ordained  a  deacon,  then  a 
priest,  by  Bishop  Salisbury  of  the  English  Church,  and  offici- 
ates as  chaplain  of  the  Dutch  embassy  at  London. 

New  York  learns  that  a  Dutch  fleet,  located  at  this  time  in  the  West 
Indies,  contemplates  sailing  northward,  undoubtedly  with  the 
intent  of  taking  Fort  James,  New  York  city,  from  the  English 
control.  May. 

Lieutenant  Salisbury,  commandant  of  Fort  Albany,  ordered  to  report 
with  all  speed  for  duty  at  Fort  James,  June. 

Governor  Lovelace,  not  fearing  any  attack  and  believing  reports  to 
be  greatly  exaggerated,  departs  on  a  trip  to  New  Haven,  allow- 
ing most  of  the  Albany  soldiers  to  go  back  up  the  river,  and 
leaves  Captain  Manning  in  charge  of  Fort  James,  July. 

A  fleet  of  23  Dutch  vessels,  carrying  over  1,500  men,  appears  at 
Sandy  Hook,  July  28. 

The  Dutch  fleet  sails  into  New  York  Bay,  July  29. 

'Commodores  Cornelis  Evertsen  and  Jacob  Binckes,  commanders  of 
the  Dutch  fleet,  peremptorily  demand  the  surrender  of  Fort 
James ;  but  Capt.  John  Alanning  cannot  bring  himself  to  reply 
affirmatively.  Thereupon  the  Dutch  land  Capt.  Anthony  Colve 
with  militia,  who  commence  to  storm  Fort  James.  At  sunset 
the  fort  surrenders  to  the  Dutch,  July  29. 

New  York  Province  becomes  once  more  New  Netherland;  New 
York  city  becomes  New  Orange,  and  Fort  James  becomes  Fort 
William  Hendrick,  July  29. 


^2  Founding. 

1673. 

Capt.  Anthony  Colve  is  made  Governor-General  of  New  Netherland 
by  the  Dutch  commodores,  supplanting  the  British  official, 
Governor  Francis  Lovelace,  Aug.  2. 

Lieutenant  Salisbury  surrenders  Fort  Albany  to  the  Dutch,    Aug.  5. 

•         •         • 

TOlllcmstabt. 

2)  u  t  c  b    1R  u  I  e . 
1673. 


Albany  having  been  surrendered  by  the  English  becomes  Willem- 
stadt  under  the  Dutch  rule,  Aug.  5. 

Willemstadt  (Albany)  delegates  arrive  at  New  York,  their  purpose 
being  to  adjust  their  local  government  to  the  new  conditions, 
and  they  attend  a  council  held  by  .Dutch  Commodores  Evertsen 
and  Binckes,  the  main  points  being  that  the  inhabitants  be 
allowed  to  worship  according  to  their  consciences,  and  the  need 
of  a  thousand  florins  to  use  in  pacifying  the  Indians,       Sept.  i. 

The  Dutch  council  at  New  Orange  (New  York  city)  formally  orders 
that  the  village  of  Beverswyck  or  Albany  be  called  Willemstadt, 
and  Fort  Albany  (that  had  been  Fort  Orange)  to  be  known  as 
Fort  Nassau,  September. 

Lieut.  Andries  Draeyer  commissioned  to  have  charge  of  Fort  Nassau 
and  also  be  the  schout  (sheriff)  of  Willemstadt  and  Rensse- 
laerswyck,  by  Governor  Colve,  Sept.  26. 

Governor  Colve  appoints  David  Schuyler,  Gerrit  van  Slechtenhorst, 
Cornelis  van  Dyck  and  Pieter  Bogardus  schepens  (magistrates) 
for  a  term  of  one  year,  Oct.  6. 

Governor  Colve  orders  Martin  Gerritsen^  Pieter  Vounen  and  Hen- 
drick  van  Nes  to  be  schepens  (magistrates)  of  Rensselaerswyck 
"  on  the  selection  of  vSr.  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer,"  who  are  not 
to  permit  any  sect  save  that  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch 
Church  to  hold  gatherings  in  that  place,  October. 

The  Willemstadt  court  holds  its  sessions,  as  ordered  by  Governor 
Colve,  in  the  building  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Court  (Broad- 
way) and  Hudson  (avenue)  streets,  November. 

The  Lutherans  petition  Governor  Colve  that  they  be  allowed  to  wor- 
ship in  Willemstadt,  and  have  their  own  sexton  to  bury  their 
dead,  and  they  are  permitted  to  do  so,  provided  they  do  so 
"  peaceably  and  quietly  without  giving  any  offense  to  the  con- 
gregation of  the  Reformed  Church." 


c 


y     <N 


P  C-. 


Founding.  73 

1674. 

1674. 

Willemstadt  becomes  Albany  once  more  upon  the  signing  of  the 
treaty  of  Westminster,  whereby  the  EngHsh  and  Dutch  cease 
their  conflict  and  stipulate  that  all  the  "  lands,  islands,  cities, 
havens,  castles  and  fortresses  "  that  the  Dutch  had  captured 
from  the  English  should  revert  to  that  nation.  Feb.  19. 

Sir  Edmund  Andros  is  commissioned  at  Windsor,  Eng.,  the 
Governor  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  by  James,  Duke  of 
York  and  Albany,  July  i- 

Rev.  Nicolaas  Van  Rensselaer  returns  to  Albany  with  a  letter  of 
recommendation  from  the  Duke  of  York  to  the  newly  appointed 
Governor,  Edmund  Andros,  to  be  placed  in  charge  of  a  Dutch 
church  at  New^  York  or  Albany,  July. 

James,  Duke  of  York  and  Albany,  refers  a  petition  from  the  heirs 
of  Kiliaen  \'an  Rensselaer  to  Governor  Andros,  in  which  that 
family  requests  him  to  command  the  new  English  Governor  to 
recognize  their  claim, —  that  Albany  was  erected  on  their  land, 
theirs  by  virtue  of  several  deeds  to  them  from  the  Mohawks, 
for  land  along  the  west  bank  of  the  Hudson  River  from  Cohoes, 
to  "  Beeren  Island,"  a  distance  north  and  south  of  24  miles,  and 
extending  east  and  west  also  24  miles,  as  added  to  by  subse- 
quent purchases,  the  locality  of  Albany  being  practically  in  the 
centre  of  the  tract,  July  23. 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer,  son  of  the  first  Patroon  and  who  had 
charge  of  the  Rensselaerswyck  colony  since  1658,  dies,  leaving 
three  sons,  Johannes  (dies  unmarried),  Kiliaen  and  Hendrick, 

Oct.   14. 

Hendrick  \"an  Rensselaer,  the  youngest  of  the  three  children  (all 
sons)  of  Jeremiah,  second  Patroon  (being  married  to  the  grand- 
daughter of  Anneke  Janse  and  the  father  of  four  sons  and  five 
daughters)  inherits  the  Claverack  patent,  containing  about 
62,000  acres,  also  1,500  acres  out  of  the  Manor  proper,  lying 
opposite  Albany  and  he  erects  there  on  the  Greenbush  river 
bank  a  residence  of  brick,  two  stories  and  an  attic,  with  a  num- 
ber of  stone  loop-holes,  to  serve  as  a  fortified  house  against  the 
Indians,  calling  the  same  The  Crailo. 

Governor  Andros  gives  a  signed  document  to  Rev.  Bernardus  Aren- 
sius  of  the  Lutheran  Church  that  allows  him  to  remove  his 
household  to  Albany  and  cfMuluct  services  without  any  annoy- 
ance, Nov.  6. 
•         •         • 


74  Founding. 

1674-1675. 

Bnglisb   IRule. 
1674. 


Governor  Colve,  who  had  administered  for  the  Dutch,  turns  over 
the  province  to  his  Enghsh  successor,  Major  Edmund  Andros, 
who  had  been  commissioned  Governor  by  James,  Duke  of  York 
and  Albany,  on  July  ist,  under  the  treaty  agreement  of  February 
19th,  to  have  the  captured  lands  revert  to  the  English,    Nov.  10. 

Governor  Andros  re-appoints  the  Willemstadt  officers,  magistrates, 
clerk,  etc.,  making  hardly  any  change  from  the  Dutch  govern- 
ment, Nov.   II. 

Robert  Livingston  (born  on  Dec.  13,  1654)  comes  in  the  fall  of 
the  year  to  America  from  Holland,  whither  his  family  had  re- 
moved for  political  reasons. 

Ensign  Caesar  Knapton  is  ordered  to  take  Sergeant  Thomas  Sharpe 
and  eighteen  men  with  him  to  Fort  Nassau  (formerly  Fort 
Orange  and  tlien  Fort  Albany)  and  formally  receive  its  sur- 
render. November. 


1675. 


Governor  Andros  forms  a  Board  of  Indian  Commissioners  at  Albany. 

Robert  Livingston,  of  Scotch  parentage,  and  who  arrived  from  Hol- 
land in  the  fall  of  1674,  buys  a  lot  at  the  northwest  corner  of 
Pearl  and  Yonkers  (State)  streets  (where  he  resides  until  mov- 
ing to  his  manor  some  forty  miles  down  the  river  and  on  the 
east  side)  and  is  commissioned  clerk  of  the  Albany  court, 

March. 

Following  the  death  of  Jeremiah  \'an  Rensselaer  (Oct.  14,  1674, 
N.  S.),  his  brother.  Nicolaas,  arrived  and  petitioned  the 
Governor  and  Council  to  be  appointed  Director  of  the  colony 
in  his  brother's  place;  but  Jeremiah's  widow  (daughter  of  Olof 
Stevense  Van  Cortlandt)  objected.  However,  it  was  agreed 
that  he  might  be  Director,  but  she  act  as  treasurer,  while  her 
brother  act  as  book-keeper,  setting  aside  300  bushels  of  wheat, 
one-half  to  the  Director,  one-fourth  to  the  widow,  one-fourth 
to  her  brother. 


Founding.  75 

167  5. 

Governor  Anclros  comes  to  Albany  and  a  new  treaty  is  made  with 
the  Mohawks,  who  swear  fealty  to  the  Duke  of  York  and 
Albany,  August. 

Robert  Livingston  assumes  the  duties  of  secretary  of  Albany,  or 
keeper  of  records  for  the  commandant  of  the  fort,  who  governs 
the  village  (that  later  becomes  Albany  the  city),  Sept.  8. 

Albanians  alarmed  at  the  news  that  the  New  England  Indian  tribes 
under  their  celebrated  chief,  King  Philip,  had  burned  Spring- 
field, Deerfield,  Hadley  and  Northfield,  September. 

Rev.  Nicolaas  \'an  Rensselaer  discovers  that  the  orthodox  Dutch 
dominies  do  not  recognize  his  ordination  that  took  place  in 
England,  for  while  in  New  York  and  invited  to  preach  in 
Dominie  Nieuwenhuysen's  (Newenhuysen)  church,  that  person 
absents  himself  from  the  service  and  Rev.  Van  Rensselaer  is 
forbidden  by  him  to  baptize,  the  next  day  calling  on  him  to 
explain,  "  I  do  not  consider  you  to  be  a  lawful  minister." 

September. 

Governor  Andros  and  Council  hear  the  case  of  Dominie  Van  Rens- 
selaer and  Dominie  Nieuwenhuysen,  and  the  latter  afraid  to  say 
to  the  English  Governor  that  ordination  by  the  English  form 
was  not  lawful,  first  answers  evasively  by  explaining  his  posi- 
tion by  saying  that  although  his  opponent  might  have  been  or- 
dained by  Rt.  Rev.  Earle,  Bishop  of  Sarum,  and  have  preached 
to  a  Dutch  congregation  in  England,  he  had  no  certificate  from 
a  Reformed  Church  classis ;  but  is  graciously  and  most  perti- 
nently given  three  days  in  which  to  bring  in  an  "  amended 
answer,"  and  does  so,  reasoning  that  any  other  course  might 
cause  the  revocation  of  his  license  to  preach,  September. 

Because  of  the  terror  created  at  Albany  by  King  Philip's  Indian 
raids.  Governor  Andros  sends  Capt.  Anthony  Brockholls  and 
some  recruits  to  strengthen  the  garrison  of  Fort  Albany 
(formerly  Fort  Orange),  October. 

The  Council  orders  that  no  lead  or  powder  is  to  be  sold  to  any 
Indians  except  to  the  friendly  Mohawks  and  Senecas,    October. 

Massachusetts  Bay  inhabitants  hear  a  malicious  rumor  and  accuse 
Albanians  of  selling  powder  to  King  Philip's  Indians,  and  ar- 
rests are  made  of  suspects  for  spreading  such  report,  November. 

King  Philip,  commanding  one  thousand  Indians,  reported  to  be  about 
forty  miles  east  of  Albany,  and  the  inhabitants  greatly  alarmed 
because  the  river  being  frozen  the  savages  might  readily  cross 
and  attack,  December. 

Messengers  sent  afoot  to  Governor  x\ndros  at  New  York  for  troops, 

December. 


76  Founding. 

1676. 

1676. 

The  river  being  frozen  and  impossible  for  Governor  Andros  to  send 
soldiers  to  Albany,  Captain  Brockholls  employs  Mohawk 
Indians,  sending  them  eastward  into  Massachusetts  to  attack 
King  Philip  with  his  thousand  savages  as  he  proceeds  towards 
Albany,  January. 

Three  hundred  Mohawks  arrive  back  at  Albany,  having  attacked 
King  Philip's  band,  numbering  over  five  hundred  of  the 
bloodiest  savages,  who  had  pillaged  and  burned  western  Massa- 
chusetts settlements,  killing  many  of  his  band  and  bringing  a 
number  of  prisoners  to  Albany,  February. 

Upon  the  river  ice  passing  out.  Governor  Andros  goes  to  Albany 
from  New  York,  with  soldiers  aboard  six  sloops,         February. 

Governor  Andros  returns  to  New  York,  leaving  Sergeant  Sharpe  in 
"command  at  Fort  Albany  (formerly  Fort  Orange,  on  the  river 
shore),  and  the  Governor  orders  a  new  fort,  to  be  constructed 
at  the  head  of  Yonkers  (State)  street,  overlooking  the  village 
of  Albany  and  serving  to  protect  it  from  roving  tribes  coming 
from  the  westward,  each  of  the  four  bastions  to  hold  six  guns 
(defining  the  position  of  it  so  that  standing  in  the  center  of 
State  street,  the  northeast  bastion  was  placed  on  the  site  of  the 
tower  of  the  future  St.  Peter's  Church,  at  northwest  corner  of 
State  and  Lodge  streets),  the  laborers  commencing  work  upon 
the  fort  at  once,  March. 

The  newly  constructed  fortification  at  the  head  of  Yonkers  (State) 
street  is  named  Fort  Frederick,  and  Ensign  Silvester  Salisbury 
placed  in  command,  June. 

Rev.  Nicolaas  Van  Rensselaer  preaches  in  the  Dutch  Reformed 
Church,  and  the  regular  pastor.  Dominie  Schaets,  declares  that 
he  preached  an  heretical  doctrine,  the  declarations  being  of  an 
ambiguous  nature,  Aug.  13. 

Dominie  Schaets  writes  to  the  above  effect  to  the  consistory  at  New 
York,  August. 

Jacob  Leisler  and  Jacob  Alilburne  come  to  Albany  from  New  York, 
and  listen  to  Rev.  Nicolaas  Van  Rensselaer's  preaching  at  the 
Dutch  Church.  They  interpret  his  words  as  of  "  dubious  or 
doubtful  doctrine,"  and  on  their  behest  he  is  ordered  to  prison, 

September. 

Rev.  N.  Van  Rensselaer  is  tried  at  the  Albany  court  before  Captain 
Salisbury  for  heresy,  Sept.  28. 


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Founding.  "jy 

1676-1678. 


Rev.  Nicolaas  Van  Rensselaer  appeals  to  the  Governor  and  gives 
bond  of  1,500  guilders  to  prosecute  appeal.  A  bond  of  5,000 
English  pounds  is  required  of  Leisler  and  1,000  pounds  of  Mil- 
burne ;  the  former  on  failing  to  furnish  bond  is  ordered  under 
arrest,  September. 

The  Governor  takes  the  court's  papers  for  reconsideration  and  the 

court  having  agreed  that  the  two  dominies  be  reconciled  and 

forgive  one  another,  the  Governor  orders  a  reconciliation  be- 

'    tween  the  parties  in  dispute,  Jacob  Leisler  and  Jacob  Milburne 

to  pay  all  costs  of  trial  as  they  had  given  rise  to  the  matter, 

October. 


1677. 


The  hostile  Indians  of  New  York  had  terrorized  the  country  even 
so  far  to  the  south  as  Chesapeake  Bay  and  throughout  Mary- 
land, finding  it  quite  easy  to  go  by  canoes  from  Oneida  to  a 
creek  emptying  into  the  Susquehanna  River,  and  being  expert 
rifle  shots  their  forage  was  dreaded  by  the  white  people.  For 
this  reason  New  York  undertakes  to  put  a  stop  to  the  excur- 
sions, and  welcomes  Col.  Henry  Coursey  and  Philemon  Lloyd, 
delegates  sent  by  Lieut. -Gov.  Notley  of  Maryland,  to  make  an 
Indian  treaty  at  Albany.  The  commission,  aided  by  inter- 
preters, meets  with  the  Indian  chiefs  in  the  Court-House, 

Aug.  3. 

The  Indians  make  a  compact  with  the  Maryland  and  Virginia  dele- 
gates that  the  Mohawks,  Onondagas,  Oneidas,  Cayugas  and 
Senecas  will  commit  no  more  depredations  in  those  provinces, 

Aug.  5. 

Governor  Andros  deposes  Rev.  Nicolaas  Van  Rensselaer  as  a  minis- 
ter of  the  Dutch  Reformed  faith. 


1678. 


A  whipping-post,  pillory  and  stocks  erected  in  the  New  England 
fashion ;  the  law  of  this  time  commands  that  burglars  be 
branded  on  the  head  for  the  first  offence,  but  put  to  death  for 
a  crime  committed  a  third  time. 


78  Founding. 

1678  =  1680. 


Male  inhabitants,  between  i6  and  60  years,  except  physicians,  minis- 
ters, justices,  school-masters  and  the  like,  required  to  enroll  in 
the  provincial  militia. 

The  day  set  apart  for  celebration  of  the  birthday  of  King  Charles  II. 

May  29. 

Governor  Andros  ordered  to  issue  a  patent  to  Kiliaen  Van  Rensse- 
laer's heirs,  granting  possession  of  Rensselaerswyck  but  not  of 
Fort  Orange  (now  Fort  Albany)  or  land  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  that  fort,  and  directing  tenants  of  houses  to  pay  the 
Manor  yearly  two  beaverskins  for  a  large  house,  one  skin  for  a 
house  of  medium  size  and  half  a  skin  for  a  small  residence,  this 
agreement  to  endure  thirty-one  years,  after  which  the  tenants 
may  agree  upon  terms  of  rental,  June  7. 

Rev.  Nicolaas  Van  Rensselaer,  Director  of  the  colony  and  brother 
of  Jeremiah  \^an  Rensselaer  (who  died  Oct.  14,  1674),  dies, 
leaving  Alida  Schuyler  his  widow,  but  no  children,  and  the 
widow  of  his  brother,  on  crutches,  too  infirm  to  conduct  affairs 
of  Rensselaerswyck,  November. 

Jeremiah  \a.n  Rensselaer's  widow  notifies  her  brother,  Stephanus 
Van  Cortlandt,  at  New  York,  of  the  death  of  Dominie  Nicolaas 
\*an  Rensselaer,  her  brother-in-law.  who  had  directed  the  aflfairs 
of  the  colony  for  her,  and  urges  him  to  come  to  Rensselaers- 
wyck to  manage  the  colony ;  but  he  does  not  accept  her  offer, 

December. 


1679. 


Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer's  aged  widow,  urges  his  younger  brother, 
Richard,  to  come  from  Holland  and  assist  her  in  the  manage- 
ment of  Rensselaerswyck,  January. 


1680. 


The  Lutheran  society  purchases  a  lot  on  the  west  side  of  South 
Pearl  street,  between  Fludson  and  Beaver  streets  (site  of  the 
City  Building)  from  Capt.  Abrani  Staats,  March  28. 

Jasper  Dankers  and  Pieter  Sluyter,  two  Labadist  missionaries  from 
Friesland,  Holland,  visit  Albany  on  their  travels  in  America, 
and  make  notes  of  what  they  behold,  arriving  here  by  boat  this 
day  and  spending  about  a  fortnight  as  the  guests  of  various 
citizens,  principally  of  Robert  Sanders,  April  21. 


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1680. 

The  missionaries  visit  Cohoes  Falls  on  horseback,  and  arc  objects  of 
curiosity,  April  23. 

The  Labadist  missionaries  call  at  the  Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House,  - 
describing-  their  visit  in  their  diary  as  follows :  "  We  went  to 
call  upon  a  certain  Madam  Rentselaer,  widow  of  Heer  Rentse- 
laer,  son  of  the  founder  of  the  colony  of  Rentselaerswyck,  com- 
prising twelve  miles  square  from  Fort  Orange,  that  is,  twenty- 
four  miles  square  in  all.  She  is  in  possession  of  the  place,  and 
■  administers  it  as  Patronesse,  until  one  Richard  van  Rentselaer, 
residing  at  Amsterdam,  shall  arrive  in  this  country,  whom  she 
expected  in  the  summer,  when  he  would  assume  the  manage- 
ment of  it  himself.  This  lady  was  polite,  quite  well-informed, 
and  of  good  life  and  disposition.  *  *  *  The  breaking  up 
of  the  ice  had  once  carried  away  her  mansion,  and  everything 
connected  with  it.  *  *  '^  She  treated  us  kindly.  *  *  * 
We  went  to  look  at  several  of  her  mills  at  work,  which  she 
had  there  on  an  ever-running  stream,  grist-mills,  saw-mills,  and 
others.  One  of  the  grist-mills  can  grind  120  schepels  of  meal  in 
twenty-four  hours,  that  is  five  an  hour.  Returning  to  the  house, 
we  politely  took  our  leave.  Her  residence  is  about  a  quarter  of 
an  hour  from  Albany  up  the   river."  April  27. 

The  missionaries,  having  listened  to  the  preaching  of  Dominic 
Schaets  in  the  morning,  enjoy  a  walk  to  the  island  south  of  the 
city,  where  they  view,  still  in  existence  at  this  time,  the  old 
"  Castle  "  or  stone  fort  built  by  the  French  fur-traders  in  1540, 
some  70  years  ere  Henry  Hudson  sailed  up  the  river  of  his 
name,  making  the  following  record :  "  In  the  afternoon,  we 
took  a  walk  to  an  island  upon  the  end  of  which  there  is  a  fort 
built,  they  say,  by  the  Spaniards.  That  a  fort  has  been  there 
is  evident  enough  from  the  earth  thrown  up,  but  it  is  not  to  be 
supposed  that  the  Spaniards  came  so  far  inland  to  build  forts, 
when  there  are  no  monuments  of  them  to  be  seen  down  on  the 
seacoasts,  where,  however,  they  have  been,  according  to  the 
tradition  of  the  Indians.  This  spot  is  but  a  short  hour's  dis- 
tance below  Albany,  on  the  west  side  of  the  river."     April  28. 

The  Labadist  missionaries  explain  the  name  "  Fuyck,"  as  applied 
to  Fort  Orange,  as  follows :  "  Before  we  quit  Albany,  we  must 
say  a  word  about  the  place.  It  was  formerly  named  the  Fuyck 
by  the  Hollanders,  who  first  settled  there  on  account  of  two 
rows  of  houses  standing  there,  opposite  to  each  other,  which 
being  wide  enough  apart  in  the  beginning,  finally  ran  quite 
together  like  a  fuyck  (an  expanding  net,  narrowing  at  one 
end)    and  therefore,  they  gave  it  this  name,  which,  although 


8o  Founding. 

1680-1681. 


the  place  is  built  up,  it  still  bears  with  many,  especially  the 
Dutch  and  Indians  living  about  there.  It  is  nearly  square, 
anJ  lies  against  a  hill,  with  several  good  streets,  on  which 
there  may  be  about  eighty  or  ninety  houses.  Fort  Orange, 
constructed  by  the  Dutch,  lies  below  on  the  bank  of  the  river, 
and  is  set  off  with  palisades,  filled  in  with  earth  on  the  inside. 
It  is  now  abandoned  by  the  English,  who  have  built  a  similar 
one  back  of  the  town,  high  up  on  the  declivity  of  the  hill,  from 
which  it  commands  the  place.  From  the  other  side  of  this 
fort,  the  inhabitants  have  brought  a  spring  of  water,  under 
the  fort  and  under  the  ground  into  the  town,  where  they  have 
in  several  places  fountains  always  of  clear,  fresh,  cool  water. 
The  town  is  surrounded  by  palisades,  and  has  several  gates 
corresponding  to  the  streets.  It  has  a  Dutch  Reformed,  and 
a  Lutheran  church."  May. 

Robert  Livingston  granted  permission  by  Governor  Andros  to  pur- 
chase of  the  Mohegan  Indians  a  tract  on  Roelof  Jansen's  kill, 
emptying  into  the  river  south  of  the  site  of  Hudson,  N.  Y., 
(although  he  does  not  complete  the  purchase  for  three  years) 
contemplating  the  erection  of  his  own  manorial  estate,  Nov.  12. 

Newton's  comet  appears  as  an  apparition  to  superstitious  Albanians 
in  the  southwestern  sky,  Dec.  9. 

The  comet  makes  its  nearest  approach  to  the  sun,  and  many  becom.e 
greatly  alarmed  at  the  sight,  Dec.  18. 


1681. 


Albanians  so  horrified  by  Newton's  comet  that  the  magistrates  write 
to  Capt.  Anthony  Brockholls,  New  York,  who  was  acting  as 
deputy  for  Governor  Andros  while  that  official  is  on  a  trip 
to  England,  as  follows :  "  Wee  doubt  not  but  yow  have  seen 
ye  Dreadfull  Comett  wh  appeared  in  ye  southwest,  on  ye  9th 
of  Decembr  Last,  about  2  a  clock  in  ye  afternoon,  fair  sunn- 
shyne  wether,  a  little  above  ye  Sonn,  wch  takes  its  course  more 
Northerly,  and  was  seen  the  Sunday  night  after,  about  Twy- 
Light  with  a  very  fyery  Tail  or  Streemer  in  ye  West  To  ye 
great  astoneshment  of  all  Spectators,  &  is  now  seen  every  Night 
wt  Clear  wether.  Undoubtedly  God  Threatens  us  wh  Dread- 
full  Punishments  if  wee  doe  not  Repent.  Wee  would  have 
Caused  ye  Dominie  Proclaim  a  Day  of  fasting  and  humiliation 
to-morrow  to  be  kept  on  Weddensday  ye  12  Jany  in  ye  Town 


Founding.  8i 

1681-1683. 


of  Albany  &  Dependencies — if  we  thoiig-ht  our  Power  &  author- 
ity did  extend  so  farr,  and  would  have  been  well  Resented  by 
Yourself,  for  all  Persons  ought  to  humble  Themselves  in  such 
a  Time,  and  Pray  to  God  to  Withdraw  his  Righteous  Juge- 
ments  from  us,  as  he  did  to  Nineve.  Therefore  if  you  would 
be  pleased  to  grant  your  approbation  wee  would  willingly  cause 
a  day  of  fasting  &  humiliation  to  be  kept,  if  it  were  monthly." 

Jan.  I. 

Governor  Andros,  having  left  Manhattan  for  Sandy  Point  (Hook) 
on  the  7th,  he  sails  for  a  visit  to  England,  Jan.  11. 

Captain  Brockholls  replies,  to  the  magistrates  at  Albany,  stating  his 
suspicions  and  superstitions :  "  Wee  haue  seen  the  Comett  not 
att  the  time  you  mention  only  in  the  Evening  The  Streame 
being  very  large  but  know  not  its  predicts  or  Events,  and  as 
they  Certainly  threaten  God's  Vengence  and  Judgments  and 
are  prmonitors  to  us  Soe  I  Doubt  not  of  yor  and  each  of  yor 
performance  of  yr  Duty  by  prayer  &c.  as  becomes  good  Chris- 
tians Especially  at  this  time."  January. 


1682. 


At  this  time  a  beaver-skin  bears  the  value  of  two  pieces  of  eight,  of 
40  stivers  each,  a  "  piece  of  eight "  being  a  Spanish  dollar  or  8 
reals ;  thus,  a  man  might  make  payment  in  a  beaver-skin  or 
$1.60  in  coin  or  wampum.  According  to  this,  when  the  in- 
habitants entered  their  names  on  the  subscription  book  for  the 
annual  support  of  a  new  pastor  of  the  Dutch  Church,  Dominie 
Dellius,  the  richest,  headed  by  Pieter  Schuyler,  signing  for  6 
"  pieces  of  eight,"  and  the  poorer  for  3,  they  promise  about  $10 
and  $5  respectively. 

Col.  Thomas  Dongan  (born  at  Castletown,  County  Kildare,  Ireland, 
in  1634)  is  commissioned  by  James,  Duke  of  York  and  Albany, 
to  be  Governor  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  September. 


1683. 


Robert  Livingston  marries  Alida  Schuyler,  who  in  November,  1678, 
was  left  a  widow  by  the  death  of  Rev.  Nicolaas  Van  Rensselaer. 

Robert  Livingston  secures  deed  from  the  Mohegan  Indians  to  his 
tract  of  about  2,000  acres  of  flats  and  1,800  acres  of  woodland 
about  Roelof  Jansen's  kill  (site  of  the  city  of  Hudson  and 
Claverack,  N.  Y.),  July  12. 


82  Founding. 

1683. 

Dominie  Gideon  Schaets  having  become  aged  and  unable  properly 
to  fulfill  the  duties  of  his  office,  the  magistrates  had  requested 
the  classis  of  Amsterdam  to  send  an  assistant,  and  the  Rev. 
Godfriedus  Dellius  arrives  to  fill  the  post,  promised  a  salary  of 
900  guilders,  and  expected  to  "  edify  "  the  people  of  Schenec- 
tady once  in  six  weeks,  Aug.  2. 

Col.  Thomas  Dongan  arrives  at  New  York  to  be  Governor  of  the 
Province   of   New   York,  Aug.   25. 

Following  out  the  order  of  Governor  Dongan,  Albany  and  Rensse- 
laerswyck  elect  two  delegates  of  the  eighteen  representatives 
to  attend  the  first  General  Assembly  of  the  province  the  follow- 
ing month  at  Fort  James,  Sept.   13. 

William  Penn's  agents  make  ofifers  to  the  Indians  for  lands  in  New 
York  bordering  the  headwaters  of  the  Susquehanna  River, 
which  Governor  Dongan  learns  about  while  at  Albany  and  does 
not  favor^  September. 

The  Albany  magistrates  write  to  Governor  Dongan  that  an  in- 
terpreter named  Arnout  Cornelissen  Viele  arrived  from  the 
Indians  of  the  central  part  of  the  province,  called  the  Western 
Indians,  the  night  before,  bearing  the  information  which  is 
narrated  in  the  letter,  as  follows :  "  Ye  four  nations  vizt 
Cajouges,  Onondages,  Oneydes  &  Maquase  are  upon  there  way 
hither  and  may  be  expected  here  to-morrow.  Wee  are  credibly 
Inform'd  of  there  willingness  to  dispose  of  ye  Susquehanna 
River,  being  verry  glad  to  hear  off  Christians  intending  to  come 
and  live  there,  it  being  much  nearer  them  then  this  place  and 
much  easier  to  get  thither  with  there  bever.  The  River  being 
navigable  wt  Canoes  till  hard  by  there  Castles,  soe  yt  if  Wm 
Penn  buys  said  River,  it  will  tend  to  ye  utter  Ruine  off  ye  Bevr 
trade,  as  ye  Indians  themselfs  doe  acknowledge  and  Conse- 
quently to  ye  great  Prejudice  off  his  Royall  highnesse  Revenues 
and  his  whole  Territoryes  in  general,  all  which  we  doe  humbly 
offer  to  your  hours  serious  Considracon.  Wee  presume  that 
there  hath  not  any  thing  Ever  been  mooved  or  agitated  from 
ye  first  settleing  of  these  Parts,  more  Prejudiciall  to  his  Royal 
highnesse  Interest,  and  ye  Inhabitants  of  this  his  governt  then 
this  businesse  of  ye  Susquehanna  River.  The  french  its  true 
have  endevoured  to  take  away  our  trade  by  Peace  mealls  but 
this  will  cutt  it  all  off  at  once.  The  day  after  your  hour  de- 
parted, wee  sent  a  draught  of  ye  River  and  how  near  there 
Castles  lie  to  it,  drawne  by  our  Scert  [Robert  Livingston]  as 
near  as  ye  Indians  could  deskribe."  Sept.  24. 


Founding. 
1683-1684. 


A  conference  is  held  in  the  Court-House  between  the  magistrates 
and  Onondaga  and  Cayuga  sachems,  one  of  the  chiefs  saying: 
"  I  have  slept  but  little  through  the  night  though  I  constantly 
tried,  and  think  that  the  land  cannot  be  sold  without  Corlaer's 
order  [referring  to  the  Governor]  for  we  transferred  it  to  this 
government  four  years  ago.  Therefore  we  shall  do  nothing  in 
the  sale  without  Corlaer  or  his  order  or  those  who  represent 
him.  That  land  belongs  to  us  Cayugas  and  Onondagas  alone ; 
the  other  three  nations  namely,  the  Sinnekes,  Oneydes,  and 
Maquaas  have  nothing  to  do  with  it.  *  *  *  We  now  convey 
and  transport  it  again  and  give  it  to  the  governor-general  or 
those  who  now  represent  him,"  Sept.  26. 

The  Albany  magistrates  are  delighted  with  the  successful  issue  of 
the  conference,  finding  it  impossible  to  secure  the  ratification 
of  the  agreement  whereby  New  York  Province  secures  hun- 
dreds of  square  miles  of  territory  in  the  central  and  southern 
part  of  the  Province  by  giving  the  Indians  two  blankets,  four 
coats,  two  guns,  three  kettles,  50  pounds  of  lead,  25  pounds  of 
powder  and  some  duffel-cloth,  Sept.  26. 

First  General  Assembly  of  New  York,  allowing  the  freeholders  of 
the  Province  a  voice  in  the  conduct  of  affairs,  composed  of  18 
delegates,  convenes  in  Fort  James  at  New  York  city,     Oct.  17. 

The  General  Assembly  passes  the  "  Charter  of  Libertys  and  Privi- 
leges," and  decides  to  hold  sessions  at  least  once  in  three 
years,  the  delegates  to  be  elected  by  freemen  and  the  majority 
to  be  decisive,  Oct.   30. 

The  General  Assembly  passes  a  law  to  divide  the  Province  into  the 
regular  English  shires  or  counties,  and  twelve  are  formed, 
viz. :  Albany,  Cornwall,  Duchess's,  Duke's,  King's,  New  York, 
Orange,  Queen's,  Richmond,  Suffolk,  Westchester,  Ulster, 

Nov.  I. 


1684. 


King  Charles  II.  of  England  dies,  and  by  James,  Duke  of  York 
and  Albany,  succeeding  to  the  English  throne  as  King  James 
II.,  the  Province  of  New  York  becomes  property  of  the  English 
realm,  Feb.  6. 

Death  of  Philip  Pietersen  Schuyler,  who  came  to  this  country  in 
1650  and  married  that  year  Margritta  Van  Slechtenhorst,  buy- 
ing the  Flatts  at  Watervliet  for  his  own  family  estate, 

March  9. 


84  Founding. 

1684-1686. 


Burial  of  Ph.  P.  Schuyler  in  a  vault  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church 
at  the   foot  of  Yonkers    (State)    street,  March   ii. 

Governor  Dongan  grants  a  patent  for  the  2,000  acres  of  land  beside 
Roelof  Jansen's  kill  that  had  been  secured  to  Robert  Livingston 
by  deed  of  July  12,  1683,  from  the  Mohegan  Indians,  Nov.  4. 

Pieter  Schuyler  appointed  lieutenant  of  a  troop  of  horse,  and  Jan 
Jansen  Bleecker  and  Johannes  Wendell  commissioned  infantry 
captains,  Dec.  15. 


1685. 


Robert  Livingston  petitions  Governor  Dongan  for  license  to  buy 
from  the  Mohegan  Indians  an  additional  tract  of  300  acres 
along  Roelof  Jansen's  kill,  claiming  the  first  tract  was  not 
satisfactory,  this  tract,  called  Tackhanick,  behind  Potthook 
(Claveraick),  June  3. 

Mohegan  Indians  deed  300  acres  at  Tackhanick  (Claverack)  to 
Robert  Livingston,  Aug.   10. 

Albany  called  the  House  of  Peace  by  a  Mohawk  chief  addressing 
commissioners  from  Virginia  and  sachems  of  the  Powhatan, 
Pamunkey,  ]\Iatapony  and  Chickahominy  tribes  assembled  here 
to  renew  an  important  treaty  with  the  Mohawks,  Senecas, 
Cayugas,  Onondagas  and  Oneidas,  August. 


1686. 


Governor  Dongan  grants  a  charter  to  New  York,  making  it  a 
city,   (which,  however,  remains  in  force  only  until   1730), 

April  2^. 

Governor  Dongan  comes  to  Albany  and  is  requested  by  the  most 
prominent  men  to  issue  a  Charter  by  which  the  village  may 
have  larger  boundaries  and  change  from  a  village  to  a  city, 
which  form  of  government  would  allow  a  higher  guarantee 
of  property  titles  than  that  of  magistrates.  May. 

Governor  Dongan  considers  issuance  of  a  Charter  to  Albany  and 
what  its  provisions  shall  be,  especially  as  to  the  boundaries.  He 
is  also  obliged  to  obtain  relinquishment  of  the  Van  Rensselaer 
claims  to  that  land  that  the  people  would  include  within  the 
bounds,  and  his  decision    (as  reported   Feb.   22,    1687,  to  the 


Founding.  85 

1686. 

privy  coucil  of  King  James)  is  as  follows:  "The  Town  of 
Albany  lyes  within  the  Ranslaers  Colony.  And  to  say  the 
truth  the  Ranslaers  had  the  right  to  it,  for  it  was  they  settled 
the  place,  and  upon  a  petition  of  one  of  them  to  our  present 
King  (James  II.)  about  Albany  the  Petitioner  was  referred  to 
his  Matys  Council  at  Law,  who  upon  perusal  of  the  Ranslaers 
Papers,  made  their  return  that  it  was  their  opinion  that  it  did 
belong  to  them.  Upon  which  there  was  an  order  sent  over  to 
Sir  Edmund  Andros  that  the  Ranslaers  should  be  put  in  pos- 
session of  Albany,  &  that  every  house  should  pay  some  two 
Beavers,  some  more,  some  less,  according  to  their  dimensions, 
Pr  annum,  for  thirty  years  &  afterwards  the  Ranslaers  to  put 
what  rent  upon  them  they  could  agree  for.  What  reason  Sir 
Edmund  Andros  has  given  for  not  putting  these  orders  into 
execution  I  know  not.  The  Ranslaers  came  &  brought  mee 
the  same  orders  which  I  thought  not  convenient  to  execute, 
judgeing  it  not  for  his  Matys  Interest  that  the  second  Town  of 
the  Government  &  which  brings  his  Maty  soe  great  a  Revenue, 
should  bee  in  the  hands  of  any  particular  men.  The  town  of 
itself  is  upon  a  barren  sandy  spot  of  Land,  &  the  Inhabitants 
live  wholly  upon  Trade  with  the  Indians.  By  the  means  of  Mr. 
James  Graham,  Judge  [John]  Palmer  &  Mr  [Stephanus  van| 
Cortlandt  that  have  great  influence  on  that  people,  I  got  the 
Ranslaers  to  release  their  pretence  to  the  Town  and  sixteen 
miles  into  the  Country  for  Commons  to  the  King,  with  liberty 
to  cut  firewood  within  the  Colony  for  one  &  twenty  years. 
After  I  had  obtained  this  release  of  the  Ranslaers  I  passed 
the  Patent  for  Albany,  wherein  was  included  the  aforemen- 
tioned Pasture,  to  which  the  People  apprehended  they  had  so 
good  a  right  that  they  expressed  themselves  discontented  at 
my  reserving  a  small  spot  of  it  for  a  garden  for  the  use  of 
the  Garrison.  That  the  people  of  Albany  has  given  mee  seven 
hundred  pounds  is  untrue.  I  am  but  promised  three  hundred 
pounds  which  is  not  near  my  Prquisits,  viz.  ten  shillings  for 
every  house  &  the  like  for  every  hundred  acres  patented  by 
mee."  June. 

Col.  Pieter  Schuyler  and  Robert  Livingston,  being  apprised  of  the 
Charter  being  in  readiness,  repair  to  New  York  to  procure  it. 

July. 

Albany  made  a  city.  Governor  Thomas  Dongan  issuing  a  Charter 

in  the  name  of  King  James  II.  of  England,  signed  by  Dongan 

on  lulv  22,   1686. 

•         •         • 


Cbactec. 


The  citizens  of  Albany  commissioned  Pieter  Schuyler  and 
Robert  Livingston  to  go  to  New  York  city  and  receive  the  Charter, 
from  the  hands  of  Gov.  Thomas  Dongan  of  the  Province  of  New 
York.  He  signed  this  important  document  on  July  22,  1686,  and 
thereupon  delivered  it  unto  them.  The  original  is  on  file  in  the 
City  Hall,  in, the  custody  of  the  City  Clerk. 


Sougan  Olliart^r. 


A^.«-j£-.\-.5<<.«C/  2w»«,w  »»;>-«  £j^^  *a(%MV.  «j  iv»y--«  ■^■3't-*** 'S''*'*'f-y.  **^p^^  — 

t>I»y(»9^i.fo../«Jv^»tKtf^Ao-nO-«i-  wt^/''.W3;:'-ff.»/,.(J-«r4,-«»c»«».«««.4,«-»c.«AO"--*'"^t^'^t^  *;«-««.«< -^ »v.«ww.^  ^'i* 

f-2>  »i  i-s  Zi.«^Ai^^SKai is.-^vo-WiC  ftM^-iHSr^.*  i.i.-3«^j,/&^  i:/3"'."".>v*'.ft;'j' 


N^'^' 


(grantrti   iluly  22.  IfiBB. 
tn  tbr 

aittu  of  Albang.  N.  f. 


Cbartei\ 


Thomas  Dongan,  lieutenant  and  governor  of  the  ])rovince  of  Xew 
York,  and  dependencies  in  America,  under  his  most  sacred 
majesty  James  the  Second,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  England,  Scot- 
land, France  and  Ireland,  king,  defender  of  the  faith,  &c.,  and 
■  supreme  lord  and  proprietor  of  the  said  province  of  New  York 
and  its  dependencies,  to  all  persons  to  whom  these  presents  -^-hall 
or  may  come,  or  in  any  wise  concern,  sendetli  greeting : 

WtlEREAS  the  town  of  Albany  is  an  ancient  town  within  the 
said  province,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  town  have  held, 
used  and  enjoyed,  as  well  within  the  same  as  elsewhere  within  the  said 
province,  divers  and  sundry  rights,  liberties,  privileges,  franchises, 
free  customs,  preeminences,  advantages,  jurisdictions,  emoluments, 
and  immunities,  as  well  as  by  prescription,  as  by  grants,  confirmations 
and  proclamations,  not  only  by  divers  governors  and  commanders-in- 
chief  in  the  said  province,  under  his  said  majesty,  but  also  of  several 
governors,  generals  and  commanders-in-chief  of  the  Nether-Dutch 
Nation,  whilst  the  same  was  or  has  been  under  their  powers  and 
subjection.  And  whereas  divers  lands  tenements  and  heredita- 
ments, jurisdictions,  liberties,  immunities  and  privileges  have  hereto- 
fore been  given  and  granted  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  town,  some- 
times by  the  name  of  commissaries  of  the  town  of  Beverwyck; 
sometimes  by  the  name  of  schcpcucn  of  Williamstadt ;  and  sometimes 
by  the  name  of  justices  of  the  peace  for  the  town  of  Albany; 
and  by  divers  other  names,  as  by  their  several  grants,  writings, 
records  and  minutes  amongst  other  things  may  more  fully  appear. 
And  whereas  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  town  have  erected,  built, 
and  appropriated  at  their  own  proper  cost  and  charges,  several 
public  buildings,  accommodations,  and  conveniences  for  the  said 
town,  as  also  certain  pieces  or  parcels  of  ground  for  the  use  of  the 
same,  that  is  to  say,  the  town-hall,  or  stadt-house,  with  the  ground 
thereunto  belonging;  the  church  or  meeting  place,  with  the  ground 
about  the  same  ;  the  burial  place,  adjoining  to  the  palisades  at  the 
southeast  end  of  the  town ;  the  watch  house  and  ground  thereunto 
belonging;  a  certain  piece  or  parcel  of  land,  commonly  called  or 
known  by  the  name  of  the  Pasture,  situate,  lying  and  being  to  the 
southward  of  the  said  town,  near  the  place  where  the  old  fort  stood 
and  extending  along  Hudson  river,  till  it  comes  over  against  tht 
most  northerly  point  of  the  island,  coiumonly  called  Martin  Gerit- 


90  CHARTER. 

sen's  island,  having  to  the  east  Hudson's  river,  to  the  south  the 
manor  of  Rensselaerwyck,  to  the  west  the  highway  leading  to  the 
town,  the  Pasture  late  in  the  tenure  and  occupation  of  Martin 
Gerritsen,  and  the  Pasture  late  in  the  tenure  and  occupation  of 
Casper  Jacobse,  to  the  north  the  several  pastures  late  in  the  tenure 
and  occupation  of  Robert  Sanders,  Myndert  Harmense,  and  Evert 
Wendel,  and  the  several  gardens  late  in  the  tenures  and  occupation 
of  Dirk  VVessels,  Killian  Van  Rensselaer  and  Abraham  Staats,  with 
their  and  every  of  their  appurtenances;  and  also  have  established 
and  settled  one  Ferry  from  the  said  town  to  Greenbush,  situate  on 
the  other  side  of  Hudson's  river,  for  the  accommodation  and  conve- 
niency  of  passengers,  the  said  citizens  and  travellers.  And  whereas 
several  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  do  hold  from  and  under  his 
most  sacred  majesty  respectively,  as  well  by  several  respective 
patents,  grants  and  conveyances,  made  and  granted  by  the  late 
governors  and  commanders-in-chief  of  the  said  province,  as  other- 
wise, several  and  respective  messuages,  lands,  tenements,  and  here- 
ditaments, in  the  town  of  Albany  aforesaid,  and  that  the  said 
inhabitants  of  the  said  town  of  Albany  and  their  heirs  and  assigns 
respectively,  may  hold,  exercise,  and  enjoy,  not  only  such  and  the 
same  liberties,  privileges,  franchises,  rights,  royalties,  free  customs, 
jurisdictions  and  immunities,  as  they  anciently  have  had,  held,  used 
and  enjoyed,  but  also  such  public  buildings,  accommodations,  con- 
veniences, messuages,  lands,  tenements  and  hereditaments  in  the 
said  town  of  Albany,  which  as  aforesaid,  have  been  by  the  inhabit- 
ants erected  and  built,  or  which  have  as  aforesaid  been  held,  enjoyed, 
granted,  and  conveyed  unto  them,  or  any  of  them  respectively. 

Know  ye  therefore,  that  I  the  said  Thomas  Dongan,  by  virtue  of 
the  commission  and  authority  unto  me  given,  and  power  in  me  pre- 
siding, at  the  humble  petition  of  the  justices  of  the  peace  of  the 
said  town  of  Albany,  and  for  divers  other  good  causes  and  con- 
siderations me  thereunto  moving,  have  given,  granted,  ratified  and 
confirmed,  and  by  these  presents,  for  and  on  behalf  of  his  most 
sacred  majesty  aforesaid,  his  heirs  and  successors,  do  give,  grant, 
ratify,  and  confirm  unto  the  said  inhabitants  of  the  said  town,  here- 
inafter agreed  to  be  called  by  the  name  or  names  of  the  Mayor, 
Alderman,  and  Commonalty  of  the  City  of  Albany,  all  and  every 
such  and  the  same  liberties,  privileges,  franchises,  rights,  royalties, 
free  customs,  jurisdictions,  and  immunities,  which  they  have 
anciently  had,  held  and  enjoyed,  provided  always,  that  none  of  the 
said  liberties,  privileges,  franchises,  rights,  free  customs,  juris- 
dictions, or  immunities,  be  inconsistent  with,  or  repugnant  to,  the 
laws  of  His  Majesty's  Kingdom  of  England,  or  other  the  laws  of 
the   general  assembly   of  this   province ;   and   the  aforesaid   public 


CHARTER.  91 

buildings,  accommodations  and  conveniences,  pieces  or  parcels  of 
ground  in  the  said  town,  that  is  to  say,  the  said  town  hall  or  stadt 
house,  with  the  ground   thereunto  belonging;  the  said  church  or 
meeting  place,  with  the  ground  about  the  same;  the  said  burying 
place,  the  watch  house,   and   ground   thereto  belonging;   the   said 
pasture  and  the  aforementioned  ferry,  with  their  and  every  of  their 
rights,  members,  and  appurtenances,  together  with  all  the  profits, 
benefits  and  advantages  that  shall  or  may  accrue  or  arise   at  all 
times  hereafter,  for  anchorage  or  wharfage  in  the  harbor,  port  or 
wharf  of  the  said  city,  with  all  and  singular  the  rents,  issues,  profits, 
gains  and  advantages  which  shall  or  may  arise,  grow  or  accrue  by 
the  said  town-hall  or  stadt-house,  and   the   ground  thereunto  be- 
longing ;  church  or  meeting-place,  with  the  ground  about  the  same ; 
burying-place,   watch-house,   pasture,    ferry,    and   other   the    above 
mentioned  premises,  or  any  of  them,  and  also  all  and  every  the 
streets,   lanes,   highways  and  alleys,   within  the   said  city,   for  the 
public  use  and  service  of  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty 
of  the  said  city,  and  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  places  adjacent,  and 
travellers  there;  together  with  full  power,  licence  and  authority  to 
the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty,  and  their  successors  for 
ever,  to  establish,  appoint,  order,  and  direct  the  establishing,  mak- 
ing, laying-out,  ordering,  amending,  and  repairing  of  all   streets, 
lanes,  alleys,  highways  and  bridges,  water  courses  and  ferries  in 
and  throughout  the  said  city,  or  leading  to  the  same,  necessary, 
needful  and  convenient  for  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  city,  and  the 
parts  adjacent,  and  for  travellers  there :    Provided  always,  that  the 
said  license,  so  as  above  granted  for  the  establishing,  making,  and 
laying  out  streets,  lanes,  alleys,  highways,  ferries  and  bridges,  be 
not  extended  or  construed  to  extend,  to  the  taking  away  of  any 
person  or  persons  right  or  property,  without  his  or  their  consent,  or 
by  some  known  law  of  the  said  province.     And  for  the  consideration 
aforesaid,  I  do  likewise  give,  grant,  ratify,  and  confirm  unto  all  and 
every  the  respective   inhabitants  of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  and 
their  several  and  respective  heirs  and  assigns,  all  and  every  the 
several  respective  messuages,  lands,  tenements,  and  hereditaments 
situate,   lying  and  being  in   the   said  city,   to  them   severaJJy   and 
respectively    granted,    conveyed,    and    confirmed    by    any    the    late 
governors,  lieutenants  or  commanders  in  chief  of  the  said  province, 
or  by  the  commissaries  or  justices  of  the  peace,  or  other  magistrates 
of  Albany  aforesaid,  or  otherwise  howsoever ;  to  hold  to  their  several 
and  respective  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 

And  I  do  by  these  presents,  give  and  grant  to  the  said  mayor, 
aldermen,  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  all  the  waste, 
vacant,  unpatented  and  unappropriated  land,  lying  and  being  within 


92  CHARTER. 

the  said  city  of  Albany,  and  the  precincts  and  Hberties  thereof,  ex- 
tending and  reaching  to  the-  low  water  mark,  in,  by,  and  through 
all  parts  of  the  said  city;  together  with  all  rivers,  rivulets,  coves, 
creeks,  ponds,  water  courses,  in  the  said  city,  not  heretofore  given 
or  granted,  by  any  of  the  former  governors,  lieutenants,  or  com- 
manders-in-chief, under  their,  or  some  of  their  respective  hands 
and  seals,  or  the  seal  of  the  province,  to  some  respective  person  or 
persons,  late  inhabitants  of  the  said  city,  or  of  other  parts  of  the 
said  province ;  and  also  the  royalties  of  fishing,  fowling,  hunting, 
hawking,  mines,  minerals,  and  other  royalties  and  privileges,  belong- 
ing or  appertaining  to  the  city  of  Albany  (gold  and  silver  mines 
only  excepted.) 

And  I  do  by  these  presents  give,  grant,  and  confirm  unto  the 
said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of  Albany, 
and  their  successors,  forever,  full  and  free  licence  and  liberty  of 
fishing  in  Hudson's  river,  not  only  within  the  limits  of  the  said 
city,  but  without,  even  so  far  northward  and  southward,  as  the 
river  does  extend  itself,  within  the  said  county  of  Albany,  together 
with  free  liberty,  license,  and  authority  to  and  for  the  said  mayor, 
aldermen,  and  commonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany  aforesaid,  and  their 
successors,  at  all  time  and  times  hereafter,  for  and  during  the  space 
of  one  and  twenty  years,  from  and  after  the  fourth  day  of  Novem- 
ber last  past,  to  be  accomplished  and  fully  to  be  compleat  and  ended, 
to  cut  down  and  carry  away,  out  of  any  part  of  the  manor  of  Rens- 
selaerwyck  (provided  it  be  not  within  any  fenced  or  inclosed  land) 
such  firewood  and  timber,  for  building  and  fencing,  as  to  them  shall 
seem  meet  and  convenient. 

And  I  do  by  these  presents,  grant  unto  the  said  mayor,  aldermen, 
and  commonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany,  and  their  successors  for  ever 
hereafter;  all  such  strays  as  shall  be  taken  within  the  limits,  pre- 
cincts, and  bounds  of  the  said  city.     -  .  ■ 

And  I  do  by  these  presents,  give-^nd  grant  unto  the  sai-ci  mayor, 
aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  eity  of  Albany,  and  tlisgir  suc- 
cessors, full  liberty  and  license  at  their  pleasure,  to  purchase  from 
the  Indians,  the  quantity  of  five  hundred  acres  of-'  li3W  or  meadow 
land,:iLying  at  a  certain  place,  called  or -known  by  the  name  of 
Schaahtecogne,  which  quantity  of  five  hundred  acres,  shall,  and 
may  be,  in  what  part  of  Schaahtecogue,  or  the  land  adjacent,  as 
they  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty,  of  the  :  city  of 
Albany,  shall  think  most  convenient.  r;;: 

And  I  do  by  these  presents,  give  and  grant  unto  the  said' mayor, 
aldermen  and  commonalty,  full  power  and  license  at  their  pleasure, 
likewise  to  purchase  from  the  Indians,  the  quantity  of  one  thousand 
acres  of  low  or  meadow  land,  lying  at  a  certain  place,  called  or 
known  by  the  name  of  Tionnondoroge,  which  quantity  of  one  thou- 


CHARTER.  93 

sand  acres  of  low  or  meadow  land,  shall,  and  nuuy  be  in  what  part 
of  Tiomwiidorogc,  or  the  land  adjacent  on  both  sides  of  the  river, 
as  they  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city 
of  Albany,  shall  think  most  convenient ;  which  said  several  parcels 
of  low  or  meadow  land,  I  do  hereb}^  in  behalf  of  his  said  majesty, 
his  heirs  and  successors  give,  grant  and  confirm  unto  the  said 
mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  city  of  Alban}^  aforesaid, 
to  be  and  remain  to  the  use  and  behoof  of  them,  and  their  suc- 
cessors forever.  To  have  and  to  hold,  all  and  singular  the  premises, 
to  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of 
Albany,  and  their  successors  forever,  rendering  and  paying  therefor 
unto  his  most  sacred  majesty,  his  heirs,  successors  and  assigns,  or 
to  such  officer  or  receiver,  as  shall  be  appointed  to  receive  the  same, 
yearly,  forever  hereafter,  the  annual  quit  rent  or  acknowledgement 
of  one  beaver  skin,  in  Albany,  on  the  five  and  twentieth  day  of 
March,  yearly  forever. 

And  moreover,  I  will,  and  by  these  presents  for  his  said  majesty, 
his  heirs  and  successors,  grant,  appoint,  and  declare,  that  the  said 
city  of  Albany,  and  the  compass,  precincts,  and  limits  thereof,  and 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  same,  shall  from  henceforth  extend  and  reach 
itself,  and  shall  and  may  be  able  to  reach  forth  and  extend  itself,  as 
well  in  length  and  in  breadth,  as  in  circuit,  on  the  east  by  Hudson's 
river,  so  far  as  low  water  mark ;  to  the  south,  by  a  line  to  be  drawn 
from  the  southermost  end  of  the  Pasture,  at  the  north  end  of  the 
said  island,  called  Martin  Gerritsen's  island,  running  back  into  the 
woods,  sixteen  English  miles  due  northwest,  to  a  certain  kill  or 
creek,  called  the  Sandkill,  on  the  north,  to  a  line  to  be  drawn  from 
the  post  that  was  set  by  Governor  Stuyvesant,  near  Hudson's  river, 
running  likewise  northwest,  sixteen  English  miles,  and  on  the  west 
by  a  straight  line,  to  be  drawn  from  the  points  of  the  said  south  and 
north  lines;  wherefore  by  these  presents,  I  do  firmly  enjoin  and 
command,  for  and  on  behalf  of  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs,  and  suc- 
cessors that  the  aforesaid  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the 
city  aforesaid,  and  their  successors,  shall,  and  may  freely  and  quietly 
have,  hold,  use,  and  enjoy  the  aforesaid  liberties,,  authorities,  juris- 
dictions, franchises,  rights,  royalties,  privileges,  advantages,  exemp- 
tions, lands,  tenements,  hereditaments,  and  premises  aforesaid,  in 
manner  and  form  aforesaid,  according  to  the  tenure  and  effect  of 
the  aforesaid  grants,  patents,  customs,  and  these  letters  patents  of 
grant  and  confirmation,  without  the  let,  hindrance,  or  impediment, 
of  any  of  his  majesty's  governors,  lieutenants,  or  other  officers  what-' 
soever;  and  that  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the 
city  aforesaid,  and  their  successors,  or  any  of  them,  in  the  free  use 
and  enjoyment  of  the  premises,  or  any  of  them,  by  the  lieutenants  or 
governors  of  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs,  and  successors,  or  by  any 
of  them,  shall  not  be  hindred,  molested,  or  in  any  wise  disturbed. 


94  CHARTER. 

And  also  I  do  for  and  on  behalf  of  his  most  sacred,  majesty,  his 
heirs  and  successors,  ordain  and  grant  to  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
commonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany,  and  their  successors,  by  these 
presents,  that  for  the  better  government  of  the  said  city,  liberties 
and  precincts  thereof,  there  shall  be  forever  hereafter,  within  the 
said  city,  a  mayor,  recorder,  town  clerk,  and  six  aldermen,  and  six 
assistants,  to  be  appointed,  nominated,  elected,  chosen  and  sworn, 
as  hereinafter  is  particularly  and  respectively  mentioned,  who  shall 
be  forever  hereafter,  called  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty 
of  the  city  of  Albany,  and  that  there  shall  be  forever,  one  chamber- 
lain or  treasurer,  one  sheriff,  one  coroner,  one  clerk  of  the  market, 
one  high  constable,  three  sub-constables,  and  one  marshal  or  ser- 
geant at  mace,  to  be  appointed,  chosen,  and  sworn  in  manner  herein- 
after mentioned. 

And  I  do.  by  these  presents,  for  and  on  the  behalf  of  his  most 
sacred  majesty,  his  heirs  and  successors,  ordain,  declare,  constitute, 
grant  and  appoint,  that  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  and  assist- 
ants of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  for  the  time  being,  and  their  suc- 
cessors, forever  hereafter,  be,  and  shall  be,  by  force  of  these  pres- 
ents, one  body  corporate  and  politic,  in  deed,  fact,  and  name,  by 
the  name  of,  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty,  of  the  city  of 
Albany;  and  them  by  the  name  of,  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  com- 
monalty of  the  city  of  Albany,  one  body  corporate  and  politic,  in 
deed,  fact,  and  name ;  and  I  do  really  and  fully  create,  ordain,  make, 
constitute,  and  confirm  by  these  presents,  and  that  by  the  name  of, 
the  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany,  they 
may  have  perpetual  succession,  and  that  they,  and  their  successors, 
forever,  by  the  name  of,  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of 
the  city  of  Albany,  be,  and  shall  be,  forever  hereafter,  persons  able, 
and  in  law  capable,  to  have,  get,  receive,  and  possess  lands,  tene- 
ments, rents,  liberties,  jurisdictions,  franchises,  and  hereditaments, 
to  them  and  their  successors,  in  fee  simple,  or  for  term  of  life,  live% 
or  years,  or  otherwise ;  and  also  goods,  chattels,  and  also  other 
things  of  what  nature,  quality,  or  kind  soever ;  and  also  to  give, 
grant,  let,  set,  and  assign  the  said  lands,  tenements,  hereditaments, 
goods,  and  chattels,  and  to  do  and  execute  all  other  things  in  and 
about  the  same,  by  the  name  aforesaid ;  and  also,  that  they  be,  and 
forever  shall  be,  persons  able  in  law,  capable  to  plead,  and  be  im- 
pleaded, answer,  and  be  answered  unto,  defend,  and  be  defended, 
in  all  or  any  of  the  courts  of  his  said  majesty,  and  other  places 
whatsoever,  and  before  any  judges,  justices,  and  other  person  or 
persons  whatsoever,  in  all  and  all  manner  of  actions,  suits,  com- 
plaints, demands,  pleas,  causes  and  matters  whatsoever,  of  what 
nature,  kind  or  quality  soever,  in  the  same  and  the  like  manner  and 


CHARTER.  95 

form  as  other  people  of  this  province,  being  persons  able  and  in 
law  capable,  may  plead  and  be  impleaded,  answer  and  be  answered 
unto,  defend  and  be  defended,  by  any  lawful  ways  or  means  whatso- 
ever; and  that  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the 
said  city  of  Albany,  and  their  successors  shall  and  may  forever 
hereafter,  have  one  common  seal  to  serve  for  the  sealing  of  all  and 
singular  their  affairs  and  businesses,  touching  or  concerning  the 
said  corporation.  And  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the 
said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of  Albany, 
and  their  successors,  as  they  shall  see  cause,  to  break,  change,  alter 
and  new  make  their  said  common  seal,  and  as  often  as  to  them 
it  shall  seem  convenient. 

And  further  know  ye,  that  I  have  assigned,  named,  ordained  and 
constituted,  and  by  these  presents,  do  assign,  name  ordain  and 
constitute  Peter  Schuyler,  to  be  the  present  mayor  of  the  said  city 
of  Albany,  and  that  the  said  Peter  Schuyler,  shall  remain  and  con- 
tinue in  the  office  of  mayor  there,  until  another  fit  person  shall  be 
appointed  and  sworn  in  the  said  office,  as  in  and  by  these  presents, 
is  hereafter  mentioned  and  directed.  And  I  have  assigned,  named, 
ordained  and  constituted,  and  by  these  presents  do  assign,  name, 
ordain  and  constitute,  Isaac  Swinton,  to  be  the  present  recorder  of 
the  said  city,  to  do  and  execute  all  things,  which  unto  the  office  of 
recorder  of  the  said  city  doth,  or  may  any  way  appertain  or  belong. 
And  I  have  assigned,  named,  ordained  and  constituted,  and  by  these 
presents  do  ordain,  constitute,  create  and  declare,  Robert  Livingston, 
town  clerk  of  the  said  city ;  to  do  and  execute  all  things  which  unto 
the  office  of  town  clerk,  doth  or  may  belong.  And  also  I  have 
named,  assigned,  constituted  and  made,  and  by  these  presents  do 
assign,  constitute  and  make  Dirk  Wessels,  Jan  Jans  Bleecker,  David 
Schuyler,  Johannis  Wendel,  Lavinus  Van  Schaick,  and  Adrian 
Garritse,  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  to  be 
the  present  aldermen  of  said  city.  And  also  I  have  made,  assigned, 
named  and  constituted,  and  by  these  presents  do  make,  assign, 
name  and  constitute  Joachim  Staats,  John  Lansing,  Lsaac  Verplank, 
Lawrence  Van  Ale,  Albert  Ryckman,  and  Melgert  Winantse,  citi- 
zens and  inhabitants  of  the  said  city,  to  be  the  present  assistants  of 
the  said  city.  Also  I  have  assigned,  chosen,  named  and  constituted, 
Jan  Bleecker,  citizen  and  inhabitant  of  the  said  city,  to  be  the  present 
chamberlain  or  treasurer,  of  the  city  aforesaid.  And  I  have  as- 
signed, named,  constituted  and  appointed,  and  by  these  presents  do 
assign,  name,  constitute  and  appoint,  Richard  Pretty,  one  of  the  said 
citizens  there,  to  be  the  present  sheriff  of  the  said  city.  And  I  have 
assigned,  named,  constituted  and  appointed,  and  by  these  presents 
do  assign,  name,  constitute  and  appoint,  James  Parker,  one  other  of 
the  said  citizens,  to  be  the  present  marshal  of  the  said  city. 


96  CHARTER. 

And  I  do,  by  these  presents,  grant  to  the  said  mayor,  aldermen 
and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  and  their  successors, 
that  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen,  and  assistants  of  the  said  city, 
for  the  time  being,  or  the  mayor  and  any  three  or  more  of  the 
aldermen,  and  any  three  or  more  of  the  assistants,  of  the  said  city, 
for  the  time  being,  be.  and  shall  be  called  the  common  council  of 
the  said  city;  and  that  they,  or  the  greater  part  of  them,  shall  or 
may  have  full  power  and  authority,  by  virtue  of  these  presents,  from 
time  to  time,  to  call  and  hold  common  council,  within  the  common 
council  house,  or  city  hall  of  the  said  city ;  and  there,  as  occasion 
shall  be,  to  make  laws,  orders,  ordinances  and  constitutions  in  writ- 
ing; and  to  add,  alter,  diminish  and  refortii  them,  from  time  to 
time,  as  to  them  shall  seem  necessary  and  convenient,  (not  repug- 
nant to  the  prerogative  of  the  King's  majesty,  his  heirs  or  suc- 
cessors, or  to  any  the  laws  of  the  kingdom  of  England,  or  other  the 
laws  of  the  general  assembly  of  the  province  of  New  York  afore- 
said) for  the  good  rule,  oversight,  correction  and  government  of 
the  said  city,  and  liberties  of  the  same,  and  of  all  the  officers 
thereof,  and  of  the  several  tradesmen,  victuallers,  artificers,  and  of 
all  other  people  and  inhabitants  of  the  city,  liberties  and  precincts 
aforesaid,  and  for  the  preservation  of  government,  the  Indian  trade, 
and  all  other  commerce  and  dealing,  and  for  disposal  of  all  the 
lands,  tenements  and  hereditaments,  goods  and  chattels  of  the  said 
corporation:  which  said  laws,  ordinances  and  constitutions,  shall  be 
binding  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  city,  liberties  and  precincts 
aforesaid ;  and  which  laws,  orders,  ordinances  and  constitutions,  so 
by  them  to  be  made  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  and  remain  in  force,  for 
the  space  of  one  year,  and  no  longer,  unless  they  shall  be  allowed 
and  confirmed  by  the  governor  and  council,  for  the  time  being. 

And  further,  I  will  and  grant  to  the  said  common  council  of  the 
said  city,  for  the  time  being,  as  often  as  they  make,  ordain  and 
establish  such  laws,  orders,  ordinances,  and  constitutions  aforesaid, 
shall  or  may  make,  ordain,  limit,  provide,  set,  impose,  and  tax 
reasonable  fines  and  amerciaments,  against  and  upon  all  persons 
offending  against  such  laws,  orders,  ordinances  and  constitutions 
as  aforesaid,  or  any  of  them,  to  be  made,  ordained  and  established 
as  aforesaid,  and  the  same  fines  and  amerciaments  shall  and  may 
require,  demand,  levy,  take  and  receive,  by  warrants,  under  the 
common  seal,  to  and  for  the  use  and  behoof  of  the  mayor,  aldermen 
and  commonalty  of  the  said  city,  and  their  successors,  either  by 
distress  and  sale  of  the  goods  and  chattels  of  the  ofifenders  therein, 
if  such  goods  and  chattels  may  be  found  within  the  said  city, 
liberties  and  precincts  thereof,  rendering  to  such  offender  and 
offenders  the  overplus,  or  by  any  other  lawful  ways  or  means  what- 
soever. 


CHARTER.  97 

And  1  do  by  these  presents,  for  the  King's  majesty,  his  heirs  and 
successors,  approve  and  ordain  the  assigning,  naming  and  appoint- 
ment of  the  mayor  and  sheriff  of  the  said  city,  that  it  shall  be  as 
follows,  viz :  upon  the  feast  day  of  St.  Michael,  the  arch  angel, 
yearly,  the  lieutenant  governor  or  commander  in  chief,  for  the  time 
being,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  his  council,  shall  nominate  and 
appoint  such  a  person  as  he  shall  think  fit,  to  be  mayor  of  the  said 
city,  for  the  year  next  ensuing;  and  one  other  person  of  sufficient 
ability  in  estate,  and  capacity  in  understanding,  to  be  sheriff  of  the 
said  city  of  Albany,  for  the  year  next  ensuing ;  and  that  such  person 
as  shall  be  assigned,  named  and  appointed  mayor,  and  such  person 
as  shall  be  assigned,  named  and  appointed  sheriff  of  the  said  city 
as  aforesaid,  shall  on  the  14th  day  of  October,  then  next  following, 
in  the  city-hall  or  stadt-house  aforesaid,  take  the  several 
and  respective  corporal  oaths  aforesaid  before  the  recorder, 
aldermen  and  assistants  or  any  three  of  the  aldermen  and 
four  of  the  assistants  of  the  said  city,  for  the  time  being, 
for  the  due  execution  of  their  respective  offices  as  aforesaid; 
and  that  the  said  mayor  and  sheriff",  so  to  be  nominated  and  ap- 
pointed as  aforesaid,  shall  remain  and  continue  in  their  respective 
offices,  until  another  fit  person  shall  be  nominated,  appointed  and 
sworn  in  the  place  of  mayor,  and  one  other  person  shall  be  nomi- 
nated, appointed  and  sworn  in  the  place  of  sheriff  of  the  said  city, 
in  manner  aforesaid :  which  oaths  the  said  recorder,  aldermen  and 
assistants,  or  any  three  or  more  of  the  aldermen,  shall  and  may  law- 
fully administer,  and  have  hereby  power  to  administer  to  the  said 
Mayor  and  the  said  sheriff',  so  nominated  and  appointed,  from  time 
to  time,  accordingly. 

And  further,  that  according  to  usage  and  custom,  the  recorder 
and  town  clerk  of  the  said  city,  shall  be  persons  of  good  capacity  and 
understanding,  such  as  his  most  sacred  majesty,  his  heirs  and  suc- 
cessors, shall  in  the  said  respective  offices  of  recorder  and  town 
clerk  respectively  appoint  and  commissionate  ;  and  for  defect  of  such 
appointment,  and  commissionating,  by  his  most  sacred  majesty  as 
aforesaid,  his  heirs  and  successors,  to  be  such  persons  as  the  said 
governor,  lieutenant  or  commander  in  chief  of  the  said  province,  for 
the  time  being  shall  appoint  or  commissionate ;  which  persons  so 
commissionated  to  the  said  office  of  recorder  and  office  of  town  clerk 
respectively,  shall  have,  hold  and  enjoy  the  said  offices  respectively, 
according  to  the  tenor  and  effect  of  the  said  respective  commissions, 
and  not  otherwise. 

And  further,  I  will,  that  the  recorder,  town  clerk,  aldermen,  assist- 
ants, chamberlain,  high  constables,  petty-constables,  and  all  other 
officers  of  the  said  city,  before  they,  or  any  of  them  shall  be  admitted 
to  enter  upon,  and  execute  their  respective  offices,  shall  be  sworn 


98  CHARTER. 

faithfully  to  execute  the  same,  before  the  mayor,  or  any  three  or 
more  of  the  aldermen,  for  the  time  being.  And  I  do,  by  these 
presents,  for  and  on  behalf  of  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs  and  suc- 
cessors, grant,  and  give  power  and  authority  to  the  mayor  and  re- 
corder of  the  said  city,  for  the  time  being  to  administer  the  same 
respective  oaths  to  them  accordingly. 

And  further,  I  will,  and  by  these  presents,  do  grant  for  and  on 
behalf  of  his  most  sacred  majesty,  his  heirs  and  successors,  that  the 
mayor,  aldermen  and  recorder  of  the  said  city,  for  the  time  being, 
shall  be  justices  and  keepers  of  the  peace  of  his  said  majesty,  his 
heirs  and  successors,  and  justices  to  hear  and  determine  matters  and 
causes  within  the  said  city,  liberties  and  precincts  thereof;  and  that 
they  or  any  three  or  more  of  them,  shall  and  may  forever  hereafter 
have  power  and  authority,  by  virtue  of  these  presents,  to  hear  and 
determine  all  and  all  manner  of  petty  larcenies,  riots,  routs,  oppres- 
sions, extortions,  and  all  other  trespasses  and  offences  whatsoever 
within  the  said  city  of  Albany,  and  the  limits,  precincts,  and  liberties 
thereof,  from  time  to  time,  arising  and  happening,  and  which  shall 
arise  or  happen,  and  any  ways  belong  to  the  office  of  justices  of  the 
peace,  and  correction  and  punishment  of  the  offences  aforesaid,  and 
every  of  them,  according  to  the  laws  of  England,  and  the  laws  of 
the  said  province ;  and  to  do  and  execute  all  other  things  in  the 
said  city,  liberties  and  precincts  aforesaid,  so  fully  and  in  as  ample 
manner  as  to  the  commissioners  assigned,  and  to  be  assigned  for  the 
keeping  of  the  peace  in  the  said  city  and  county  of  Albany,  doth  or 
may  belong. 

And  moreover,  I  do,  by  these  presents,  for  his  majesty,  his  heirs 
and  successors,  will  and  appoint  that  the  aldermen  and  assistants, 
within  the  said  city,  be  yearly  chosen  on  the  feast  day  of  St.  Michael 
the  arch  angel,  for  ever,  viz :  Two  aldermen  and  two  assistants  for 
each  respective  ward,  in  such  public  place  in  the  said  respective 
wards,  as  the  aldermen  for  the  time  being,  for  each  ward,  shall 
direct  and  appoint,  and  that  by  the  majority  of  voices  of  the  in- 
habitants of  each  ward;  and  that  the  chamberlain  shall  be  yearly 
chosen,  on  the  said  feast  day,  in  the  city  hall  of  the  said  city,  by 
the  said  mayor,  alderrnen  and  assistants  of  the  said  city^  or  by  the 
mayor  or  three  or  more  of  the  aldermen,  and  three  or  more  of  the 
assistants  of  the  said  city,  for  the  time  being.  And  I  do,  by  these 
presents,  constitute  and  appoint  Robert  Livingston  to  be  the  present 
town  clerk,  clerk  of  the  peace,  and  clerk  of  the  court  of  pleas,  to  be 
holden  before  the  mayor,  recorder  and  aldermen  within  the  said 
city,  and  the  liberties  and  precincts  thereof. 

And  further,  I  do  by  these  presents,  for  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs 
and  successors,  require  and  straitly  charge  and  command,  that  the 
sheriff,  town  clerk,  clerk  of  the  peace,  high  constable,  petty  con- 


CHARTER.  99 

Stables,  and  all  other  subordinate  officers  in  the  said  city,  for  the 
time  being,  and  every  of  them  respectively,  jointly  and  severally,  as 
causes  shall  require,  shall  attend  upon  the  said  mayor,  recorder,  and 
aldermen  of  the  said  city,  for  the  time  being,  and  every  or  any  of 
them,  according  to  the  duty  of  their  respective  place,  in  and  about 
the  executing  of  such  the  commands,  precepts,  warrants  and  process 
of  them,  and  every  of  them,  as  belongeth  and  appertaineth  to  be 
done  or  executed. 

And  that  the  aforesaid  mayor,  recorder,  and  aldermen,  and  every 
of  them,  as  justices  of  the  peace,  and  for  the  time  being,  by  their 
ox  any  of  their  warrants,  all  and  every  person  or  persons,  for  high 
treason  or  petty  treason,  or  for  suspicion  thereof,  and  for  other 
felonies  whatsoever,  and  all  malefactors  and  disturbers  of  the  peace, 
and  other  offenders  for  any  other  misdemeanors,  who  shall  be  ap- 
prehended within  the  said  city  or  liberties  thereof,  or  without  the 
same  in  any  part  within  the  said  county,  shall  and  may  send  and 
commit,  or  cause  to  be  sent  and  committed  to  the  common  gaol  of 
the  said  city,  there  to  remain  and  be  kept  in  safe  custody  by  the 
keeper  of  the  said  gaol,  or  his  deputy  for  the  time  being,  until  such 
offender  and  offenders  shall  be  lawfully  delivered  thence. 

And  I  do,  by  these  presents,  for  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs  and 
successors,  charge  and  require  the  keeper  and  keepers  of  the  said 
gaol  for  the  time  being,  and  his  and  their  deputy  and  deputies,  to 
receive  and  take  into  safe  custody,  to  keep  all  and  singular  such 
person  and  persons  so  apprehended,  or  to  be  apprehended,  sent  and 
committed  unto  the  said  gaol,  by  warrant  of  the  said  justices,  or 
any  of  them  as  aforesaid,  until  he  or  they  so  sent  and  committed  to 
the  said  gaol,  shall  from  thence  be  delivered  by  due  course  of  law. 

And  further,  I  grant  and  confirm,  for  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs 
and  successors,  that  the  said  mayor  of  the  said  city  for  the  time 
being,  and  no  other,  shall  have  power  and  authority  to  give  and 
grant  licenses  annually,  under  the  public  seal  of  the  said  city,  to  all 
tavern  keepers,  inn  keepers,  ordinary  keepers,  victuallers,  and  all 
public  sellers  of  wine,  strong  waters,  cider,  beer,  or  any  sort  of 
liquors  by  retail  within  the  city  aforesaid,  or  the  liberties  and  jire- 
cincts  thereof,  or  without  the  same  in  any  part  of  the  said  county ; 
and  that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the  said  ma>'or  of  tlie 
said  city,  for  the  time  being,  to  ask,  demand,  and  receive  for  each 
license  by  him  to  be  given  and  granted  as  aforesaid,  such  sum  or 
sums  of  money,  as  he  and  the  person  to  whom  such  license  shall  be 
given  or  granted,  shall  agree  for,  not  exceeding  the  sum  of  thirty 
shillings,  current  money  of  this  country,  for  each  license :  all  which 
money,  as  by  the  said  mayor,  shall  be  so  received,  shall  be  used  and 
applied  to  the  public  use  of  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  common- 
alty of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  without  any  account  thereof  to  be 


lOO  CHARTER. 

rendered,  made  or  done  to  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs,  successors  or 
assigns,  or  any  of  his  Heutenants,  or  governors  of  the  said  province, 
for  the  time  being,  or  any  of  their  deputies. 

And  further,  I  do  grant  for  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs  and  suc- 
cessors, that  the  said  mayor  of  the  said  city,  for  the  said  city,  for 
the  time  being,  and  no  other,  be,  and  forever  shall  be  clerk  of  the 
market  within  the  city  aforesaid,  and  the  liberties  and  precincts, 
thereof ;  and  that  he  and  no  other,  shall  and  may  forever  do,  execute 
and  perform  all  and  singular  acts,  deeds  and  things  whatsoever,  be- 
longing to  the  office  of  clerk  of  the  market  within  the  city  aforesaid, 
and  the  liberties  and  precincts  thereof,  to  be  done,  executed,  and 
performed.  And  that  the  said  mayor  of  the  said  city  for  the  time 
being,  and  no  other  person  or  persons,  shall  or  may  have  assize  or 
assay  of  bread,  wine,  beer  and  wood,  and  other  things  to  the  office 
of  clerk  of  the  market  belonging  or  concerning,  as  well  in  the  pres- 
ence as  in  the  absence  of  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs,  and  successors, 
or  his  or  their  lieutenants  or  governors  here.  Also,  I  will  and  grant 
for  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs  and  successors,  unto  the  mayor,  alder- 
men and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  for  the  time  being,  and  their 
successors  forever,  that  the  mayor  of  the  city  aforesaid,  for  the  time 
being,  during  the  time  that  he  shall  remain  in  the  said  office  of 
mayor,  and  no  other,  be,  or  shall  be  coroner  of  his  said  majesty,  his 
heirs  and  successors,  as  well  within  the  city  aforesaid,  and  the  liber- 
ties and  precincts  thereof,  as  without  the  same,  within  the  limits  or 
bounds  of  the  said  county:  and  that  he,  and  no  other,  shall  do  or 
cause  to  be  done  and  executed,  within  the  said  city,  limits  and  pre- 
cincts thereof,  or  without  the  same,  within  the  limits  and  bounds  of 
the  county,  all  and  singular  matters  and  things  to  the  said  office  of 
coroner  belonging,  there  to  be  done.  And  that  the  said  mayor  of 
the  said  city  for  the  time  being,  shall  take  his  corporal  oath  before 
the  recorder,  or  any  three  or  more  of  the  aldermen  of  the  said  city, 
well  and  duly  to  execute  the  said  office  of  clerk  of  the  market  and 
coroner  of  the  said  city  and  county,  before  he  take  upon  him  the 
execution  of  either  of  the  said  offices. 

And  also,  I  do  by  these  presents,  grant  unto  the  mayor,  aldermen 
and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  that  if  any  of  the  citi- 
zens of  the  said  city,  or  inhabitants  within  the  liberties  and  pre- 
cincts thereof,  that  shall  after  be  elected,  nominated  and  chosen  to 
the  office  of  mayor,  aldermen,  assistants,  sheriff  or  chamberlain  of 
the  said  city  as  aforesaid,  and  have  notice  of  his  or  their  election, 
shall  refuse  to  deny  to  take  upon  him  or  them  to  execute  that  office, 
to  which  they  shall  be  so  chosen  or  nominated ;  that  then,  and  so 
often  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen 
and  assistants  of  the  said  city,  for  the  time  being,  or  the  mayor,  or 


GOVERNOR  THOMAS  DONGAN. 
Col   Thonias  Dongan,  born  at  Castletown,  Ire.,  1634.  became  Governor  of 
.He  So.nce  o.  New  Yor.  Au.  .5^.683   and  -e     ^1  s^^^^^^^^ 
Edmund  Andros  on  Aug.  n,  1688.     He  grantea  me  ^ 
22,  1686.     Died  at  London,  Dec.  14,  I7i5- 


CHARTER.  lOI 

any  three  of  the  aldermen,  and  three  or  more  of  the  assistants  of  the 
said  city  for  the  time  being,  to  tax,  assess,  and  impose  upon  such 
person  or  persons  so  refusing  or  denying,  such  reasonable  or  moder- 
ate fines  and  sum  of  money  as  to  their  discretion  shall  be  thought 
most  fit  so  as  the  said  fine,  penalty,  or  sum,  for  refusing  or  denying 
to  hold  and  execute  the  office  of  mayor  of  the  said  city,  do  not  ex- 
ceed the  sum  of  twenty  pounds,  current  money  of  this  country ;  and 
the  fine  for  refusing  or  denying  to  hold  and  execute  the  place  of  an 
alderman  do  not  exceed  the  sum  of  ten  pounds,  like  current  money  ; 
and  the  line  for  denying  or  refusing  to  hold  and  execute  the  place 
of  chamberlain,  assistant  or  sheriiT,  the  sum  of  five  pounds,  like  cur- 
rent money. 

And  I  do,  by  these  presents,  for  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs  and 
successors,  authorize  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  and  assistants 
of  the  said  city  for  the  time  being,  and  the  mayor,  and  three  or 
more  of  the  aldermen,  and  three  or  more  of  the  assistants  there  for 
the  time  being,  to  frustrate  and  make  void  the  election  of  such  per- 
son or  persons  so  refusing  or  denying  as  aforesaid ;  and  then,  and 
in  such  cases,  any  other  fit  and  able  person  and  persons,  citizen  and 
citizens,  of  the  said  city,  or  inhabiting  within  the  liberties  and  pre- 
cincts thereof,  in  convenient  times,  to  elect  anew  in  manner  afore- 
said, directed  and  prescribed  to  execute  such  office  and  offices  so 
denied  or  refused  to  be  executed  as  aforesaid;  and  that  if  it  shall 
happen  that   such  person  or  persons  so  to  be  elected  anew,   shall 
refuse  or  deny  to  take  upon  him  or  them  any  of  the  said  office  or 
offices  unto  which  he  or  they  shall  be  chosen  and  elected  as  afore- 
said ;  then  and  in  such  case,  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  and  assist- 
ants of  the  said  city  for  the  time  being,  or  the  said  mayor,  or  three 
or  more  of  the  said  aldermen,  and  three  or  more  of  the  assistants  of 
the  said  city  for  the  time  being,  shall  or  may  set,  and  impose  upon 
them  so  denying  or  refusing,  such  and  the  like  moderate  fines  as  is 
before  set  down  in  the  like  cases  to  the  respective  offices,  with  such 
limitations  as  aforesaid ;  and  also  in  such  and  the  like  manner  as 
aforesaid,  to  continue  and  make  void  such  election  and  elections,  and 
make  new  elections  as  often  as  need  shall  be  and  require ;  all  which 
said  fines  so  set  and  imposed,  I  do,  by  these  presents,  for  and  on 
behalf  of  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs,  successor  and  assigns,  grant  to 
be,  and  shall  be  and  remain,  and  belong  unto,  and  shall  be  put  into 
the  possession  and  seizen  of  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  for 
the  time  being,  and  their  successors,  to  be  levied  and  taken  by  war- 
rant under  the  common  seal,  and  by  distress  and  sale  of  the  goods 
and  chattels  of  the  several  persons  so  refusing  or  denying  as  afore- 
said, if  such  goods  and  chattels  may  be  found  within  the  said  city, 
liberties  and  precincts  thereof,  rendering  to  the  parties  the  overplus, 


I02  CHARTER. 

or  by  any  other  ways  or  lawful  means  whatsoever,  to  the  only  use 
of  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of 
Albany,  and  their  successors,  without  any  account  to  be  rendered, 
made  or  done  to  the  said  king's  majesty,  his  heirs  successors,  or 
assigns  for  the  same. 

And  know  ye,  that  for  the  better  government  of  the  said  city,  and 
for  the  welfare  of  the  citizens,  tradesmen  and  inhabitants  thereof,  I 
do  by  these  presents,  for  his  said  majesty  his  heirs  and  successors, 
give  and  grant  to  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the 
said  city,  and  their  successors,  that  the  mayor,  recorder  and  alder- 
men, or  the  mayor  or  any  three  or  more  of  the  aldermen,  for  the 
time  being,  shall,  from  time  to  time  and  all  times  hereafter,  have  full 
power  and  authority,  under  the  common  seal,  to  make  free  citizens 
of  the  said  city  and  liberties  thereof;  and  no  person  or  persons 
whatsoever,  other  than  such  free  citizens,  shall  hereafter  use  any 
art,  trade,  mystery  or  manual  occupation  within  the  said  city, 
liberties,  and  precincts  thereof,  saving  in  the  times  of 
fairs  there  to  be  kept,  and  during  the  continuance  of  such  fairs 
only.  And  in  case  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever,  not  being 
free  citizens,  shall  hereafter  use  or  exercise  any  part,  trade,  mystery 
or  manual  occupation  or  shall  by  himself,  themselves  or  others,  sell 
or  expose  to  sale  any  manner  of  merchandize  or  wares  whatsoever 
by  retail,  in  any  house,  shop  or  place,  or  standing  within  the  said 
city,  or  the  liberties  or  precincts  thereof,  no  fair  being  then  kept 
in  the  said  city,  and  shall  persist  therein,  after  warning  to  him  or 
them  given  or  left,  by  the  appointment  of  the  mayor  of  the  said 
city,  for  the  time  being,  at  the  place  or  places  where  such  person  or 
persons  shall  so  use  and  exercise  any  art,  trade,  mystery  or  manual 
occupation,  or  shall  sell  or  expose  to  sale  any  wares  or  merchandizes 
as  aforesaid,  by  retail ;  then  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  mayor  of  the 
said  city,  for  the  time  being,  to  cause  such  shop  windows  to  be  shut, 
and  also  to  impose  such  reasonable  fine  for  such  offence,  not  exceed- 
ing twenty  shillings,  for  every  respective  offence ;  and  the  same  fines 
so  imposed,  to  levy  and  take,  by  warrant  under  the  common  seal  of 
the  said  city,  for  the  time  being,  by  distress  and  sale  of  the  goods 
and  chattels,  of  the  person  or  persons  so  offending  in  the  premises, 
found  within  the  liberties  and  precincts  of  the  said  city,  rendering 
to  the  parties  the  overplus,  or  by  any  other  lawful  ways  or  means 
whatsoever,  to  the  only  use  of  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  com- 
monalty of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  and  their  successors,  without  any 
account  to  be  rendered,  made  or  done  to  his  majesty,  his  heirs  and 
successors  or  to  his  or  their  lieutenants,  governors,  or  commanders 
in  chief  for  the  same.  Provided  always,  that  no  person  or  persons, 
shall  be  made  free  as  aforesaid,  but  such  as  are  his  majesty's  natural 


CllARTKU.  103 

born  subjects,  or  such  as  shall  be  first  naturalized  by  act  of  general 
assembly,  or  have  obtained  letters  of  denization,  under  the  hand  of 
the  lieutenant,  or  governor,  or  commander-in-chief  for  the  time 
being",  and  the  seal  of  said  province ;  and  that  all  persons  to  be  made 
free  as  aforesaid,  shall  and  do  pay  for  the  public  use  of  the  said 
mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city,  such  sums  of 
money,  as  such  person  or  persons,  so  to  be  made  free,  shall  re- 
spectively agree  for,  not  exceeding  the  sum  of  three  pounds  twelve 
shillings,  for  the  admission  of  each  merchant  or  trader ;  and  the  sum 
of  six  and  thirty  shillings,  for  the  admission  of  each  handicraft  or 
tradesmen. 

And  whereas,  amongst  other  the  rights,  privileges,  prchcminences 
and  advantages,  which  the  citizens  and  freemen  of  the  said  city  of 
Albany,  and  their  predecessors,  have  for  many  years  last  past  held, 
used  and  enjoyed,  the  privileges,  preheminences,  and  advantages  of 
having  within  their  own  wall,  the  sole  management  of  the  trade 
with  all  the  Indians  living  within  and  to  the  eastward,  northward 
and  westward  of  the  said  county  of  Albany,  within  the  compass  of 
his  said  majesty's  dominion  here,  which  hath  been  from  time  to  time, 
confirmed  to  them,  and  their  said  predecessors,  as  well  by  prescrip- 
tion, as  by  divers  and  sundry  grants,  orders,  confirmations  and 
proclamations,  granted,  ordered,  confirmed,  and  issued  forth,  not 
only  by  and  from  divers  governors,  and  commanders  in  chief  in  the 
said  province,  since  the  same  hath  been  under  his  said  majesty's 
dominion,  but  also  of  several  governors,  generals,  and  commanders 
in  chief  of  the  Nether-Dutch  nation,  whilst  the  same  was,  or  has 
been  under  their  power  and  subjection,  which  has  always  been  found 
by  experience,  to  be  of  great  advantage,  not  only  to  the  said  city  in 
particular,  but  to  the  whole  province  in  general ;  and  that  by  the 
care,  caution  and  inspection  of  the  magistrates,  of  the  said  city,  to 
the  well  and  orderly  management  and  keeping  the  trade  with  the 
Indians  within  their  walls^  it  hath  returned  vastly  to  the  advance- 
ment of  trade  and  the  increase  of  his  majesty's  revenue,  and  been 
the  sole  means,  not  only  of  preserving  this  province  in  peace  and 
quiet,  whilst  the  neighboring  colonies  were  imbrued  in  blood  and 
war ;  but  also  of  putting  an  end  to  the  miseries  those  colonies  labored 
under  from  the  insulting  cruelty  of  the  Northern  Indians.  Whereas 
on  the  other  hand,  it  has  been  no  less  evident,  that  whenever  there 
has  been  any  slackness  or  remissness  in  the  regulation  and  keeping 
the  Indian  trade  within  the  walls  of  the  said  city,  occasioned  by  the 
mcroachment  of  some  persons  trading  with  the  Indians,  in  places 
remote,  some  clandestinely,  others  upon  pretence  of  hunting  passes, 
and  the  like,  the  trade  not  only  of  the  said  city,  but  of  the  whole 
province  has  apparently  decreased,  the  king's  revenue  has  been  mucli 
impaired,  and  not  only  so,  but  this  government  has  lost  much  of  the 


104  CHARTER. 

reputation  and  management  amongst  the  Indians,  which  it  other- 
wise had  and  enjoyed;  wherefore,  for  and  on  behalf  of  his  said 
majesty,  his  heirs  and  successors,  I  have  given,  granted,  ratified  and 
confirmed,  and  by  these  presents,  do  give,  grant,  ratify  and  confirm 
unto  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of 
Albany,  and  their  successors  forever,  the  right,  privilege,  prehemi- 
nence  and  advantage  of  the  sole  and  only  management  of  the  trade 
with  the  Indians,  as  well  within  this  whole  county,  as  without  the 
same,  to  the  eastward,  northward  and  westward  thereof,  so  far  as 
his  majesty's  dominion  here  does  or  may  extend,  to  be  managed  and 
transacted  only  by  the  freemen,  being  actual  inhabitants  within  the 
said  city  and  within  the  now  walls  or  stockadoes  thereof,  and  not 
elsewhere.  And  I  do  hereby,  for  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs  and 
successors,  absolutely  forbid  and  prohibit  all  and  every  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  said  province  of  New  York,  (the  inhabitants  of  the  said 
city  of  Albany,  only  excepted)  to  trade  or  traffic  with  any  of  the 
five  nations  of  Indians,  called  the  Senekas,  Cayonges,  Onnondages, 
Oneydes,  and  IMaqueas,  who  live  to  the  westward,  or  with  any  other 
Indian  or  Indians  whatsoever,  within  the  county  of  Albany,  or  to 
the  eastward,  northward  or  westward  thereof,  so  far  as  his  said 
majesty's  dominions  here,  do  or  may  extend,  or  to  have  or  keep  in 
their  houses  or  elsewhere^  any  Indian  goods  or  merchandize,  upon 
the  pain  and  penalty  of  the  forfeiture  and  confiscation  of  such  Indian 
commodities,  whether  the  same  be  beavers,  peltry  or  other  Indian 
commodities,  whatsoever,  except  Indian  corn,  venison,  and  dressed 
deer  skins,  to  trade  for,  and  upon  pain  and  penalty  of  the  forfeiture 
and  confiscation  of  all  such  Indian  goods  and  merchandizes,  as  guns, 
powder,  lead,  duffels,  rum  and  all  other  Indian  goods  and  merchan- 
dize, which  shall  at  any  time  hereafter  be  found,  concealed,  or  kept 
in  any  house  or  place  without  the  walls  of  the  said  city,  and  within 
the  said  county  of  Albany,  and  the  other  limits  and  boundaries 
herein  before  set  forth  and  prescribed ;  and  in  case  any  person  or 
persons  whatsoever  shall  at  any  time  hereafter,  out  of  the  walls  of 
the  said  city,  and  within  the  said  county,  or  the  other  limits  and 
boundaries  herein  before  set  forth  and  prescribed,  trade  or  traffic 
with  any  Indian  or  Indians,  for  any  beavers,  peltry,  or  other  Indian 
commodities,  (except  before  excepted)  or  there  shall  conceal  and 
keep  any  Indian  goods,  wares  or  merchandizes  in  any  house  or  place 
as  aforesaid  ;  then  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  mayor,  recorder, 
or  any  of  the  aldermen  for  the  time  being,  by  warrant  under  their 
or  any  of  their  hands,  to  cause  such  Indian  commodities,  so. traded 
for,  and  such  goods  or  merchandizes  so  kept  and  concealed  without 
the  walls  of  the  said  city,  wheresoever  they  shall  be  found  within 
the  said  city  or  county,  or  without  the  same,  within  the  limits  and 
boundaries  before  expressed,  to  be  seized,  and  the  same  to  be  con- 


CHARTER,  105 

demned  and  confiscate,  in  the  court  of  picas,  or  common  pleas  in 
the  said  city,  or  any  other  court  of  record  within  the  said  city  or 
province,  one  third  part  to  the  mayor  of  the  said  city  for  the  time 
being,  one  third  part  to  such  person  or  persons  as  shall  inform  or 
sue  for  the  same,  and  the  other  third  part  to  the  use  of  the  mayor, 
aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  and  their  suc- 
cessors forever.  And  also,  that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and 
for  the  mayor,  recorder  and  aldermen  of  the  said  city  for  the  time 
being,  by  a  warrant  under  their  or  any  of  their  hands  and  seals, 
to  cause  such  person  or  persons,  as  shall  presume  to  trade  or  traffic 
with  the  Indians  contrary  to  the  form  and  effect  of  these  presents, 
to  be  apprehended  w^herever  they  shall  be  found,  within  the  limits 
and  boundaries  herein  before  prescribed,  to  answer  the  same  at  the 
court  of  pleas  and  common  pleas  in  the  said  city,  or  any  other  court 
of  record  within  the  said  city  or  province,  where  being  legally  con- 
victed thereof,  such  person  or  persons,  over  and  besides  the  for- 
feiture and  confiscation  of  such  goods,  merchandizes  and  commodi- 
ties as  aforesaid,  shall  be  fineable,  and  fined  in  such  sum  or  sums  of 
money,  (not  exceeding  twenty  pounds,  current  money  of  this 
country)  as  at  the  discretion  of  such  court,  before  whom  he  or  they 
shall  be  prosecuted,  shall  be  thought  reasonable  and  convenient ; 
which  said  fines  shall  be  one-third  part  to  the  person  who  shall 
inform  and  prosecute  for  the  same,  and  the  other  two-thirds  to  the 
use  of  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty,  and  their  successors 
forever. 

And  further,  I  do  by  these  presents,  for  and  on  behalf  of  his  said 
majesty,  his  heirs  and  successors,  grant  and  declare  to  the  said 
mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  Albany,  and  their  successors, 
that  his  majesty,  his  heirs  and  successors,  nor  any  of  his  or  their 
governors,  lieutenants,  commanders  in  chief,  or  other  officers,  shall 
not,  or  will  not,  from  henceforth  forever,  hereafter,  grant  unto  any 
person  or  persons  whatsoever,  any  license  or  licenses,  to  hunt  within 
the  said  county  of  Albany,  or  to  the  eastward,  northward  or  west- 
ward, so  far  as  his  said  majesty's  dominions  here,  doth,  or  may  ex- 
tend, without  the  consent  and  approbation  of  the  mayor,  aldermen 
and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  for  the  time  being,  by 
the  said  person  or  persons  first  to  be  had  and  obtained. 

And  further,  I  do,  by  these  presents,  for  his  said  majesty,  and  his 
successors,  grant  to  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of 
the  said  city,  that  they  and  their  successors  be  forever,  persons  able 
and  capable,  and  shall  have  power  to  purchase,  have,  take  and  pos- 
sess in  fee  simple,  lands,  tenements,  rents,  and  other  possessions, 
within  or  without  the  same  city,  to  them  and  their  successors  forever, 
so  as  the  same  exceed  not  the  yearly  value  of  one  thousand  pounds 
per  annum,  the  statute  of  mortmoin,  or  any  other  law^  to  the  con- 


I06  CHARTER. 

trary  notwithstanding ;  and  the  same  lands,  tenements,  heredita 
nients  and  premises,  or  any  part  thereof  to  demise,  grant,  lease,  set 
over,  assign  and  dispose  at  their  own  will  and  pleasure,  and  to  make, 
seal,  and  accomplish  any  deed  or  deeds,  lease  or  leases,  evidences  or 
writings  for  or  concerning  the  same  or  any  part  thereof,  which  shall 
happen  to  be  made  and  granted  by  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and 
commonalty  of  the  said  city  for  the  time  being. 

And  further,  for  and  on  behalf  of  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs  and 
successors.  I  do,  by  these  presents,  grant  to  the  said  mayor,  aldermen 
and  commonalty,  that  they  and  their  successors  shall  and  may  for- 
ever hereafter,  hold  and  keep  within  the  said  city,  in  every  week  in 
the  year,  two  market  days,  the  one  upon  Wednesday,  and  the  other 
upon  Saturday,  weekly  forever. 

And  also,  I  do  by  these  presents,  for  and  on  behalf  of  his  said 
majesty,  his  heirs  and  successors,  grant  to  the  said  mayor,  aldermen 
and  commonalty  of  the  said  city,  that  they  and  their  successors  and 
assigns  shall  and  may  at  any  time  or  times  hereafter,  build  a  public 
weigh-house  in  such  part  of  the  said  city,  as  to  them  shall  seem  con- 
venient ;  and  that  they  the  said  mayor,  aldermen,  and  commonalty 
shall  and  may  receive,  perceive,  and  take  to  their  own  proper  use 
and  behoof  all  and  singular  the  issues  and  profits  therefrom  or 
thereby  arising  or  accruing ;  as  also,  that  they  the  said  mayor,  alder- 
men and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  their  heirs  and  suc- 
cessors, shall  and  may  at  any  time  or  times  hereafter,  when  it  to 
them  shall  seem  fit  and  convenient,  to  take  in,  fill  and  make  up,  and 
lay  out  all  and  singular  the  ground  and  lands  within  the  limits  and 
precinct  of  the  said  city,  and  the  same  to  build  upon  and  make  use 
of  in  other  manner  or  way  as  to  them  shall  seem  fit,  as  far  into  the 
river  that  passeth  by  the  same  as  low  water  mark  aforesaid. 

And  further,  and  on  behalf  of  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs  and  suc- 
cessors. I  do,  by  these  presents,  give  and  grant  unto  the  aforesaid 
mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  and 
their  successors,  that  they  and  their  successors,  shall  and  may  have, 
hold  and  keep  within  the  said  city,  liberties  and  precincts  thereof, 
once  every  fortnight  in  every  year  forever,  upon  Tuesday,  one  court 
of  common  pleas  for  all  actions  of  debt,  trespass  upon  the  case, 
detinue,  ejectment,  and  other  personal  actions,  and  the  same  to  be 
held,  before  the  mayor,  recorder  and  aldermen,  or  any  three  of  them, 
r whereof  the  mayor  or  recorder  to  be  one,)  who  shall  have  power  to 
hear  and  determine  the  same  pleas  and  actions,  accordingly  to  the 
rules  of  common  law,  acts  of  the  general  assembly  of  the  said 
province,  and  the  course  of  other  corporations  in  the  like  nature. 

And  further,  for  and  on  the  behalf  of  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs 
and  successors.  I  do.  by  these  presents,  give  and  grant  to  the  said 
mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  and 


CHARTER.  107 

their  successors  forever,  that  the  mayor  of  the  said  city  for  the  time 
being,  shall  and  may  determine  all  and  all  manner  of  actions,  or 
causes  whatsoever,  to  be  had,  moved  or  depending  between  party 
and  party,  so  always  as  the  same  exceed  not  the  value  of  forty 
shillings,  current  money  of  this  province. 

And  further,  for  and  on  behalf  of  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs  and 
successors,  I  do  grant  to  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty 
of  the  said  city,  and  their  successors  forever,  that  the  mayor,  recorder 
and  aldermen  of  the  said  city  shall  always  be,  so  long  as  they  shall 
continue  in  their  said  respective  offices  justices  of  the  peace  for  the 
said  county,  and  as  such  shall  and  may  sit  in  the  courts  of  sessions, 
or  county  courts,  and  courts  of  oyer  and  terminer,  that  shall  from 
time  to  time  be  held  and  kept  within  the  said  county ;  and  that  the 
mayor,  recorder,  or  some  one  of  the  aldermen  of  the  said  city  for 
the  time  being,  shall  and  may  always  preside  in  or  be  president  of 
such  county  courts,  or  courts  of  sessions,  to  be  held  within  the  said 
county,  as  aforesaid,  and  that  the  sheriff  of  the  said  city  for  the 
time  being,  shall  always  be  sheriff  of  the  said  county ;  also  that  the 
town  clerk  of  the  said  city  for  the  time  being,  shall  always  be  the 
clerk  of  the  peace,  and  clerk  of  the  court  of  sessions,  or  county 
courts  for  the  said  county. 

And  further,  I  do,  for  and  on  behalf  of  his  said  majesty,  his  heirs 
and  successors,  by  these  presents  grant  to  the  said  mayor,  aldermen 
and  commonalty  of  the  said  city  of  Albany,  and  their  successors. 
that  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  said  city,  and 
their  successors,  shall  have  and  enjoy  all  the  privileges,  franchises, 
and  powers  that  they  have  and  use,  or  that  any  of  their  predecessors, 
at  any  time  within  the  space  of  twenty  years  last  past,  had,  took,  or 
enjoyed,  or  ought  to  have  had,  by  reason,  or  under  pretence  of  any 
further  charter,  grant,  prescription,  or  any  other  right,  custom 
or  usage,  although  the  same  have  been  forfeit  or  lost,  or  hath  been 
ill  used,  or  not  used,  or  abused,  or  discontinued,  albeit  they  be  not 
particularly  mentioned  herein ;  and  no  officer  shall  disturb  them 
therein,  under  any  pretence  whatsoever,  not  only  for  their  future, 
but  their  present  enjoyment  thereof,  provided  always,  that  the  said 
privileges,  franchises  and  powers  be  not  inconsistent  with,  or  re- 
pugnant to  the  laws  of  his  majesty's  kingdom  of  England,  or  other 
the  laws  of  the  General  Assembly  as  aforesaid,  and  saving  to 
his  majesty,  his  heirs,  successors  and  assigns,  and  his  commanders 
in  chief,  lieutenants,  governors  and  other  officers  under  him  or  thenj 
in  his  Fort  Albany,  in  or  by  the  city  of  Albany,  and  in  all  the 
liberties,  boundaries,  extents  and  privileges  thereof,  for  the  main- 
tenance of  the  said  fort  and  garrison  there,  all  the  right,  use,  title 
and  authority,  which  his  said  majesty,  or  any  of  his  said  command- 
ers-in-chief, lieutenants^  and  other  officers  have  had,  used  or  exer- 


I08  CHARTER. 

cised  there,  (excepting  the  said  pasture  herein  before  granted,  or 
mentioned  to  be  granted,  to  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  common- 
alty of  the  city  of  Albany,  aforesaid,)  and  saving  to  all  other 
persons,  bodies  politic  and  corporate,  their  heirs  successors  and 
assigns,  all  such  right,  title  and  claim,  possessions,  rents,  services, 
commons,  emoluments  and  interest,  of  in  and  to  any  thing  that  is 
theirs,  save  only  the  franchises  aforesaid,  in  as  ample  manner  as 
if  this  charter  had  not  been  made. 

And  further,  I  do  appoint  and  declare,  that  the  incorporation 
to  be  founded  by  this  charter  shall  not  at  any  time  hereafter  do  or 
suffer  to  be  done,  anything  by  which  the  lands,  tenements  or 
hereditaments,  stock,  goods,  or  chattels  thereof,  or  in  the  hands, 
custody  or  possession  of  any  of  the  citizens  of  the  said  city,  such  as 
have  been  set,  let,  given,  granted,  or  collected,  to  and  for  pious  and 
charitable  uses,  shall  be  wasted  or  misemployed,  contrary  to  the 
trust  or  intent  of  the  founder  or  giver  thereof.  And  that  such,  and 
no  other  constructions  shall  be  made  hereof,  than  that  which  may 
tend  most  to  advance  religion,  justice  and  the  public  good,  and  to 
suppress  all  acts  and  contrivances  to  be  invented  or  put  in  use  con- 
trary thereunto.  In  witness  whereof,  I  have  to  these  presents  set  my 
hand,  and  thereto  have  afifixed  the  seal  of  the  said  province,  and 
caused  the  same  to  be  enrolled  in  the  secretary's  office  of  the  said 
province  this  two  and  twentieth  day  of  July,  in  the  second  year  of  his 
said  majesty's  reign,  and  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  six 
hundred  and  eighty  and  six. 

THOMAS  DONGAN. 


No.  1. 


prt^r  B^rlfUQbr. 


July  22,  1686  — Oct.  13.  1694- 


No.  I. 
PIETER  SCHUYLER. 

Date  of  office:     July  22,  1686-October  13,  1694. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  Thomas  Dongan. 

Date  of  birth:     September  17,  1657. 

Place  of  birth:     Rensselaerswyck. 

Parents:    Philip  Pieterse  (S.)  and  IMargaret  Van  Slechtenhorst. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     (a)   Engeltie  Van  Schaick  (d.  1689). 
(b)   Maria  Van  Rensselaer. 

Date:     (a)   Rensselaerswyck,  1681. 

(b)   Rensselaerswyck,  September  14,  1691. 

Children:  (8-4  s.  4  d.)  ^largarita  (b.  1682,  m.  Robert  Livingston, 
Jun.,  I2th  Mayor),  Philip  (1684,  d.  y.),  Anna  (1686.  d.  aet. 
12  years),  Gertruj  (1689,  d.  y.).  (b)  Gertruj  (b.  1694,  m. 
Johannes  Lansing),  Philip  (b.  1696,  m.  Margarita  Schuyler), 
Pieter  (b.  1698,  m.  Catherine  Groesbeck),  Jeremiah. (b.  1698, 
twin,  m.  Susanna ). 

Residence:  East  side  Market  street  (Broadway)  south  of  Yonkers 
street  (State)  to  river;  also  "The  Flatts." 

Occupation:     Political  ofBces  and  militia.     Merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     February  19,  1724. 

Place  of  death:     The  Flatts  (West  Troy— Water vliet). 

Place  of  burial:     In  Dutch  Church,  on  February  22d. 

Title:     Colonel. 

Remarks:  Courageous  and  good  organizer.  Major  and  Colonel  of 
militia  in  King  William's  w^ar.  Member  of  the  Provincial 
Assembly.  Indian  Commissioner.  Ex-ofificio  Vice-Governor. 
Appointed  Lieutenant  of  cavalry  by  Governor  Dongan,  ]\Iarch, 
1685.  Appointed  Judge,  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  by 
Dongan,  April,  1685.  Justice  of  the  Peace,  October,  1685. 
He  was  the  "  Quidor  "  of  the  Indians,  much  trusted  by  them, 
and,  accompanied  by  Col.  Nicholson,  escorted  five  Mohawk 
sachems  to  the  court  of  Queen  Anne,  sailing  December,  1709, 
returning  May  8,  1710. 


I.     PIETER  SCHUYLER. 

i686-i6g4. 

From  a  photograph  made  by  Col.  Augustus  Pruyn  of  Albany,  from  the  oil 

painting  owned  in  1886  by  John  C.  Schuyler  of  Watervliet  and  in  1904  owned  by 

his  children  at  The  Fiatts.     Painted  at  London.  1710,  by  order  of  Queen  Anne. 


No.  I.  PIETER   SCHUYLER.  Ill 

1686. 


1686. 

Albany  becomes  a  city,  being  granted  a  charter  by  Colonel  Thomas 
Dongan,  Governor-General  of  the  Province  of  New  York  under 
authority  of  King  James  II.,  of  England,  July  22. 

-"  Pieter  Schuyler,  gent,  and  Robt.  Livingston,  gent.,  who  were  com- 
missionated  by  ye  towne  of  Albanie  to  goe  to  New  Yorke  and 
procure  ye  Charter  for  this  citty  wh  was  agreed  upon  between 
ye  magistrates  and  ye  right  honl  Col.  Tho.  Dongan,  Gov. 
Genii.,"  having  brought  the  same  along  with  them,  it  is  "  pub- 
lished with  all  ye  joy  and  acclamation  imaginable  ;  and  ye  said 
two  gent'm  received  ye  thanks  of  ye  magistrates  and  burgesses 
for  their  diligence  and  care  in  obtaining  ye  same,"       July  22. 

Pieter  Schuyler  is  "  appointed  and  commissionated  to  be  Mayor  and 
Clerk  of  ye  market  and  Coroner  of  ye  citty  of  Albany  as  also 
Coroner  for  ye  sd  county,"  and  takes  the  oath  of  office  of 
IMayor  as  administered  by  one  of  the  justices  of  the  peace  for 
the  county  of  Albany,  the  ordained  aldermen  also  being  sworn 
in,  as  were  Robert  Livingston  as  town-clerk  and  Richard 
Pretty  as  sheriff  and  James  Parker  as  marshal,  July    22. 

Municipal  officers  enumerated  by  the  charter  include :  Mayor,  re- 
corder, chamberlain  or  treasurer,  six  aldermen,  six  assistant 
aldermen,  town-clerk,  sherifif,  coroner,  clerk  of  market,  high 
constable,  three  sub-constables  and  a  marshal  or  sergeant- 
at-mace,  July  22. 

Charter,  Common  Council:  Dirck  Wesselse  (tenBroeck),  Johannis 
Wendell,  I.  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  Levinus  van  Schaick,  II. 
David  Schuyler,  Adrian  Gerritse,  III.  July  22. 

Governor  Dongan  names  the  first  civic  officers :  ^layor,  Pieter 
Schuyler ;  Recorder,  Isaac  Swinton ;  Town-clerk,  Robert  Liv- 
ingston ;  Chamberlain,  Jan  Becker ;  Sheriff,  Richard  Pretty ; 
Marshal,  James  Parker;  Aldermen.  Dirck  Wesselse  (Ten 
Broeck) ,  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  David  Schuyler,  Johannes  Wen- 
dell, Adrian  Geritse,  Levinus  Van  Schaick;  Assistant  Alder- 
men, Joachim  Staats,  John  Lansingh,  Isaac  Verplanck,  Law- 
rence van  Ale,  Albert  Ryckman,  Melgert  Wynantse,     July  22. 

Boundaries  of  the  City  of  Albany  as  set  forth  in  the  Dongan 
Charter :  "  On  the  east  by  Hudson's  River,  so  farr  as  low  water 
mark;  *  *  *  the  south,  by  a  line  *  *  *  drawne  from  the 
southermost  end  of  the  Pasture  at  the  north  end  of    *    *    * 


112  PIETER   SCHUYLER.  No.  I. 

1686. 


Martin  Garetson's  Island,  runneing  back  into  the  woods  sixteen 
English  miles  due  Northwest  to  a  certain  kill  or  creek  called  the 
Sand-kill ;  on  the  North  *  *  *  by  a  line  *  *  *  drawne  from 
the  post  that  was  sett  by  Governor  Stuyvesant  near  Hudsons 
river,  runneing  likewise  Northwest  sixteen  English  miles ;  and 
on  the  west  by  a  straight  line  *  *  '^-  drawne  from  the  points 
of  the  said  South  and  North  lines,"  July  22. 

Court  of  Common  Pleas  established  in  Albany  county  by  Charter, 

July  22. 

Water  furnished  the  city  through  long  logs  bored  with  a  two-inch 
hole,  from  a  pond  created  at  the  head  of  Yonkers  (State)  street 
by  a  dam,  and  called  the  "  Fountain,"  whence  it  is  distributed 
to  a  city  well  in  each  of  the  three  wards,  August. 

Island  south  of  the  city  boundary  known  as  Martin  Gerritsen's 
Island  at  this  time  ;  but  later  becomes  A^an  Rensselaer  Island, 

August. 

Mayor  Pieter  Schuyler  and  Common  Council  hold  first  session, 
among  the  minutes  recorded  appearing  the  following  trans- 
action:  "The  court  of  (the)  mayor  and  aldermen  having 
considered  ye  case  of  ye  negroe  of  Myndert  Frederikse  called 
Hercules,  who  hath  stole  a  chest  of  wampum  belonging  to  ye 
poor  of  ye  Lutheran  parich  out  of  ye  house  of  his  master, 
where  he  went  in  at  night  throw  ye  window,  all  which  he  con- 
fesseth,  and  considering  how  evil  consequence  it  is  and  how 
bad  example  it  is  for  ye  negers,  the  court  have  ordered  ye  sd 
neger  Hercules  to  be  whipt  throw  ye  towne  att  ye  cart  tale 
by  ye  hands  of  ye  hangman  forthwith,  for  an  example  to  oyrs, 
and  his  master  to  pay  ye  costs," 

Common  Council,  looking  to  a  quorum  and  prompt  attendance, 
orders  that  any  member  that  shall  "  be  absent  at  ye  second  ring- 
ing of  ye  bell,  being  in  town,  at  any  common  council  day," 
should   forfeit  six  shillings    (toties  quoties),  Sept.    ii. 

Common  Council  orders  High  Constable  Isaac  Verplanck  to  replace 
the  "  rotted  spouts "  that  convey  water  from  "  ye  fountain 
from  ye  hill  into  ye  city,"  *  *  *  "  in  ye  space  of  a  fortnight  " 
or  forfeit  40  shillings,  Sept.  14. 

To  defray  expense  of  securing  the  Dongan  charter,  the  Common 
Council  orders  sale  of  "  some  lotts  of  grounds  upon  ye  Plain 
lying  on  ye  south  side  of  ye  citty  for  gardens,  as  also  ye 
land  lying  on  both  sides  of  Ruttenkill  for  two  pastures,"  Oct.  26. 

Common  Council  appoints  Dirck  Wesselse  and  Robert  Livingston 
to  go  "  with  two  other  fitt  persons  "  to  inspect  the  "tract  of 
land  above  Schinnechtady,  upon  ye  Maquaas  river  "  for  purpose 
of  purchase  from  the  Mohawk  Indians,  Oct.  26. 


ALBANY'S  FIRST  SEAL. 

This  is  the  design  of  the  first  seal  that 
was  officially  employed  by  the  mayor  when 
authorizing  important  documents.  In  1752 
it  was  superseded  by  one  showing  a  beaver 
and  date. 


No.   I.  PIETER    SCHUYLER.  II3 

1686-1687. 

Ordinance  prohibiting  people  from  watering  horses  from  the  pail 
hanging-  at  any  city  well  or  fountain,  November. 

Ordinance  prohibiting  cartmen  to  "  fetch  or  digg  any  sand  on  ye 
north  side  of  ye  Schenncchtady  path,"  because  so  much  had 
already  been  removed  at  the  old  burying-ground  as  to  expose 
cofifins  to  view,  November. 

Law  to  compel  strangers  to  add  their  names  to  the  mayor's  list 
within   40   days,    or    the    constable    to    be    fined    20    shillings, 

November. 

All  tavern-keepers  required  to  give  constable  knowledge  of  name 
of  any  guest  who  shall  lodge  therein  two  days,  and  explain  the 
business  of  such  person  in  the  city,  November. 

Carmen  to  "  repair  the  breaches  in  the  streets  and  highways  " 
gratis,  and  no  negro  or  slave  to  "  drive  any  carte  within  this 
citty  under  the  penaltye  of  Twenty  shillings  to  be  paid  by  the 
owner,"  November. 

Van  Rensselaer  family  releases  all  title  to  vacant  lands  within  cor- 
porate limits  of  new  city  as  fixed  by  charter,  portions  of  which 
land  are  sold  "  att  a  publike  vendu  or  outcry  in  ye  Citty  Hall," 

Dec.    I. 

Seal  of  the  city  in  use  (as  found  two  hundred  years  later  on  docu- 
ments) and  affixed  to  deeds,  December. 


1687. 


John  Caspers  commits  the  first  murder  in  the  city  of  Albany,  killing 
a  negro  girl. 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  son  of  the  second  Patroon,  Johannes  Van 
Rensselaer  (who  never  came  to  America)  having  settled  at 
Albany  and  married  his  cousin,  Anna  (daughter  of  Jeremiah 
Van  Rensselaer)  dies,  without  children,  Feb.  22. 

Governor  Dongan  seeks  to  prevent  the  French-Canadian  priests 
from  drawing  the  Indians  away  from  Albany  to  Canada, 
whither  seven  hundred  had  been  led  from  Albany,  to  the  pre- 
judice of  the  government,  by  procuring  "  a  peace  of  Land 
called  Sarachtague  lying  upon  Hudsons  river  about  forty 
miles  above  Albany,"  February. 

Ordered  by  the  Common  Council  "  that  there  be  a  pounde  made 
upon  ye  plain  for  ye  use  of  this  citty  "^^  *  '^  to  put  all  horses, 
cattle,  hoggs  and  sheep  therein,"  April  11. 


114  PIETER   SCHUYLER.  No.  I. 

1687-1688. 

Common  Council  orders  "  yt  ye  sergeants  of  ye  respective  com- 
panies goe  about  to  raise  a  half  years  sellary  for  ye  ratel 
watch,"  June  14. 

On  information  that  the  French  make  preparations  to  exterminate 
the  Five  Nations,  the  governor  orders  the  mayor  to  bring  the 
wives,  old  men  and  children  of  the  ^Mohawks  down  into  Albany 
for  the  winter,  September. 

Gov.  Dongan  helps  defense  of  Albany  by  ordering  "  Every  tenth 
man  of  all  ye  Militia  troupes  &  Companys  within  the  Province 
Except  those  who  were  out  ye  last  yeare  a  whaling  be  Drawn 
out  to  go  up  thither,"  September. 

Gov.  Dongan  arrives  at  Albany  to  take  charge  of  troops,      October. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Hendrick  Cuyler,  Johannis 
Wendell,  I.  Levinus  van  Schaick,  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  II. 
David  Schuyler,  Albert  Ryckman,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in^  Oct.  14. 

First  deed  of  land,  executed  to  Godfriedus  Dellius,  Nov.  i. 

Beaver-skins  annually  exported  reduced  in  number  from  40,000 
to  9,000. 


1688. 


Birth,  in  Ireland,  of  Cadwallader  Colden,  celebrated  as  physician, 
botanist,  astronomer,  historian,  and  who  becomes  later  on  the 
Governor  of  New  York  province,  Feb.   17. 

Gov.  Dongan  writes  to  Earl  of  Sutherland  from  Albany,  he  being 
president  of  his  majesty's  privy  council,  "  I  have  been  here  all 
this  winter  with  four  hundred  foote  and  fifty  horse  and  Eight 
Hundred  Indians ;"  speaks  of  heavy  expense,  and  fears  "  when 
I  come  to  N.  Yorke  to  impose  another  Tax  upon  ye  people  " 
they  will  depart  for  other  plantations,  Feb.  19. 

Governor  Dongan  returns  from  Albany  to  New  York,         ]\Iarch. 

Governor  Dongan  recalled  by  King  James  II.,  April  22. 

The  expenses  of  troops,  care  of  some  French  prisoners  and  gifts 
to  the  Indians  as  paid  by  Robert  Livingston,  amount  to  about 
$10,335,  of  which  Albany  is  assessed  for  $1,200.  from  Aug. 
II,  1687,  to  June  I. 

Catalyn  Trico  (born  in  Paris  in  1605)  testifies  to  having  been  in 
Albany  in  1623  and  the  first  white  woman  there. 

Sir  Edmond  Andros,  sent  by  King  James  II..  to  be  Governor  of  the 
Province  of  New  York,  arrives  at  New  York  city,  and  begins 
at  once  his  administration  as  successor  of  Governor  Dongan, 

Aug.   II. 


No.  I.  PIETER   SCHUYLER.  II5 

1688. 

Ex-Governor  Thomas  Dongan  refuses  the  offer  of  King  James  to 
make  him  a  major-general,  and  he  retires  to  his  country-seat 
on  Long  Island,  August. 

Gov.  Andros  proceeds  to  Albany  that  he  may  hold  a  conference 
with  the  Indians  in  order  to  draw  them  into  closer  relationship 
with  England  and  alienate  them  from  the  French,  and  the 
sachems  of  the  Five  Nations  hasten  also  to  Albany  to  bid  Gov. 
Andros  welcome,  whereupon  at  their  council  he  is  addressed 
'  by  the  Mohawk  chief,  Sindachsegie,  saying:  "  We  resolved  not 
to  come  slowly ;  but  to  run  with  all  speed  to  see  and  bid  you 
welcome,"  Sept.  i8. 

Gov.  Andros  writes  to  Denonville  that  he  must  release  the  English 
and  Indian  prisoners  taken  in  the  1687  expedition  against  the 
Senecas,  and  placing  Capt.  Jervis  Baxter  in  command  of  Fort 
Albany,  returns  towards  the  end  of  the  month  to  New  York, 

September. 

Francis  Nicholson  begins  his  administration  of  the  Province  of  New 
York,  in  the  absence  of  Gov.  Andros,  under  the  title  of  lieuten- 
ant-governor, Oct.  9. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Johannis  Wendell,  Levinus  van 
Schaick,  II.  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  Jan  Lansingh,  II.  Albert 
Ryckman,  David  Schuyler,  III.     Election^  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 

On  news  of  W^illiam,  Prince  of  Orange,  son-in-law  of  James  XL, 
accepting  invitation  of  the  English  people  to  come  there  to  take 
possession  of  the  throne  and  his  arrival  in  accordance  in  Eng- 
land with  an  army  of  15,000  men,  (King  James  II.  fleeing  to 
France  for  protection)  Gov.  Andros  of  the  Province  of  New 
York  happens  to  be  in  Maine,  and  on  his  return  to  Boston  he  is 
arrested,  later  to  be  sent  to  England,  November. 

Inhabitants  complaining  that  bakers  sell  bread  at  "  dear  rates,"  it 
is  ordered  that  they  "  take  no  more  than  one  penny,  half  penny 
or    five    stuyvers    zewant    for    a    loaf    of    fine    white    bread," 

December. 

Law  passed  fining  anyone  who  shall  cut  down  any  part  of  the 
stockade  ten  shillings,  December. 

On  complaint  that  people  use  the  town  ladders,  so  that  few  are 
found  in  time  of  fire,  "  ye  fyremasters  "  are  required  to  see 
"  yt  in  some  convenient  place  of  each  ward,"  there  be  "  at 
least  2  good  ladders  of  25  foot,  and  2  of  15  foot  with  iron 
hooks  fast  to  ye  ladders  and  2  fyrehooks,"  making  12  ladders 
and  6  hooks  in  each  of  the  three  wards,  December. 


Il6  PIETER   SCHUYLER.  No.  I. 

1689. 


1689. 


Population  of  Albany  county  2,016;  consisting  of  662  men,  340 
women,  1,014  children,  January. 

Chevalier  Hector  de  Callieres  Bonnevue,  the  Governor  of  Mon- 
treal, planning  for  the  French  occupation  of  the  Province  of 
New  York,  writes  to  Marquis  de  Seignelay :  "  The  plan  is  to  go 
directly  to  Orange  (Albany),  the  most  advanced  town  of  New 
York,  one  hundred  leagues  from  Montreal  (230  miles)  which 
I  would  undertake  to  get  possession  of  and  to  proceed  thence 
to  seize  Manathe  (New  York  city)  the  capital  of  that  colony 
situated  on  the  seacoast ;  on  condition  of  being  furnished  with 
supplies  necessary  for  the  success  of  the  expedition.  *  *  *  j 
hope  to  seize  in  passing  some  English  villages  and  settlements 
where  I  shall  find  provisions  and  the  conveniences  for  attacking 
the  town  of  Orange.  This  town  is  about  as  large  as  Montreal, 
surrounded  by  pickets,  at  one  end  of  which  is  a  fort  of  earth  de- 
fended by  palisades,  and  has  four  bastians.  There  is  a  garrison 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  of  three  companies  in  the  fort 
and  some  pieces  of  cannon.  The  town  of  Orange  may  contain 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  houses  and  three  hundred  inhab- 
itants capable  of  bearing  arms,  the  majority  of  whom  are  Dutch, 
besides  a  number  of  French  refugees  and  some  English  people," 

January. 

Anthony  Lespinard  appointed  by  the  Mayor  viewer  of  corn,  Jan.  15. 

Mayor  Pieter  Schuyler  writes  to  Lieut. -Gov.  Nicholson  that  the 
Indians  are  very  jealous  and  suspicious  of  the  news  and  pro- 
ceedings, and  there  would  be  grave  cause  of  mischief  if  these 
suspicions  were  not  relieved ;  to  which  the  latter  replies  that  the 
report  of  serious  trouble  over  the  crown  and  religious  matters 
in  England  was  utterly  false,  and  he  should  assure  them  of  the 
friendship  of  the  English  by  presenting  each  Nation  with  a 
barrel  of  powder  The  people  of  Albany,  in  ignorance  of  the 
fomenting  revolution  in  England  and  the  purpose  of  the  French 
king,  feel  great  uneasiness.  January. 

Gov.  Nicholson  instructed  by  the  Crown  to  employ  at  Albany  only 
British-educated  school-teachers,  Jan.  31. 

Hendrick  Van  Rensselaer,  who  built  Fort  Crailo  (supposedly  about 
1642)  at  Greenbush,  marries  Catrina  Van  Brugh,  the  grand- 
daughter of  Anneke  Jans,  owner  of  the  Trinity  Church  property 
in  New  Amsterdam   (New  York  city),  March  8. 


No.  I.  PIETER   SCHUYLER.  II7 

1689. 

News  of  the  French  declaring  war  against  England  causes  Lieut. - 
Gov.  Nicholson  to  guard  Fort  James  at  New  York  with  militia 
under  Col.  Nicholas  Bayard,  April  ■z'j. 

Instructions  sent  to  the  officials  of  Albany  "  recommending  them 
to  keep  the  people  in  peace,"  and  the  militia  "  well  exercised 
and  equipped,"  April  30. 

Capt.  Jonathan  Bull  of  Connecticut  arrives  at  Albany  to  make  a 
league  wuth  the  Five  Nations,  and  Mayor  Pieter  Schuyler  ex- 
presses belief  that  if  the  citizens  heard  the  news  of  the  day 
( regarding  the  proposed  attack  by  the  French  from  the  north 
and  the  trouble  between  France  and  England),  "  it  wolde  make 
them  run  all  madd/'  May  18. 

Leader  of  the  Maquaas  Indians  renews  peace  covenant,  saying  to 
Captain  Bull :  "  Breatheren,  we  are  now  com  as  our  grand- 
fathers used  to  doe,  to  renew  our  unity  &  friendship  and 
couenant  made  between  us  &  you.  We  desier  yt  this  house 
being  the  couenant  &  proposition  house  (the  City  Hall),  may 
be  kept  clean,  yt  is,  yt  we  may  keep  a  clean,  single,  not  a 
double  heart.  We  do  renue  the  former  couenant  or  chain 
yt  has  been  made  bet\\  een  us  &  you,  yt  is  to  say.  New  England, 
Vergenia,  Mereland,  &  all  these  parts  of  America,  yt  it  may  be 
kept  bright  on  eauery  side,  yt  it  may  not  rust  nor  be  for- 
got," May  24. 

The  citizen-soldiery  working  on  the  fort,  having  awaited  official 
notice  of  a  change  in  the  home  government,  sent  word  to  Lieut. - 
Gov.  Nicholson  by  letter  despatched  by  messenger,  that  they 
intend  to  hold  the  "  fort  for  the  Power  that  now  governeth 
in  England,"  and  refusing  to  obey  the  Council  or  the  colonel  of 
the  regiment,  demand  the  keys  of  the  fort  and  Nicholson  has 
not  the  courage  to  refuse,  May  31. 

On  Jacob  Leisler's  turn  to  watch  at  the  fort  with  his  company, 
(Fort  James,  New  York  city),  he  enters  with  49  men  and 
resolves  to  hold  it  until  joined  by  all  the  militia,  and  at  once 
the  five  captains  and  about  400  soldiers  place  themselves  under 
his  command,  June  2. 

Jacob  Leisler,  a  captain  of  militia  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 
issues  a  proclamation  that  he  has  assumed  control  of  the  ad- 
ministration in  the  province,  taking  advantage  of  the  uncertainty 
as  to  the  ultimate  result  of  who  shall  be  the  English  sovereign, 
and  states  that  he  will  preserve  the  Protestant  religion,  holding 
the  position  until  the  arrival  of  a  governor  appointed  by  Wil- 
liam, Prince  of  Orange,  June  3. 


I]8  riETER   SCHUYLER.  No.  I. 

1689. 


Citizens  choose  a  committee  of  safety  who  commission  Jacob  Leisler 
"  Captain  of  the  Fort,"  at  New  Amsterdam,  and  prepare  an 
address  to  the  king  pledging  loyalty,  June. 

News  of  the  accession  of  Prince  William  and  Princess  Mary  to 
England's  throne,  brought  by  riders  from  Fort  James  (at  New 
York)  occasions  great  and  manifested  joy  in  Albany,  as  de- 
scribed in  records  of  the  time,  as  follows :  "  The  Proclamation 
for  Proclaiming  there  Majs  King  William  and  Queen  Mary 
King  and  Queen  of  England,  France,  and  Ireland  &c.,  being 
brought  hither  from  N.  Yorke  Imediately  upon  ye  Receit 
thereof  ye  Alayr  &  Recorder  caused  ye  Court  of  Aldermen  and 
Common  Council  to  assemble  who  attended  accordingly  and 
having  considered  of  ye  greatest  Solemnity  yt  could  be  used 
in  so  short  a  Time,  appointed  ye  Citi-zens  to  be  in  arms  about 
2  o'clock  which  having  done  they  went  in  ordr  from  ye  City 
Hall  up  to  there  Majts  Fort  where  there  Majts  were  proclaimed 
in  solemn  manner  in  English  and  Dutch,  ye  gunns  fyreing  from 
ye  fort  &  volley  of  small  arms,  ye  People  with  Loude  acclama- 
tions crying  God  Save  King  Wm.  &  Queen  Mary,  afterwards 
they  marched  doune  to  ye  City  hall  where  there  Majts  were 
again  Proclaimed,  ye  night  Concluding  wth  ye  Ringing  of  ye 
Bell,  Bonefyres,  fyreworks,  and  all  oyr  Demonstrations  of 
joy,  July  I. 

Louis  XIV.,  of  France,  instructs  Louis  de  Buade,  Comte  de  Fron- 
tenac,  to  proceed  to  Canada  and  to  carry  out  the  plans  of 
Chevalier  de  Callieres  regarding  descent  on  Albany  from 
Alontreal,  June  7. 

Inhabitants  of  Albany  unwilling  to  acknowledge  Jacob  Leisler's 
assumption  of  government  of  Province  of  New  York,  the  mun- 
icipal officers,  justices  of  peace  and  military  officers  assemble  in 
convention  and  resolve  :  "  All  public  affairs  for  the  preservation 
of  their  majesties"  interests  "  should  be  managed  by  the  mayor, 
aldermen,  justices  and  other  commissioners  of  city  and  county 
until  the  orders  of  King  William  and  Queen  Mary  are  re- 
ceived, ,       Aug.  I. 

Because  of  fear  of  a  French  invasion,  proclamation  is  issued  that 
no  person  able  to  bear  arms  (except  masters  of  vessels)  be 
allowed  to  go  away  without  a  written  permit  from  a  justice  of 
peace,  August. 

At  convention  in  City  Hall  it  is  resolved  that  Captain  Leisler  at 
New  York  be  requested  to  send  speedily  one  hundred  men  and 
munitions  to  protect  Albany,  Sept.  4. 

Messenger  returns  from  Capt.  Leisler  and  reports  to  convention 
that  he   disclaims   any  civil   power  and  had   sent  a   letter  to 


No.  I.  PIETER   SCIIUVLKR.  II9 

1689. 

Captains  Johannes  Wendell  and  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  informing 
them  that  he  had  sent  four  small  guns  and  two  hundred  pounds 
of  powder,  and  he  wished  Albany  to  send  two  persons  to 
represent  the  city  in  government,  Sept.  7. 

Charter  election  Common  Council :  Johannis  Wendell,  Levinus  van 
Schaick,  I.  Claes  Ripse  van  Dam,  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker.  II. 
David  Schuyler,  Albert  Ryckman,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Lieut.  Sharpe  and  soldiers  in  the  fort  take  oath  of  allegiance  to  King 
William  and  Queen  ]\Iary,  Oct.  19. 

Inhabitants  of  Albany  learning  that  Capt.  Jacob  Leisler  had  been 
declared  commander-in-chief  of  the  Province  of  New  York 
by  his  followers  and  that  he  was  sending  a  company  to  possess 
the  fort  at  Albany,  thereupon  reassemble  in  convention,  and 
resolve  to  keep  command  of  the  fort  for  their  majesties,  Wil- 
liam and  Mary,  Oct.  26. 

The  messenger  sent  to  New  Amsterdam  (New  York  city)  to  learn 
what  is  to  be  done  regarding  the  control  of  the  government  of 
the  province,  returns  and  reports  that  Capt.  Leisler  demands 
the  surrender  of  the  city  of  Albany's  Charter  to  him,     October. 

Alderman  \'an  Schaick  having  been  in  New  York  describes  what 
he  saw  and  learned  there,  that  Jacob  Leisler  had  asserted  him- 
self commander-in-chief,  of  the  Province  of  New  York  and 
had  control  of  that  city  as  a  start  and  desired  to  gain  the  same 
unconditional  control  of  Albany,  whereupon  the  bell  in  the 
cupola  of  the  City  Hall,  at  the  northeast  corner  of  So.  IMarket 
street  (Broadway)  and  Hudson  avenue,  is  rung  and  imme- 
diately an  assembly  is  held  there  by  the  city  fathers,  the  con- 
vention determining  that  Mayor  Pieter  Schuyler  be  placed  in 
command  of  the  fort,  with  Lieut.  Sharpe  as  his  subordinate 
officer,  whereupon  the  members  of  the  Council  w^ait  upon  the 
Mayor  and  escort  him  to  the  fort,  which  is  delivered  to 
him,  Nov.  8. 

Three  sloops  reach  Albany,  bearing  troops  under  Jacob  Milborne, 
and  immediately  Captains  Wendell  and  Bleecker,  Johannes 
Cuyler  and  Reynier  Barents  go  aboard  to  learn  the  object  of 
his  visit.  Jacob  Milborne  asks :  "  Is  the  fort  open  to  receive  me 
and  my  men?"  The  reply  is,  "  No,  the  Mayor  is  in  command 
and  will  hold  it."  He  is  disappointed  by  the  resistance  and  be- 
ing invited  to  the  City  Hall  to  call  upon  the  convention,  he 
accepts  the  oflfer  and  inflames  the  people  by  a  long  discourse, 
stating  that  those  things  done  under  the  unlawful  King  James 
II.  (such  as  the  charter)  are  void,  and  that  the  people  should 
choose  new^  civil  and  military  officers.     To  this  Dirck  Wesselse 


I20  PIETER   SCHUYLER.  No.  1. 

1689. 

Ten  Broeck  replies  that  the  inhabitants  will  do  nothing  differ- 
ent until  hearing  from  their  majesties,  and  that  Milborne  had 
no  power  to  order  a  change  of  affairs  at  Albany,  Nov.  9. 

Milborne  marches  his  soldiers  into  the  city  from  Martin  Gerritsen's 
island,  where  they  had  bivouacked,  Nov.    13. 

Milborne  marches  his  men  from  Martin  Gerritsen's  island  to  posi- 
tion before  the  fort  at  the  head  of  the  hill  and  demands  that  the 
gate  be  opened,  to  which  Mayor  Pieter  Schuyler  replies  that  he 
keeps  the  fort  for  William  and  Mary,  and  therefore  commands 
him  to  depart  with  his  seditious  company.  Milborne  secures 
one  foot  within  the  portal  but  is  mightily  thrust  back,  and  the 
gate  closed.  Thereupon  he  withdraws  a  space  that  his  men  may 
with  safety  load.  On  his  second  approach  a  protest  is  read 
from  the  bastian.  A  band  of  Mohawk  Indians  encamped  a 
short  distance  to  the  north  (site  of  Academy  park)  fearing 
danger  is  intended  to  their  friends,  declare  intention  to  fire 
upon  Milborne's  army  unless  he  departs.  Pieter  Schuyler  at 
once  sends  Rev.  Dr.  Dellius  to  pacify  them,  but  is  told  that  if 
Milborne  does  not  leave  the  place  and  intends  to  pitch  battle 
with  the  Albanians,  the  Mohawks  will  do  their  best  to  annihilate 
them.  When  Milborne  hears  this  he  marches  his  men  to  the 
three  sloops,  leaving  a  company  under  command  of  Joachim 
Staats,  a  brother  of  Dr.  Samuel  Staats,  a  Leisler  sympathiser, 
and  sets  sail  for  New  York,  Nov.  15. 

Captain  Bull  arrives  with  his  company  of  87  men  from  Connecticut, 
is  rousingly  received,  and  camps  in  the  city,  Nov.  25. 

Lieut.  Talmadge  takes  24  of  Capt.  Bull's  87  Connecticut  men  to 
reinforce  the  garrison  at  Schenectady,  against  attack  by 
French,  Nov.  29. 

Jacob  Leisler,  having  possession  of  the  fort  at  Manhattan,  writes 
to  the  Council  at  Albany  saying  (feignedly)  that  he  had  re- 
ceived orders  from  "  King  William  for  taking  care  of  the 
Government,"  and  by  that  authority  he  commissions  Capt. 
Joachim  Staats  to  take  over  into  his  charge  and  possession 
Fort  Orange,  and  "  doe  hereby  Order  that  free  Elections  be 
forthwith  made  for  a  Mayor  and  Aldermen  whom  I  have 
Signified  to  Capt.  Staats,"  Dec.  28. 

Report  made  pursuant  to  order  of  Gov.  Fletcher,  shows  in  Albany 
county  662  men,  340  women,   1,014  children,  total  2,016, 

Dec.  31. 

Indians  in  Albany  county  at  this  time,  previous  to  the  conflict, 
number  270  Mohawks,  180  Oneidas,  500  Onondagas,  300  Cay- 
ugas,  1,300  Senecas,  250  River  Indians,  total  2,800,       Dec.  31. 


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Xo.  i.  I'IKTEK    SCHUYLER.  121 

1690. 


1690. 


Captain  \A'endell  presents  Leisler's  letter  of  Dec.  28th  to  the 
Council,  and  that  body  issues  a  ringing  protest  for  trying  to 
disturb  the  community,  resolving  not  to  allow  Joachim  Staats  to 
possess  the  fort,  and  making  much  ridicule  of  the  odd  order  of 
Leisler  to  hold  a  "  free  election, "^yet  voting  by  the  inhabitants 
for  men  "named  by  Leisler,"  Jan.   11. 

The  French  reach  the  trail  leading  to  Corlaer  (Schenectady)  under 
Sieur  Le  Moyne  de  Sainte  Helene  and  Lieut.  Daillebout  de 
jMantet,  and  decide  to  attack  that  place  first,  rather  than  Al- 
bany, with  about  100  men  and  as  many  Indians.  At  11  o'clock, 
it  being  decided  because  of  the  severity  of  the  winter  night  to 
wait  no  longer,  detachments  approach  the  various  city  gates, 
which  through  laxity  were  found  unprotected.  The  village  was 
stockadoed  with  pine  logs  ten  feet  high,  with  gates  at  the  north 
and  south  ends  of  Church  street.  It  is  stated  that  there  were 
within  the  wall  about  eighty  houses  shielding  nearly  four 
hundred  souls.  A  stockade  fort  at  the  north  end  of  Church 
street,  where  it  meets  Front  street,  held  a  garrison  detachment 
of  24  men  of  Capt.  Jonathan  Bull's  Connecticut  company,  under 
Lieut.  Talmadge,  sufficient  to  make  repulse.  The  signal  of 
attack  was  given  Indian  fashion,  when  detachments  were  at 
each  gate,  and  the  torch  was  applied,  everyone  being  killed  by 
the  sword  as  in  midnight  fear  they  rushed  from  their  abodes. 
Only  two  houses  were  standing  at  the  end  of  two  hours, —  that 
of  Sander  Glen,  across  the  jMohawk,  because  of  previous  kind- 
ness shown  to  the  French,  and  of  the  widow  Bratt,  whither 
the  wounded  M.  de  IMontigny  was  carried.  Pieter  Schuyler 
(in  his  letter  of  the  15th,  to  Gov.  Bradstreet  of  ^Massachusetts) 
states :  "  The  whole  village  was  instantly  in  a  Blaze.  Women 
with  child  (were)  riped  open,  and  their  Infants  cast  into  the 
Flames,  or  dashed  against  Posts  of  the  Doors.  Sixty  Persons 
perished  in  the  ]\Iassacre,  and  twenty-seven  were  carried  into 
Captivity.  The  rest  fled  naked  towards  Albany  thro'  a  deep 
Snow  which  fell  that  very  Night  in  a  terrible  Storm;  and 
twenty-five  of  these  Fugitives  lost  their  Limbs  in  the  Flight, 
thro'  the  Severity  of  the  Frost."  It  is  said  the  invaders  lost 
but  one  Frenchman  and  one  Indian  during  the  massacre,  but 
twenty-one  were  lost  on  the  road,  Feb.  8. 


122  PIETER   SCHUYLER.  No.  I. 

1690. 

French  depart  from  Schenectady  at  1 1  o'clock  on  Sunday,  taking  30 
prisoners,  fifty  good  horses  being  seized  to  convey  the  pknider ; 
but  of  these  only  sixteen  were  to  reach  Montreal,  the  others 
being  required  for  food  on  return  march,  Feb.  9. 

Simon  Schermerhorn,  wounded  and  blood-besmeared,  arrives  in  the 
early  morn  at  Albany  on  his  panting  steed,  and  announces  the 
massacre ;  following  him  at  intervals,  other  fugitives  arrive 
from  the  vicinity  of  Schenectady  and  give  the  alarm  that  Albany 
is  to  be  burned  as  was  Schenectady,  with  the  consequence  that 
instead  of  despatching  all  the  militia  at  command  to  help  the 
Mohawk  valley  inhabitants  or  to  pursue  the  French,  they  feel 
impelled  to  make  a  defence  at  home,  and  messengers  are  sent 
on  horse  with  all  speed  to  Kinderhook,  Claverack  and  King- 
ston to  procure  assistance,  Feb.  9. 

Capt.  Bull  takes  a  detail  of  soldiers  from  Albany  companies  to  Cor- 
lear  (Schenectady)  and  inters  the  bloody,  blackened  and  frozen 
bodies,  at  the  same  time,  by  orders  received,  invites  the  Mo- 
hawks to  build  castles  of  defence  at  that  place  and  on  the  island 
(Van  Rensselaer)  for  the  further  protection  of  Albany,  Feb.  9. 

Convention  commissions  Robert  Livingston  and  Capt.  Geret  Teunise 
to  go  to  Alassachusetts  and  Connecticut  to  treat  with  their 
governors  regarding  necessity  of  joining  forces  to  invade 
Canada,  March  2. 

Jacob  Leisler  commissions  Johannes  de  Bruyn,  Johannes  Prevoost 
and  Jacob  Milborne  to  go  to  Albany  with  160  soldiers  to  possess 
Fort  Orange  and  control  King  William's  government,  March  4. 

Leisler's  claim  to  administer  the  government  of  the  province  recog- 
nized by  the  cTty  and  Pieter  Schuyler  allowed  to  retain  office 
of  mayor ;  but  Johannes  Cuyler  is  appointed  town-clerk  instead 
of  Robert  Livingston,  April. 

Leisler  at  council  of  war  in  New  York,  favors  expedition  against 
Canada,  May   i. 

Board  of  Indian  Commissioners  constituted. 

Four  persons  escaping,  who  had  been  taken  prisoners  at  Schenectady, 
arrive  at  Albany  and  relate  terrible  experiences  on  their  jour- 
ney back  with  the  French  to  Canada,  they  subsisting  on  dead 
horses,  eating  mosses  and  bark  of  trees,  June  9. 

The  famous  "  Ballad  "  of  the  burning  of  Schenectady  (twenty 
graphic  stanzas)  composed  by  Walter  Wilie  of  Albany,  June  12. 

Leisler  appoints  his  friend  Miltorne  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
expedition  to  be  raised  by  the  several  provinces  to  invade  Can- 
ada ;  but  the  New  Englanders  of  importance  decry  the  appoint- 
ment for  so  important  a  post  of  one  they  say  is  only  a  trades- 


No.  I.  PIETER   SCIIUVr.EK.  I23 

1690-1691. 

man  of  little  intellis^ence,  and  the  gdverninent  of  Connecticut 
recommends  ]\laj-Gen.  Fitz  John  Winthrop,  to  which  Leisler 
finally  agrees,  June. 

Gen.  Winthrop  arrives  at  Albany  with  his  Connecticut  troops, 
commissioned  to  lead  the  American  forces  against  the  h^rench 
in  Canada,  and  cam|)S  at  the  Schuyler  Flatts,  Watervliet,  north 
of  city,  July  21. 

Gen.  Winthrop.  disgusted  with  the  small  quantity  of  men  for  his 
expedition,  finding  that  the  colonies  had  not  sent  half  of  the 
promised  allotments.  New  York  sending  only  150  of  the  400 
men  promised  by  Leisler,  July  25. 

]\Iaj.-Gen.  AVinthrop  departs  for  Wood  Creek,  at  the  southern  end 
of  Lake  Champlain,  August. 

Gen.  Winthrop  joins  Col.  Pieter  Schuyler  and  his  army  at  the 
"  Great  Carrying  Place  "  (Fort  Edwarcf)  whom  he  finds  busily 
engaged  in  making  bark  canoes  for  the  expedition  through  the 
two  lakes ;  but  much  discouraged  by  reason  of  lack  of  proper 
transportation  for  so  many,  they  hold  a  council  at  which  it  is 
determined  to  return  to  Albany,  first  commissioning  Johannes 
Schuyler  (the  youngest  brother  of  the  Mayor)  a  captain,  who 
proceeds  to  accept  what  militia  will  volunteer  to  join  his  inva- 
sion from  among  the  Dutch  and  Indians,  and  in  the  end  makes  a 
campaign  that  is  successful  in  some  measure,  August. 

Gen.  Winthrop,  being  destitute  of  provisions  for  his  army,  proceeds 
to  return  to  Albany,  the  base  of  supplies,  and  encamps  with 
those  who  accompanied  him   at  (!^reenbush,   opposite  Albany, 

Aug.  21. 

Leisler,  in  exasperation,  hastens  to  Albany  and  imprisons  Winthrop 
along  with  his  officers ;  but  because  of  tumult  thereat  releases 
them,  September. 

Leisler  appoints  Joachim  Staats,  Johannes  Wendell,  Jan  Jansen 
Bleecker.  Pieter  Schuyler  and  Ryer  Jacobse  Schermerhorn  to 
control  city  and  county  government,  Oct.  10. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Johannis  Becker,  Evert  Bancker, 
L  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  Claes  Ripse  van  Dam,  IL  Gerrit 
Ryerse,  Eghbert  Teunise,  IIL     Election,  Sept.  29 ;  sworn  in. 

Oct.  14. 


1691. 


Colonel  Henry  Sloughter  arrives  at  New  York  from  England,  and 
at  once  assumes  the  administration  of  the  Province  of  New 
York,  March  19. 


124  PIETER   SCHUYLER.  No.  I. 

1691. 

Gov.  Slonghter  imprisons  Jacob  Leisler.  and  ends  the  revolt, 

March  20. 

Four  more  of  those  made  captive  at  .Schenectady  massacre  brought 
back  by  a  party  of  Christians  and  Maquaas,  March. 

Dirck  Wesselse  Ten  Broeck  and  Levinus  van  Schaick  from  Albany, 
and  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  from  Rensselaerswyck,  represent 
Albany  in  the  assembly  convened  in  New  York  city,        Apr.  9. 

Assembly  at  New  York  directs  tliat  a  court  of  sessions  be  held  in 
the  City  Hall  at  Albany  on  first  Tuesdays  in  June,  October  and 
February  for  the  "  increase  of  virtue  and  discouraging  of  evil- 
doers," under  one  judge  and  three  justices,  for  the  space  of  two 
days,  April. 

]\Iajor  Pieter  Schuyler  marches  northward  from  Albany,  headed  for 
Montreal,  with  soldiers  and  Indians,  June  21. 

Gov.  Sloughter  visits  Albany,  June  27. 

Gov.  Sloughter  writes  to  governors  of  neighborly  provinces :  "  I 
need  not  relate  unto  you  of  how  great  import  the  preservacon 
of  this  place  (Albany)  is,  being  the  only  bulwark  and  safeguard 
of  all  Their  Alajesty's  plantacons  on  the  main  (coast)  of  Amer- 
ica, and  if,  for  want  of  strength,  the  French  should  assault 
and  gain  Albany  how  farr  your  Government  and  all  the  English 
Colonys  on  both  sides  of  us  would  be  endangered,  you  can 
easily  judge  .  .  .  found  our  Plantacons  and  Schenectady 
almost  ruined.  1  have  garrisoned  Schenectady  and  Halfe 
Moon  with  some  of  the  100  fusileers  raised  by  our  assembly," 

July  II. 

Gov.  Sloughter  dies  suddenly  at  New  York  city,  July  23. 

Maj.  Richard  Ingoldsby  assumes  control  of  afifairs  of  Province  of 
New  York  (with  title  Commander-in-chief),  July  26. 

Maj.  Pieter  Schuyler  attacks  French  settlement.  La  Prairie  de  la 
Madeleine  (near  Montreal),  kills  200,  losing  only  21  of  his 
Albany  militia  and  22  IMohawks,  Aug.  i. 

Bill  dividing  province  into  12  shires  (counties),  and  confirmation 
of  incorporation  of  Albany  county,  Oct.  i. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council:  Levinus  van  Schaick,  Evert 
Bancker,  L  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  Jan  Lansingh,  IL  Gerrit 
Ryerse,  Johannis  Abeel,  IIL     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 

Another  of  the  prisoners  captured  at  Schenectady  massacre  (Feb. 
8,  1690)  is  brought  back  by  an  Oneida  Indian,  who  is 
rewarded  with  "  Duffels  and  Rom "  to  the  amount  of  two 
pounds,  two  shillings,  November. 

Courts  of  Common  Pleas  established  in  all  counties. 


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GOVERNOR  SLOUGHTER'S  COMMISSION. 
William  and  Mary  of  England  on  Jan.  4,  1689,  created  Col.  Henry  Sloughter  "  Captain- 
General  and  Governor-in-Chief  in  and  over  our  Province  of  New  York  and  the  territories 
depending  thereon  in  America."     He  began  administration  as  fourth  English  Governor 
March  19,  1691.     (N.  Y.  State  Library.     27x31  in.") 


No.  I.  PIETER   SCHUYLER.  I25 

1692-1694. 


1692. 

Col.  Benjamin  Fletcher  arrives  from  England  at  New  York  city, 

Aug.  29. 

Col.  Fletcher  begins  his  administration  as  g'overnor  of  Province 
of  New  York,  Aug.  30. 

Robert  Livingston,  who  had  arrived  from  Holland  in  1674,  builds 
his  Manor  House  beside  the  Roelof  Jansen  kil,  near  the  site 
of  Hudson. 

French  invasion  feared  and  houses  built  outside  palisades  as  quar- 
ters for  Indians,  who  are  relied  upon  as  a  defence,     September. 

Soldiers  detailed  at  Schenectady,  Half  Moon  and  Niskayuna  to 
guard  the  fords  in  Mohawk  river,  October. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Levinus  van  Schaick,  Evert 
Bancker,  I.  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  Jan  Lansingh,  H.  Johannis 
Abeel,  Albert  Ryckman,  HI.     Election.  vSept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


1693. 


Allotment  of  560  new  palisades  at  Fort  Orange,  to  be  20  feet  long 
and  12  inches  at  smaller  end,  "of  good  smooth-barked  pyne, 
not  of  your  black-barked  pyne,"  Albanians  to  draw  200,  those 
of  Rensselaerswyck  100.  Schenectady  90,  Kinderhook  85,  Cats- 
kill  35,  Coxsackie  35,  Claverack  30;  the  Government  author- 
izing expense  of  $75,  equal  to  6  3-7  pence  for  each,  September. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Evert  Bancker,  Peter  Bogar- 
dus,  I.  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  Jan  Lansingh,  H.  Johannis 
Abeel,  Albert  Ryckman,  HL     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


1694. 


Case  of  Johannes  Appel,  sheriff,  vs.  David  Keteleyn  and  Daniel 
Bratt,  in  that  "  upon  ye  Lord's  Day  makeing  ye  Indians  drunk 
in  so  much  yt  the  constable  was  in  danger  of  his  life,''  by  the 
redskins  who  came  at  him  with  their  tomahawks  upraised  as 
if  to  split  his  skull,  March  6 


126  PIETER   SCHUYLER.  No.  I. 


1694. 


The  above  case  postponed  in  the  Mayor's  Court  because  "  the  wit- 
nesses are  at  Green  Bush ;  but  cannot  come  over,  ye  yse  being 
so  rotten,  prays  that  the  business  may  be  deferred,"      March  7. 

Governor  Benjamin  Fletcher  caring  to  appoint  Johannes  Abeel 
to  be  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  Pieter  Schuyler  is  notified  of  the 
new  appointment  to  succeed  him,  Oct.  6. 


(See  No.  2.) 


No.  2. 


Soljaitnrsi  Ab^^L 


Oct.  14-,  1694  — Oct.  14,  1695. 


,  1709 .  1710. 


No.  2. 

JOHANNES  ABEEL. 

Date  of  ofUce:     (a)   October  14,  1694-October  14,  1695. 

(b)    1709-1710. 
Date  of  appointment:    October  6,  1694. 
Appointed  by:     Governor  (Col.)  Benjamin  Fletcher.  , 

Date  of  birth:     1667,  / 

Parents:     Stoffel  Janse  (A.)  and  Neeltje  Janse  Croon. 
Education:     Common  school. 
Married  to:     Catlyna  Schuyler. 
Date:     Rensselaerswyck,  April  10,  1694. 
Children:     (7-2  s.  5  d.)   Neeltje  (1695),  Christoffel  (1696),  Cata- 

lyna  (1698),  Neeltje  (1701),  Jannetje  (1703),  David  (1705)^ 

Maria  Duyckink  (1726). 
Occupation:     Merchant  and  trader. 
Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 
Date  of  death:     January  28,  171 1. 

Place  of  burial:     In  "  South  ""  Dutch  Church  cemetery,  Beaver  st. 
Title:     Judge. 
Remarks:     Alderman.     Justice,     Sheriff.     Recorder,  1702. 


No.  2.  JOHANNES    ABEEL.  129 

1694-1695. 

(Continued   from   No.    I.) 
1694. 


Johannes  Abeel  is  sworn  as  the  ]\Iayor  of  .\ll)any,  liavint;'  been 
commissioned  as  such  on  Oct.  6th,  by  Gov.  Benjamin  Fletcher, 

Oct.  14. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Evert  Liancker,  J'lcob  Staats, 
I.  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  Jan  Lansingh,  II.  Albert  Ryckman, 
Gerrit  van  Ness,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in,       Oct.  14. 

City  porter  and  Town-crier  ordained  the  proper  persons  to  open 
and  close  the  several  city  gates  through  the  stockadoes. 

Robert  Livingston  gives  a  deed  to  Dirck  Wesselse  Ten  Broeck 
for  two  parcels  of  land  from  his  Claverack  estate  that  he  had 
bought  July  12,  1683,  from  the  Mohegan  Indians,  one  situate 
upon  the  Hudson  river  consisting  of  600  acres,  the  other, 
back  on  Roelof  Jansen's  kil,  of  1,200  acres,  for  15  English 
pounds  and  an  annual  rental  of  10  shillings.  There  were  later 
two  theories  concerning  this  transfer,  one  that  Livingston  had 
been  commissioned  to  buy  the  large  Claverack  tract  for  Ten 
Broeck,  and  only  after  a  threat  consented  to  dispose  of  any 
portion  of  it  and  had  kept  it  when  the  deed  had  originally  been 
made  in  his  name,  or  else  that  Ten  Broeck  was  merely  paying 
his  share  in  the  deal  as  originally  planned  between  the  two  weal- 
thy men,  Oct.  26. 


1695. 


Dirck  Wesselse  Ten  Broeck  erects  a  Manor  House  for  himself  at 
Claverack,  not  far  from  the  site  of  Hudson,  X.  Y.,  near  Roelof 
Jansen's  kil  on  land  bought  from  Robert  Livingston,  January. 

Robert  Livingston,  on  a  trip  to  London  to  secure  from  the  Crown 
payments  due  him  for  sustaining  the  troops  and  as  secretary, 
meets  Captain  William  Kidd.  and  they  enter  into  a  project 
to  capture  pirates  of  the  high  seas,  the  English  government 
acquiescing  to  his  skilfully  conceived  j^lan  that  those  making 
the  capture  of  a  ])irate  slii]>  may  become  possessed  of  its  cargo. 


130  JOHANNES    ABEEL.  Xo.  2. 

1695-1709. 

"  Whereas  complaints  are  made  yt  ye  streets  of  Albany  are  found 
so  unfitt  yt  it  is  most  unable  for  any  person  to  use  them,"  it 
is  ordered  that  eight  feet  of  ground  be  paved  before  each  lot, 
"  and  it  is  also  ordered  yt  Claes  Ripse  van  Dam  and  J.  Gowyt 
they  shall  be  overseers  yt  ye  sd  streets  may  be  orderly  laid  " 
before  June,  March  12. 

Mayor's  Court  —  Proclamation :  Being  thought  very  requisite  by 
the  Recorder  and  Aldermen  for  ye  repairing  of  ye  citty  of  Al- 
bany; every  particular  person  that  hath  not  sett  there  propor- 
tion of  stockadoes  belonging  to  ye  citty,  shall  in  ye  space  of 
five  days  sett  there  stockadoes  in  a  good  and  equall  way,  and 
upon  pain  and  penalty  of  ye  sume  of  six  shillings  for  each  per- 
son yt  doth  not  perform  ye  same.  May  14. 

Evert  Bancker  is  appointed  Ivlayor  of  Albany  by  Gov.  Fletcher. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :     Johannis  Schuyler,  Hendrick 

Van  Rensselaer,  I.     Jan  Jansen   Bleecker,  Jan  Lansingh,   II. 

Albert   Ryckman,   Hendrick   Hanse,   III.     Election,   Sept.   29; 

sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  3.) 


(Continued  from  No.  3.) 
1709. 


Johannes  Abeel  is  sworn  in  as  Mayor  of  Albany  to  succeed  Evert 
Bancker,  having  been  commissioned  by  Gov.  Richard  Ingolds- 
by,  October. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Myndert  Schuyler,  Robert 
Livingston,  Jun.,  I.  Gerrit  Roseboom.  Abraham  Cuyler,  II. 
Hendrick  Hansen,  Abraham  Schuyler,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Col.  Pieter  Schuyler  and  Col.  Nicholson,  accompanied  by  Capt. 
Abraham  Schuyler  as  interpreter,  sail  for  England  with  five 
sachems  of  the  Mohawks  in  order  to  show  them  the  strength 
of  that  country,  that  they  may  tell  of  the  wonders  seen  to  the 
Five  Nations,  and  also  to  secure  aid  from  Queen  Anne  for  an 
expedition  against  Canada,  December. 

One  of  the  five  Mohawk  sachems  dies  on  the  vovage,       December. 


^'T^;^/!^ 


^1  j'n^^^Hi'^^^^^^^ 

1 

HO   NEE  YEATH  TAW  NO  ROW. 

(John)  "  King  "  of  the  Generethgarich  (Wolf 

iribej. 


TEE  VEE  KEEN  HO  GA  ROW. 

(King  Hendrick)  "  Emperor  "  of  the  Six  Xa^ 

lions  (Wolf  tribej. 


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ETOW  OH   KOAM. 
King  "  of  the  River  Nation 
(Turtle  tribe). 


SA  GA  VEATH  OUA  PIETH  TOW. 

"King"  of  the  Maquaas,  or  Mohawks  (Bear 

•  tribe) 


SCHUYLER'S  INDIAN  SACHEMS. 

Col.  Pieter  Schuyler,  the  first  Mayor  of  Albany,  took  five  Sachems  to  London  in 
December,  1709,.  one  dying  on  the  voyage  over,  and  they  were  presented  in  state  to 
Queen  Anne  April  19,  1710,  who  had  their  portraits  painted  by  I.  Verelst  before  sailing 
back  on  the  Dragon,  May  8th. 


No,  2.  JOHANNES   ABEEL.  I3I 

1710. 


17  10. 

Col.  Schuyler  arrives  in  England  with  the  sachems  and  they  make 
"  a  great  bruit  thro'  the  whole  kingdom.  The  mob  followed 
wherever  they  went,  and  small  cuts  of  them  were  sold  among 
the  people.  *  *  *"  Sir  Charles  Cotterel  conducrcd  them  in 
two  coaches  to  St.  James's  and  the  lord  chamberlain  introduced 
them  into  the  royal  presence  "  of  Queen  Anne.  "  They  were 
entertained  at  the  public  expense,  and  lodged  in  handsome 
furnished  apartments  in  the  house  of  an  upholsterer,  named 
Arne,  in  King  street,  Covent  Garden.  One  was  termed  '  Em- 
peror of  the  Mohawks,'  and  the  others  '  Kings.'  They  were 
dressed  in  rich  apparel ;  they  were  driven  about  the  city  and 
adjacent  country  in  coaches  with  livery;  they  visited  the  dock- 
yards and  arsenals,  were  taken  aboard  the  men-of-war  and 
heard  the  roar  of  their  artillery.  Nobles  and  statesmen  enter- 
tained them  at  their  tables.  Their  first  audience  with  the  queen 
was  with  all  the  formality  and  courtesy  conceded  to  princes  of 
the  highest  rank,"  January. 

Rev.  Godfriedus  Dellius,  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
dies,  ^larch  i. 

Gerardus  Beeckman  begins  his  administration  of  the  Province  of 
New  York  as  its  President,  April  10. 

Sir  Charles  Cotterel  conducts  Pieter  Schuyler,  his  companions  and 
the  sachems  to  St.  James's  palace  where  the  Duke  of  Shrews- 
bury presents  them  with  the  dignity  observed  with  foreign  po- 
tentates to  Her  Majesty,  Queen  Anne,  April  19. 

Queen  Anne  ofters  to  confer  knighthood  upon  Col.  Pieter  Schuyler 
(who  had  been  Albany's  first  Mayor)  but  he  respectfully  de- 
clines the  honor.  However,  he  accepts  tokens  of  her  favor 
upon  bringing  the  sachems  across  the  water  to  her ;  she  orders 
his  portrait  painted,  presenting  him  with  a  gold  snuff-box,  a 
silver  punch-bowl,  some  pieces  of  silver  plate,  and  for  his  wife 
a  diamond  brooch  and  earrings,  April. 

The  four  sachems  ride  "  in  one  of  the  Queen's  barges,  and  took 
a  view  of  Greenwich  hospital,  as  also  the  dock  and  yard  at 
Woolwich,"  April  21. 

The  sachems  visit  Banqueting  Hall,  then  the  Chapel  at  White- 
hall, April  22. 

Review  of  the  four  troops  of  guards  of  horse  with  the  grenadiers 
at  Hyde  Park,  by  the  Duke  of  Ormond,  for  the  pleasure  of 
the  sachems,  April  26. 


132  JOHANNES    ABEEI..  No.  2. 

1710. 

Archbishop  of  Canterbury  presents  eacTi  sachem  with  a  handsome 
JJible.  April  28. 

Pieter  Schuyler  and  his  Mohawk  sachems,  Hendrick  and  John  (who 
sign  their  names  with  the  mark  of  a  wolf  facing  the  right), 
Brandt  (who  signs  with  the  mark  a  pig)  and  Etawa  Caume 
(who  signs  with  mark  of  a  tortoise)  depart  from  London  for 
home,  sailing  on  the  man-of-war  "  Dragon,"  May  8. 

Brigadier  Robert  Hunter  arrives  from  England  at  New  York,  and 
at  once  begins  his  administration  of  the  province  of  New  York 
as  Governor,  June  14. 

Col.  Pieter  Schuyler  and  the  four  Mohawk  sachems  arrive  from 
England  on  board  the  "Dragon"  at  Boston,  July  15. 

Gov.  Robert  Hunter  commissions  Robert  Livingston,  Jun.,  A^Iayor 
of  Albany. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  David  Schuyler,  Harmanus 
Wendell,  L  Abraham  Cuyler,  Gerrit  Roseboom,  II.  Abraham 
Schuyler,  Wessell  tenBroeck,  HL     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 
•         -fc-         + 

(See  No.  12.) 


No.  3. 
Oct.  15.  1695  — Sept.  28,  1696. 

ji  tC-  vr 

— » — ,  1707 ,  1709. 


No.  3.  ; 

EVERT  BANCKER. 

Date  of  office:     (a)   October  15,  1695-September  28,  1696, 
(b)    1707-1709. 

Appointed  by:     (a)    Governor   (Col.)    Benjamin  Fletcher, 
(b)   Governor  Edward  Hyde. 

Date  of  birth:     January  24,  1665. 

Place  of  birth:     Beaverwyck. 

Parents:     Gerrit  (B.)   and  Elizabeth  Dirkse  Van  Eps. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Elizabeth  Abeel  (sister  of  2d  Mayor). 

Date:     September  24,  1686. 

Children:  (11-7  s.  4  d.)  Gerardus  (1691),  Ehzabeth  (1693), 
Christoffel  (b.  1695,  m.  Elizabeth  Hooglant),  Anna  (1697), 
Willem  (b.  1699),  m.  Annatje  Veeder),  Jannetje  (1701), 
Adrianus  (1703),  Gerardus  (b.  1706,  m.  Maria  De  Peyster),. 
Anna  (1708),  Johannes  (1710),  Johannes  (m.  Magdalena 
Veeder). 

Residence:     South  side  Yonkers    (State)    street,  4th  east  of  Pearl. 

Occupation:     Farmer.     Merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     July,  1734. 

Place  of  death:     Guilderland,  N.  Y. 

Place  of  burial:     Guilderland ;  on  July  loth. 

Title:     Judge. 

Remarks:  Justice  of  Peace,  1692.  Assembly,  1702.  Master  in 
Chancery,  October  13,  1705.  Indian  Commissioner,  August 
10,  1696;  1706;  1710;  1720;  1724;  1726;  1728.  Farmed  in 
Guilderland. 


E 


ALBANY  MAP  OF  1695. 

Drawn  by  Rev.  John  Miller,  British  Army  Chaplain  ;  boundaries,  Hudson 
River  on  east,  Steuben  st.  on  north.  Fort  Frederick  at  Lodge  st.  on  west,  Hud- 
son ave.  on  south,  i,  Fort.  2,  Dutch  Church.  3,  Lutheran  Church.  4,  Its 
burial  place.  5,  Dutch  Church  burial  place.  6,  Handlaars  st.  (Broadway).  7, 
Blockhouses.  8,  Stadt  Huis  or  City  Hall.  9,  Gun  at  water  front.  10,  Stockade. 
II,  Six  city  gates.  12,  Yonkers  (Gentleman's,  or  State)  st.  13,  Pearl  st.  14, 
Barrack  (Chapel)  st.  15,  Court  st.  16,  Middle  Lane  (James  St.).  17,  Rom  st. 
(Maiden  Lane). 


No.  3.  EVERT    BANCKER.  1 35 

1695-  1696. 

(Continued  from  No.  2.) 
1695. 


Evert   Bancker   having   been   commissioned    Mayor   of   Albany   to 
succeed  Johannes  Abeel,  he  is  sworn  into  office,  Oct.  15. 

Rev.  John  Miller  writes  "  A  description  of  the  Province  and 
City  of  New  York,"  printed  in  London  "  and  pulilished  for  the 
enlightenment  of  such  as  would  desire  information  anent  the 
New-Lound-Land  of  America,"  stating  of  Albany :  "  Jt  is  in 
circumference  about  six  furlongs,  and  hath  therein  about  200 
houses,  a  fourth  part  of  what  there  is  reckoned  to  be  in  New 
York.  The  form  of  it  is  septangular,  and  the  longest  line  (is) 
that  which  buts  upon  the  river  running  from  north  to  south. 
On  the  west  angle  is  the  fort,  quadrangular,  strongly  stocka- 
doed  and  ditched  round,  having  in  it  twenty-one  pieces  of 
ordnance  mounted.  On  the  northwest  side  are  two  block- 
houses, and  on  the  southwest  as  many ;  on  the  southeast  angle 
stands  one  block-house ;  in  the  middle  of  the  line  from  thence 
northward  is  a  horned  work,  and  on  the  northeast  angle  a 
mount.  The  whole  city  is  well  stockadoed  round,  and  in  the 
several  fortifications  named  are  about  thirty  guns.  Dependent 
on  this  city,  and  about  twenty  miles  distance  to  the  northward 
from  it,  is  the  Fort  of  Scanectade,  quadrangular,  with  a  treble 
stockado,  a  new  block-house  at  every  angle,  and  in  each  block- 
house two  great  guns." 

Order  for  450  new  stockadoes  passed  by  the  Council  in  order  to 
improve  the  protection  of  the  city  against  warring  Indians 
or  invasion  by  the  French  from  Canada,  Dec.  17. 

Citizens  raise  $250  for  paving  the  city's  streets. 


1696. 


Pirates  in  great  number  infest  the  Hudson  river  at  its  mouth  and 
waylay  vessels  on  their  way  to  Albany,  speeding  out  from 
coves  and  from  behind  islands,  and  again  returning  to  the 
rocky  shores  or  ascending  the  mountains  along  the  river  to 
conceal  their  plunder. 

Governor  Bellomont  and  Robert  Livingston,  having  invested  their 
money  as  a  partnership  in  a  speedy  craft  to  chase  pirates,  under 


136  EVERT    BANCKER.  No.  3. 


1696, 1707-1708. 


the  English  Crown's  consent  to  allow  them  whatever  cargo 
is  captured  from  the  pirates,  send  their  vessel  to  the  West  Indies 
under  command  of  the  skilled  Captain  William  Kidd,  February. 

Dirck  Wesselse  Ten  Broeck  is  commissioned  Mayor  of  Albany  by 
Governor  Benjamin  Fletcher,  September. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Johannis  Schuyler,  Hendrick 
Van  Rensselaer,  I.  Jan  Lansingh,  Jan  Van  Hagen,  II.  Albert 
Ryckman,  Hendrick  Hanse,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 


Oct.  1.1. 


(See  No.  4.) 

(Continued  from  No.  11.) 
1707. 


Evert  Bancker,  having  been  commissioned  by  Governor  Edward 
Hyde  to  be  the  Mayor  of  Albany  a  second  time,  he  is  sworn  as 
such,  October. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Evert  Bancker  elected,  but 
commissioned  Mayor  and  not  sworn, —  Robert  Livingston,  Jun., 
Myndert  Schuyler,  I.  Johannis  Cuyler,  Johannis  Roseboom, 
II.  Hendrick  Hansen,  Frans  Winne,  HI.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


1708. 


Lord  John  Lovelace  arrives  at  New  York  from  England. 

Rev.  Thomas  Barclay,  chaplain  of  Fort  Anne,  begins  services  of 
Church  of  England  at  Albany. 

Col.  Pieter  Schuyler  endeavors  to  persuacie  administration  of  pro- 
vince of  New  York  of  necessity  of  subduing  Canada. 

The  Schaihtecogue  tract  of  land  north  of  Albany  (2  x  2  x  12  x  14 
miles)  that  was  purchased  in  February,  1707,  of  Indians, 
surveyed,  divided  into  farms  and  leased  to  settlers. 

John  Lovelace  begins  administration  as  governor  of  New  York, 

Dec.  18. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Robert  Livingston,  Jun.,  Myn- 
dert Schuyler,  I.  Johannis  Roseboom,'  Nanning  Harmense,  II. 
Hendrick  Hansen,  Frans  Winne,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29 ; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


No.  3.  EVERT    BAXCKER.  1 37 

1709. 


1709. 

Queen  Anne  writes  to  the  governors  of  the  provinces  of  New  York, 
Pennsylvania  and  New  England  that  she  is  fitting  out  an  ex- 
pedition against  Canada,  and  has  resolved  to  attack  Montreal 
and  Quebec,  the  former  by  an  army  of  1,500  sent  by  way  of 
Albany  and  Lake  Champlain,  the  second  by  a  squadron  of  ships 
and  1,200  Massachusetts  militia,  and  she  strongly  expresses 
her  desire  for  the  interest  of  Pieter  Schuyler  in  the  enterprise, 
as  he  was  "  well  qualified  for  the  service,  and  a  very  proper 
person  to  be  employed  in  the  expedition,"  March. 

Pieter  Schuyler  made  President  of  Province  of  New  York,  May  6. 

Richard  Ingoldsby  begins  his  administration  of  Province  of  New 
York  as  governor,  May  9. 

Pieter  Schuyler  made  Councilor  or  President  of  New  York,  May  25. 

Richard  Ingoldsby  begins  administration  as  governor,  June  i. 

Col.  Schuyler  takes  troops  to  invade  Canada,  but  turns  back  at 
Wood  Creek  because  of  failure  of  naval  force  to  co-operate, 

July. 

Centennial  of  Hendrick  Hudson's  arrival  at  site  of  Hudson,  N.  Y., 

Sept.  19. 

Johannes  Knickerbacker,  miller,  oldest  of  seven  children  of  Her- 
man Jansen  Knickerbacker  (the  first  of  family  in  America) 
leases  farm  in  the  Schaihtecogue  tract,  taking  30  morgens  for 
16  pounds  10  shillings,  and  contracting  to  pay  yearly  to  the 
Mayor  of  Albany  375^  bushels  of  good  merchantable  winter 
wheat,  Oct.  13. 

Governor  Ingoldsby  commissions  Johannes  xA.beel  to  be  the  Mayor 
of  Albany  a  second  time,  September. 

•         *         * 

(See  No.  2.) 


No.  4. 

Itrrk  W^BBrlsr  (Lnx  IBrn^rk. 


Sept.  29,  1696      Sept.  28.  1698. 


No.  4. 
DIRCK  WESSELSE  TEN  BROECK. 

Date  of  office:     September  29,  1696-September  28,  1698. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  (Col.)   Benjamin  Fletcher. 

Date  of  birth:     December  18,  1638. 

Parents:     Wessel  Ten  Broeck,  of  Minister,  Westphalia.  (  ?) 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Christyna  (Cornelise?)  Van  Buren. 

Date:     Albany,  ,   1663. 

Children:  (13-6  s.  7  d.)  Wessel  (b.  1664,  m.  Cattryna  Loocker- 
mans),  father  of  21st  Mayor,  Elsje  (m.  Johannes  Cuyler, 
14th  Mayor),  Catalyntje  (m.  Johannes  Legget),  Cornelia  (m. 
Johannes  Wynkoop),  Geertruy  (m.  Abraham  Schuyler), 
Christina  (m.  Johannes  V^an  Alen),  Elizabeth  (m.  Antony 
Costar),  Lidia  (m.  Volckert  Van  Vechten),  Samuel  (b.  1680, 
m.  Maria  Van  Rensselaer),  Ephraim  and  Manasse  (twins, 
b.  1681,  d.  y.),  Johannes  (b.  1683,  m.  Elizabeth  Wendell  and 
Catryna  Van  Rensselaer).  Tobias  (b.  1689,  m.  Maritie  Van 
Stryen). 

Residence:  East  side,  corne;-  Yonkers  (State)  street  and  Yaugh 
(James)  street. 

Occupation:     Exporter  of  beaver  skins. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     September  18,  171 7. 

Place  of  death:     "  Bouwerie,"  Clermont,  N.  Y. 

Place  of  burial:  By  Roelof  Jansen's  Kil,  on  "  Bouwerie,"  Clermont, 
N.  Y. 

Title:     Major. 

Remarks:  Appointed  Commissary  by  Governor  Andros,  1676. 
Major  of  Militia,  1691.  Captain.  Indian  Commissioner,  30 
years,  to  October  2,  1716.  Justice  of  the  Peace,  1684,  by 
Governor  Dongan.  Alderman,  July  26,  1686,  first  city  board. 
Assembly,  ist  session,  1691,  2d,  3d,  4th  and  5th.  Recorder, 
October,  1686-1696.  Deacon,  1673.  Bought  1,800  acres  of 
Robert  Livingston,  October  26,  1694,  on  Roelof  Jansen's  Kil, 
Clermont,  N.  Y.,  for  I5£.  Carried  the  truce  of  King  James 
II.  to  Governor  of  Canada,  June  11,  i( 


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No.  4-  DIRCK    WESSELSE    TEX    liROECK.  I4I 

1696-1698. 

(Continued  from  Xo.  3.) 
1696. 


Dirck  Wesselse  Ten  Broeck  is  sworn  into  ofifice  as  the  IMayor  of 
Albany  to  succeed  Evert  Bancker,  having  been  commissioned 
by  Governor  Benjamin  Fletcher,  Sept.  29. 


1697. 


Population  of  the  county  enumerated  as  379  men.  270  women,  803 
children;  total,  1,452  inhabitants,  not  counting  Indians,  and 
mostly  residing  within  the  city  itself,  June  16. 

Robert  Livingston,  Jun.,  manager  at  Albany  for  the  Manor  at  Cler- 
mont of  his  uncle  of  same  name,  the  first  proprietor,  and  a  few 
years  later  to  be  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  marries  Margareta 
Schuyler,  the  niece  of  this  uncle's  wife  and  the  eldest  daughter 
of  Col.  Pieter  Schuyler,  the  city's  first  Mayor,  the  license  bear- 
ing the  date  July  26. 

John  Rateclifife  named  city  porter,  whose  duty  it  is  to  close  the 
city  gates  and  ring  the  bells  at  proper  intervals.  Nov.  23. 

Charter  election  Common  Council :  Johannis  Schuyler,  Hendrick 
Van  Rensselaer.  I.  Jan  Lansingh,  Jan  VanHagen,  II.  Hen- 
drick Hanse,  Wesselse  tenBroeck,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29 ; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


1698. 


Richard  Coote.  Earl  of  Bellomont,  who  had  become  an  intimate 
friend  of  Robert  Livingston  on  his  trip  to  England  when  he 
sought  payment  from  the  Crown  for  feeding  the  troops,  arrives 
from  England  at  New  York,  April  2. 

Earl  of  Bellomont  begins  his  administration  as  Governor  of  the 
Province  of  New  York,  April  13. 

Population  of  the  county :  382  men,  262  women,  805  children,  23 
negroes;  total,  1,472  inhabitants  (as  reported  by  census  ordered 
by  Gov.  Fletcher),  April  19. 


142  DIRCK    WESSELSE    TEN    BROECK.  No.  4. 

1698. 

Indian  census  of  the  county  shows  no  Mohawks,  70  Oneidas,  250 
Onondagas,  200  Cayngas,  600  Senecas,  90  River  Indians ;  total, 
1,320  Indians,  April  19. 

Report  shows  142  men,  68  women,  209  children  had  left  the  county 
during  hostilities;  16  taken  prisoner,  84  killed,  38  died, 

April  19. 

Gov.  Coote  visits  Albany  to  meet  sachems  of  the  Five  Nations  in 
assembly  and  is  chagrined  by  their  cool  reception ;  takes  ex- 
ception to  what  Gov.  Fletcher  had  done  and  criticizes  the  work 
of  Dominie  Dellius  (in  report  to  Commissioners  of  Council 
of  Trade)   and  makes  changes  in  administration  of  affairs, 

Captain  Kidd,  who  had  been  commissioned  by  Robert  Livingston 
and  the  Earl  of  Bellomont  to  use  their  ship  and  capture  pirates, 
*Jie  Crown  allowing  them  the  possession  of  cargoes  of  all  such 
unlawful  craft,  being  unsuccessful  in  capturing  pirates,  turns 
pirate  himself,  and  using  the  vessel  of  these  men  of  high  posi- 
tion becomes  notorious  as  a  terror  of  the  seas. 

Hendrick   Hansen   commissioned   ]\Iayor  by  Gov.   Richard   Coote, 

September. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :     Johannis  Schuyler,  Hendrick 

Van  Rensselaer,  I.  Jan  Van  Hagen,  Johannis  Cuyler,  II.   Wes- 

selse   tenBroeck,    Albert    Ryckman,    III.     Election,    Sept.    29; 

sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  5.) 


No.  5. 


Sept.  29,  1698 ,  1699. 


No.  5. 
HENDRICK  HANSEN. 

Date  of  office:     September  29,  1698-1699. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  Richard  Coote. 

Parents:     Captain  Hans   (Hendrickse)   and  Eva  Gillise. 

Edncation:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Debora  \'an  Dam. 

Date:     September  21  1692. 

Children:  (7-5  s.  2d.)  Debora  (1693).  Hans  (17th  Mayor,  b.  1695, 
m.  Sara  Cuyler).  Maria  (b.  1697,  m.  David  Schuyler), 
Nicholas  (1698),  Pieter  (1700).  Rykaart  (1703.  m.  Sara 
Thong,  1727;  Catharina  Ten  Broeck.  1738),  Jefie  (1705, 
d.  y.). 

Residence:  East  side  Market  street  (Broadway)  next  north  of 
Bleecker  Hall  site. 

Occupation:     Trader.     Merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     February.  1724. 

Place  of  death:     Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     Dutch  Church,  on  February  19th. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:     Alderman.     Assembly.     Indian  Commissioner. 


No.  5.  HENDRICK    HANSEN.  I45 

1698-1699. 

(Continued  from  No.  4.) 
1698. 


Hendrick  Hansen  is  sworn  into  office  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany  to 
succeed  Dirck  Wesselse  Ten  Broeck,  having  been  commissioned 
such  by  Governor  Richard  Coote,  Sept.  29. 

Population  of  the  Province  of  the  New  York  18,067. 


1699. 


Mayor,  recorder,  aldermen.  Rev.  G.  Dellius  and  166  citizens  sub- 
scribe to  the  following  new  form  of  oath :  **  I— ,  do  hereby 

Promise  and  Swear  yt  I  will  be  faithful  and  bear  true  allegiance 

to  his  majesty.  King  William,  so  help  me  God.     I, ,  do 

swear  that  I  do  from  my  heart  abhor,  detest  and  abjure  as 
Impious  and  Heretical,  yt  damnalile  Doctrine  and  Position,  yt 
Princes  Excommunicated  or  Deprived  by  ye  Pope  or  any  au- 
thority of  ye  See  of  Rome,  may  be  deposed  or  murthered 
by  their  subjects  or  any  other  whatsoever.  And  I  doe  declare 
yt  no  foreign  Prince,  Person,  Prelate,  State  or  Potentate,  hath 
or  ought  to  have  any  Jurisdiction,  Power,  Superiority,  Pre- 
eminence or  Authority,  Ecclesiasticale  or  Spirituall  within 
this  Realm.    So  help  me  God."  Jan.  4. 

Land  patents  granted  by  Indians  to  Pieter  Schuyler,  William  Pin- 
horn,  Rev.  G.  Dellius,  Dirck  Wesselse  Ten  Broeck  and  Evert 
Bancker  (50  miles  long  and  two  miles  in  width  each  side  of 
the  Mohawk  river  west  of  the  site  of  Amsterdam,  under  Gov. 
Fletcher)  annulled  by  the  Assembly,  as  recommended  by  Gov. 
Coote,  who  seeks  to  overthrow  all  that  Gov.  Fletcher  had 
enacted,  |  May. 

Rev.  Godfreidus  Dellius  deprived  of  pastorate  of  Reformed  Dutch 
church  by  an  Act  suggested  by  Gov.  Coote,  and  Rev.  Johannes 
Petrus  Nucella  appointed.  May. 

John  Nanfan  becomes  lieutenant-governor  of  Province  of  New 
York,  May  17. 

Lord  Bellomont,  smarting  under  criticism  that  he  had  been  the 
one  to  engage  Captain  Kidd  in  February  of  1696  to  capture 
pirates  and  then  possess  their  stealings  in  shares  with  Robert 


140  HENDRICK    HANSEN.  No.  5. 

169  9. 

Livingston  to  cover  the  expense,  and  thereby  break  up  piracy, 
induces  Capt.  Kidd  by  a  decoy  letter  to  come  to  Boston,  and 
there  arrests  him,  June. 

Robert  Livingston,  accused  at  Boston  before  the  Board  of  Trade  by 
Lord  Bellomont,  his  former  partner  in  a  ship  to  catch  pirates, 
hastens  to  that  city  and  exonerates  himself  of  any  ill-doing  in 
the  fact  that  his  vessel  had  been  used  by  Captain  Kidd  as 
pirate  craft,  July. 

Pieter  Van  Brugh  (or  Verbrugge)  commissioned  Mayor  of  Albany 
by  Lieut. -Governor  John  Nanfan,  '  September. 

Charter    election,    Common    Council :     Johannis    Schuyler,    David 

Schuyler,  L     Johannis  Cuyler,  Johannis  Roseboom,  IL     Wes- 

selse   tenBroeck,   Albert   Ryckman,    IIL     Election,    Sept.    29; 

sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  6.) 


No.  6. 

prtrr  Han  iBruglt  (B^rbrugg^). 


,  1699 ,  1700. 


■;<-  * 


Nov.  9.  1720 ,  1723. 


No.  6. 

PIETER   VAN   BRUGH    (VERBRUGGE). 

Date  of  office:     (a)    1699-1700. 

(b)    November  9.  1720-1723. 
Date  of  appointment:     (a) 

(b)    November  9,  1720. 
Appointed  by:     (a)   Lieutenant-Governor  John  Nanfan. 

(b)   Governor  William  Burnet. 
Date  of  birth:     July  14,  1666. 
Parents:     Johannes  Pieterse  (Verbrugge)  and  Tryntje  (or  Catrina) 

Roeloff se  ( Rodenburgh ) . 
Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Sara  Cuyler   (sister  of  14th  Mayor). 
Date:     New  York,  November  2,  1688. 
Children:     (i)   Catherine  (baptized  November  10,  1689). 
Residence:     South    side    Yonkers     (State)     street    west    of    Pearl 

street. 
Occupation:     Holland  trader. 
Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 
Date  of  death:     July,  1740. 
Place  of  death:     Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     Dutch  Church,  on  July  20th. 
Title:     Captain. 
Remarks:     Grandson  of  Anneke  Jans  (or  Jansen). 


No.  6.  PIETER   VAN    BRUGII.  I49 


1699-  1700. 


(Continued  from  No.  5.) 
1699. 


Pieter  Van  Brngh  (or  \'erbrugge )  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany 
to  succeed  Hendrick  Hansen,  having  been  commissioned  by 
Lieut-Governor  John  Nanfan. 

In  order  to  economize,  the  14  soldiers  of  the  block-house  near  the 
South  gate,  by  a  resolution  of  Common  Council,  are  ordered 
lodged  in  the  fort,  Nov.  29. 

John  RatclifTe  and  Robert  Barrett  are  appointed  "  rattle-watch  " 
(ratelwagh)  and  to  patrol  the  city,  beginning  at  the  main 
guard-house  nearby  the  South  gate,  northward  on  Market 
(Broadway)  street  to  the  Rutten  kill  bridge  where  lives  Col. 
Schuyler,  then  by  Yonkers  (State)  street  up  the  hill  to  the  fort, 
along  the  hill  to  Alderman  Roseboom's  residence,  east  of  Par- 
rel (Pearl)  street  and  north  of  Rom  (Maiden  Lane)  street, 
east  on  Rom  street  and  back  to  guard-house,  beginning  at  10 
o'clock  and  continuing  until  dawn,  carrying  lantern  and  rattle 
to  give  alarm,  Nov.  29. 

Officers  of  the  city  regiment  and  county  militia :  Colonel,  Pieter 
Schuyler;  major,  Dirck  Wesselse  Ten  Broeck.  First  foot- 
company  :  Captain,  Johannes  Bleecker ;  lieutenant,  Johannes 
Roseboom  ;  ensign,  Abraham  Cuyler.  Second  foot-company : 
Captain,  Albert  Janse  Ryckman ;  lieutenant,  Dirck  Wesselse 
Ten  Broeck;  ensign,  Johannes  Thomasse.  County's  first  foot- 
company  :  Captain,  Martain  Cornelisse ;  lieutenant,  Andries 
Douw ;  ensign,  Andries  Coeymans.  County's  second  foot- 
company:  Captain,  Gerrit  Teunisse :  lieutenants,  Jonas  Douw 
and  Joachim  Lamerse ;  ensigns,  Volckert  van  Hoesen  and  Abra- 
ham Hanse.  Troop  of  horse :  Captain,  Kiliaen  \"an  Rens- 
selaer ;  lieutenant,  Johannes  Schuyler ;  cornet,  Bennony  Van 
Corlaer ;  quartermaster,  Anthony  Bries.  December. 


1700. 


Cornells  Hogardus  licensed  school-teacher,  Jan.  23. 

Stephen  de  Lancey  who,  with  other  Huguenot  families  was  stripped 

of  his  estate  under  the  Edict  of  Nantes,  and  had  arrived  at 


150  PIETER   VAN    BRUGH.  No.  6. 

1700. 

New  York  on  June  7,  1686,  marries  Anne  Van  Cortlandt,  whose 
mother  was  a  Schuyler  of  Albany,  Jan.  23. 

Col.  Pieter  Schuyler,  Robert  Livingston  and  Hendrick  Hansen  go 
on  visit  to  Onondaga  to  address  the  Five  Nations,  hoping  to 
win  them  from  the  French  cause,  April  9. 

The  three  Indian  commissioners  return.  May  2. 

Rev.  Johannes  Lydius  succeeds  Rev.  Johannes  Petrus  Nucella  as 
dominie  of  Reformed  Dutch  church,  July  20. 

Richard  Coote   (Earl  of  Bellomont)   again  becomes  governor, 

July  24. 

Gov.  Coote  writes  to  England :  "  The  soldiers  in  garrison  at  Albany 
are  in  such  a  shameful  condition  for  the  want  of  clothes,  that 
the  women  when  passing  them  are  obliged  to  cover  their  eyes. 
The  Indians  ask  with  significance,  Do  you  think  us  such  fools 
as  to  believe  a  king  who  cannot  clothe  his  soldiers  can  protect 
us  from  the  French  with  their  1,400  men  all  in  good 
condition?"  July  26. 

Witchcraft  was  introduced  into  Albany  from  Canada  as  related  in 
Gov.  Coote's  letter  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  wherein  he  states : 
"  Decannissore,  one  of  the  Sachems  of  the  Onondagas,  married 
one  of  the  praying  Indians  in  Canada,  this  woman  was  taught 
to  poison  as  well  as  pray.  The  Jesuits  had  furnish'd  her  with 
so  subtill  a  poison,  and  taught  her  leger  de  main  in  using  it; 
so  that  whoever  she  had  a  mind  to  poison  she  would  drink  to 
'em  a  cup  of  water,  and  let  drop  the  poison  from  vuider  her  nail 
(which  are  always  very  long,  for  the  Indians  never  pare  'em) 
into  the  cup.  This  woman  was  so  true  a  disciple  of  the 
Jesuits,  that  she  has  poison'd  a 'multitude  of  our  Five  Nations 
that  were  best  aftected  to  us.  *  '^  *  't  was  not  fit  she  should 
live  any  longer  in  the  world  to  do  more  mischief ;  and  so  made 
up  to  her,  and  with  a  club  beat  out  her  brains,"  July  26. 

Common  Council  agrees  to  permit  "  two  churchwardens  of  Shin- 
nechtady  "  to  solicit  alms  here  in  order  to  make  up  a  sufficient 
sum  as  salary  for  Dominie  Freman,  Sept.  21. 

Gov.  Coote,  in  his  letter  to  the  Board  of  Trade,  speaks  of  a  confab 
with  the  sachems  as  follows :  "  The  Interpreter  who  was  sent 
to  hasten  the  Sachems  (to  meet  the  governor  at  Albany)  re- 
ported that  their  minds  were  so  possess'd  with  a  jealousy  of 
my  intending  them  mischief  as  the  French  had  suggested  to 
them,  that  they  were  all  that  while  deliberating  whether  to 
venture  to  meet  me  at  Albany.  My  conference  with  the 
Indians  .  .  .  lasted  seven  or  eight  days,  and  was  the 
greatest  fatigue  I  ever  underwent  in  my  whole  life.     I  was 


DUTCH  CHURCH  WEATHER-COCK. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  ancient  souvenirs  of  the  city. 
It  is  made  of  beaten  brass  and  bears  marks  of  three 
bullets.  It  stood  on  the  church  built  in  1656  at  foot 
of  State  St.,  removed  in  1806,  and  in  1906  was  on 
tower  of  Madison  Ave.  Reformed  Church. 


No.  6.  PIETER   VAN    BRUGH.  I5I 

1700,  1720-1721. 

shut  up  in  a  close  chamber  with  50  Sachems,  who  besides  the 
stink  of  bear's  grease  with  which  they  plentifully  dawb'd  them- 
selves were  continually  either  smoking  tobacco  or  drinking 
drams  of  rum.  They  seem'd  sullen  and  out  of  humour  at  first, 
but  by  degrees  I  brought  "em  to  perfect  good  temper.  I  am 
told  there  never  appeared  so  many  Sachems  at  any  conference 
as  at  this,"  Oct.  17. 

Jan  Jansen  Bleecker  commissioned  to  be  the  Alayor  of  Albany  by 
the  Earl  of  Bellomont,  Governor  of  Province  of  New  York, 

September. 

Charter    election,    Common    Council :     Johannis    Schuyler,    David 

Schuyler,  I.     Johannis  Roseboom.  Johannis  Cuyler,  II.     Wes- 

selse    tenBroeck,    Johannis    Abeel,    III.     Election,    Sept.    29; 

sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  7.) 

(Continued  from  No.  13.") 
1720. 

Pieter  Van  Brugh  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany  a  second  time, 
succeeding  Myndert  Schuyler  and  holding  the  commission  of 
Governor  William  Burnet,  Nov.  q. 


1721. 


A  school-teacher  being  necessary,  the  Common  Council  resolves: 
"  Whereas  it  is  very  requisite  &  necessary  that  a  fitt  and  able 
school  master  settle  in  this  city  for  teaching  and  instructing  of 
the  youth  in  speling,  reading,  writeing  and  cyfifering  and  Mr. 
Johannes  Glandorf  haveing  ofit'ered  his  service  to  setle  here  and 
keep  a  school  if  reasonably  encourage  by  ye  Corporation,  it  is 
therefore  Resolved  by  this  Comonalty  and  they  do  hereby 
oblidge  themselves  and  their  successors  to  give  and  procure 
unto  ye  said  Johan's  Glandorf  free  house  rent  for  the  term  of 
seaven  years  next  ensueing  for  keeping  a  good  and  commend- 
able school  as  becomes  a  diligent  Schoolmaster,"  April  8. 

Beaver-skins  valued  at  $33,295  exported  in  172 1, 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Goose  van  Schaick,  Harmanus 
Wendell,  I.  Hendrick  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders,  II.  Hen- 
drick  Hansen,  Johannis  Pruyn,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29 ;  sworn 
in,  Oct.  14. 


152  PIETER   VAN    BRUGH.  No.  6. 

1722. 


1722. 


Gov.  William  Burnet  remonstrates  at  Albany  with  the  River 
Indians  (Mahikanders)  regarding  their  too  free  use  of  intoxi- 
cants, suggesting  that  they  apply  the  money  spent  upon  liquor 
for  clothing,  to  which  one  of  the  sachems  replies :  "  We  are 
sensible  that  you  are  much  in  the  right  that  rum  does  a  great 
deal  of  harm.  We  approve  of  all  that  you  said  on  that  point, 
but  the  truth  is  this :  When  our  people  come  from  hunting  to- 
the  town  or  to  the  plantations  and  acquaint  the  traders  and 
people  that  we  want  powder,  shot,  and  clothing,  they  first  give 
us  a  large  cup  or  rum,  and  after  we  get  the  taste  of  it  we  crave 
for  more  so  that  at  last  all  the  beaver  and  peltry  we  have 
hunted  goes  for  drink,  and  we  are  left  destitute  either  of  cloth- 
ing or  ammunition ;  therefore  we  desire  our  father  to  order  the 
tap  or  crane  to  be  shut  and  to  prohibit  the  selling  of  rum,  for 
as  long  as  the  Christians  will  sell  rum,  our  people  will  drink  it. 
*  *  *  We  acknowledge  that  our  father  is  very  much  in  the 
right  to  tell  us  that  we  squander  away  our  Indian  corn  which 
should  subsist  our  wives  and  children,  but  one  great  cause  of 
it  is  that  many  of  our  people  are  obliged  to  hire  land  of  the 
Christians  at  a  very  dear  rate  and  to  give  half  the  corn  for  rent, 
and  the  other  half  they  are  tempted  by  rum  to  sell,  and  the 
corn  goes  so  that  the  poor  women  and  children  are  left  to 
shift  as  well  as  they  can.  *  *  *  We  have  no  more  land. 
The  Christians  when  they  buy  a  small  spot  of  land  ask  us  if 
we  have  no  more  land.  When  we  say  yes,  they  wish  to  know 
the  name  of  it,  and  take  a  greater  quantity  than  was  to  be  sold 
to  them,  and  the  Indians  not  understanding  what  is  written 
in  the  deed  or  bill  of  sale,  sign  it  and  are  thus  deprived  of  part 
of  their  lands,"  Aug.  30. 

Gov.  Alexander  Spotswood  of  Virginia  and  Sir  William  Keith, 
Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  confer  with  sachems  of  Five  Nations- 
at  Albany,  and  renew  covenants,  September. 

Beaver-skins  valued  at  $41,665  exported  in  1722. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Johannis  tenBroeck,  Johannis 
dePeyster,  I.  Hendrick  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders,  II.  Jo- 
hannis Pruyn,  Dirck  tenBroeck,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29 ;  sworn 
in,  Oct.  14.. 


No.  6.  PIETER    \'AX    URUGII.  I53 

1723. 


1723. 

Gov.  Burnet  writes  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  that  he  has  at  last  suc- 
ceeded in  inducing-  the  far  Indians  to  come  to  Albany  to  trade, 
some  coming  "  above  a  thousand  miles  to  Albany  from  Mis- 
limakenak,  which  lyes  between  Lac  Superieur  and  Lac 
Huron/'  June  25. 

Myndert  Schuyler  commissioned  to  be  Mayor  of  Albany  by  Gov- 
ernor William  Burnet,  1723. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Johannis  tenBroeck,  Johannis 
dePeyster,  L  Hendrick  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders,  IL  Johan- 
nis Pruyn,  Dirck  tenBroeck,  IIL     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 
•         •         • 

(See  No.  13.) 


No.  7. 

Jan  Jatta^n  Ib^k^r. 


,  1700 ,  1701. 


No.  7. 
JAN   JANSEN    BLEECKER. 

Date  of  office:     1700-1701. 

Appointed  by:     (Gov.)  Earl  of  Bellomont. 

Date  of  birth:    July  9,  1641. 

Place  of  birth:     Meppel,  Overyssel,  Holland. 

Parents:     Jan  (B.). 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:  Margariet  (or  Greitjen)  Rutse  Jacobsen  Van  Schoen- 
derwoert. 

Date:    January  2,  1667. 

Children:  (9-4  s.  5  d.)  Johannes  (8th  Mayor,  b.  1668),  Catharine, 
Jane,  Rutger  (15th  Mavor,  b.  1675),  Nicholas,  Margaret, 
Hendrick   (1686),  Rachel   (1688),  Maria   (1692). 

Occupation:     Trader. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     November  21,  1732. 

Place  of  death:    Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     Dutch  Church,  on  November  24th. 

Title:     Captain. 

Remarks:  Emigrated  to  Albany,  1658.  City  Chamberlain,  1686. 
Indian  Commissioner,  1691-4.  Captain  of  Militia,  Indian 
War,  1689.  Recorder,  1696-1700.  Justice  of  Peace,  1697. 
Member  of  Provincial  Assembly,  1 698-1 701. 


7.     JAN   JANSEN    BLEECKER. 
1 700-1 701. 
From  what  is  believed  to  be  a  life-size  oil-painting  of  him,  owned  in  1906  by 
Mrs.  James  B.  Speyers,  nee  Katharine  Van  Vechten  Miller,  of  New  York  city. 


No.  7-  JAN    JANSIiX    liLEECKKR.      '  1 57 

1700-1701. 

(Continued   from   Xo.  6.) 
1700. 


Jan  Jansen  Bleecker  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  having  been 
commissioned  by  Sir  Richard  Coote,  Earl  of  Ucllomont,  the 
Governor  of  the  Province  of  New  York. 

Albany  county  furnishes  371  militiamen  of  the  3,182  in  the  militia 
of  the  Province  of  New  York. 

Col.  Pieter  Schuyler  in  command  of  the  militia  of  Albany  count}', 
with  Dirck  Wesselse  Ten  Broeck  the  major. 

Kiliaen  \'an  Rensselaer  the  captain  of  the  troop  of  horse. 

Beaver-skins  numbering  15,241  exported  in  1700. 

Gov.  Coote,  in  his  letter  to  the  Board  of  Trade,  describes  the  condi- 
tion of  the  soldiers  at  Albany  as  follows :  "  I  had  the  two 
Companies  at  Albany,  vizt.  Major  Ingoldesby's  and  Capt. 
Weenie's  muster'd  before  me  there.  *  *  '''  I  never  in  my 
life  saw  so  moving  a  sight  as  that  of  the  Companies  at  Albany, 
half  the  men  were  without  breeches,  shoes,  and  stockins  when 
they  muster'd.  I  thought  it  shameful  to  the  last  degree  to  see 
English  soldiers  so  abus'd.  They  had  like  to  have  mutinied. 
*  *  *  I  was  in  great  hopes  yoiu"  Lordships  would  have 
directed  me  to  fall  immediately  upon  fortifying  at  Albany  and 
Schenectadv ;  these  forts  are  not  only  scandalously  weak,  but 
do  us  unspeakable  mischief  with  our  Indians,  who  conceive  a 
proportionable  idea  of  the  Kings  power  &  greatness.  The  in- 
habitants came  all  about  me  at  my  leaving  Albany  and  told 
me  in  plain  terms  that  if  the  King  would  not  build  a  Eort  there 
to  protect  'em  they  would  on  the  very  first  news  of  a  war  be- 
tween England  and  Prance  desert  that  place  and  fly  to  New 
York  rather  than  they  would  stay  there  to  have  their  throats 
cut.  '■■'  '■■'  *  There  are  half  a  dozen  at  Albany  who  have 
competent  estates,  but  all  the  rest  are  miserable  poor."     Oct.  17. 

Retailing  of  liquor  prohibited,  unless  by  Mayor's  license,  under 
penalty  of  $25.  and  absolutely  no  selling  of  same  to  soldiers 
after  the  8  o'clock  bell  at  night.  Nov.  15. 

Assessment  of  1.200  f  and  S>y  "  loadwood  "  levied  for  "ye  Rattle- 
watch,"  Dec.  30. 


1701. 


Beaver-skins,  formerly  bringing  14  shillings  per  pound  at  London, 
now  selling  for  only  five  shillings. 


158  JAN    JANSEN    BLEECKER.  No,  7. 


1701. 


Sir  Richard  Coote,  Earl  of  Bellomont,  the  Governor  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  York,  dies  suddenly,  and  having  heeded  those  who 
had  been  jealous  of  ex-Mayor  Pieter  Schuyler  it  prevents  the 
carrying  out  of  his  plans  to  lower  Schuyler's  powerful  influence 
among  the  Indians  and  might  have  soon  made  him  a  man  of 
less  importance,  March  5. 

Pieter  Schuyler,  William  Smith  and  Abraham  De  Peyster  made 
councilors  to  act  as  administrators,  Lieut. -Gov.  John  Nanfan 
being  absent  in  the  West  Indies,  March  5. 

The  council  appointed  on  the  5th  administers  the  alTairs  of  the 
Province  of  New  York  until  the  return  of  John  Nanfan  from 
Barbadoes,  and  who  assumes  control  on  his  arrival  at  New 
York,  .  May  19. 

Governor  John  Nanfan  directs  Johannes  Bleecker,  Jun.,  and  David 
Schuyler  (son  of  David  Pieterse  Schuyler)  to  go  to  Onondaga 
and  there  notify  the  Five  Nations  of  his  desire  for  a  conference 
at  Albany,  as  well  as  to  observe  with  the  skill  he  knows  they 
possess  what  influence  the  French  have  among  those  Indians, 
and  they  set  out,  June  2. 

Johannes  Bleecker,  Jun.,  and  David  vSchuyler  arrive  at  Onondaga, 
the  council  place  of  the  Indians.  June  10. 

Johannes  Bleecker,  Jun.,  and  David  Schuyler  attend  the  meeting 
held  by  the  Onondaga  and  Seneca  sachems,  and  perceive  that 
the  Protestant  wampum  belt  sent  to  them  by  the  Earl  of  Bello- 
mont, when  Governor  of  New  York  Province,  is  hanging  beside 
the  Catholic  belt  sent  by  Callieres  of  Canada,  in  the  Indian 
council-house,  showing  that  the  sachems  had  not  yet  decided 
whether  to  be  the  allies  of  the  French  of  Canada  or  of  the 
English  colonies,  and  Dekanissora,  the  mourning  hermit,  told 
in  an  eloquent  discourse  how  Callieres  had  been  kind  to  him 
at  the  last  audience  granted  at  Montreal,  kissing  him  with  all 
appearances  of  deep  affection  on  both  cheeks,  ordering  his 
portrait  painted,  had  dined  him  sumptuously  at  his  own  table 
with  the  white  people,  had  presented  him  with  a  double- 
barrelled  gun,  with  a  laced  coat  and  hat,  a  magnificent  shirt 
and  an  abimdance  of  tobacco,  and  upon  his  departure  for  the 
home  of  the  tribes  had  ordered  three  Frenchmen  not  to  allow 
him  to  do  any  of  the  rowing  of  his  bark  canoe  from  Montreal 
to  Fort  Frontenac,  June  14. 

A  messenger  announces  at  the  council  of  sachems  that  M.  Marin- 
cour  was  approaching,  being  then  but  eight  miles  distant,  come 
from  Canada  to  announce  that  the  King  of  Spain  was  dead, 
that  the  Governor  of  Canada  desired  the  sachems  of  the  tribes 


INDIAN  TREATY. 

Albany  was  the  scene  of  treaty-making  with  Indian  sachems  time  and  again. 
Colonists  came  here  even  from  Maryland  for  the  purpose.  The  Dutch  had  the 
advantage  in  that  for  trivial  gifts  they  made  the  Indians  allies.  (Copyright  by 
C.  Y.  Turner.) 


No.  7-  JAN    JANSEN    BLEECKER.  159- 

1701. 

to  come  into  his  presence,  as  he  wished  to  make  it  clear  that 
the  French  and  not  the  colonists  were  their  most  able  friends, 
more  willin_g^  to  help  them  fight  battles  with  hostile  Indians,  and 
he  desired  some  squaws  sent  to  fetch  his  luggage  into  their 
camp.  June  i8. 

The  council  of  the  sachems  having  been  in  session  for  a  week,  the 
time  drew  near  when  it  was  necessary  to  determine  among  the 
chiefs  which  religious  belt,  the  Catholic  of  the  French  implying 
Canada's  aid,  or  the  Protestant  belt,  signifying  alliance  with 
the  English  colonists,  should  be  chosen,  accordingly  Dekanis- 
sora  sought  Bleecker  and  Schuyler  privately  for  their  advice. 
The  Indian  stated  there  was  a  vast  difference  of  opinion  among 
the  tribes,  as  some  would  agree  to  have  a  priest  on  one  side 
of  the  castle  and  a  minister  on  the  other.  The  Albany  dele- 
gates said  this  would  cause  confusion,  and  above  all  they  should 
not  cringe  to  the  French  ;  but  to  this  the  chief  answered :  "  We 
fear  the  French  will  make  war  on  us,  and  we  shall  then  fade 
away  like  the  Mohawks.  You  may  promise  assistance,  but 
what  does  that  avail,  so  long  as  you  do  not  give  it?"  The 
same  night  the  old  chief  called  at  the  tent  of  the  Albanians 
again,  and  said  no  decision  had  been  reached  and  he  had  him- 
self been  so  troubled  about  the  matter  that  for  two  nights  he 
had  not  slept,  anxious  to  advise  his  tribe  aright,  Jwne  21. 

At  the  council  meeting  of  the  tribes  at  Onondaga,  with  envoys  from 
Canada  and  Albany  present,  Dekanissora  states  the  situation 
as  follows :  "  We  are  desired  by  both  parties  to  become 
Christians,  and  we  see  the  belts  hanging  before  us.  You  make 
us  mad.  and  we  know  not  which  side  to  choose.  But  I  will 
now  say  no  more  about  it,  and  take  the  belts  down  and  keep 
them,  because  you  are  both  dear  with  your  goods.  We  are 
sorrv  we  cannot  pray,  but  we  have  come  to  this  conclusion, 
we  will  take  a  priest  or  minister  of  the  party  who  sells  his 
goods  the  cheapest.  Our  sachems  meantime  are  going,  some 
to  Albany,  others  to  Montreal,  and  w^e  will  think  about  it  until 
winter.  We  have  a  suspicion  that  there  will  soon  be  another 
war  between  your  nations,  but  we  tell  you  both  that  we  shall 
keep  the  peace,"  June  22. 

The  sachems  of  the  Five  Nations  divide,  a  set  proceeding  to  Canada 
with  the  idea  that  by  telling  Callieres  what  the  New  York 
colonists  will  do  he  will  be  forced  to  make  them  presents  of 
great  value  and  order  goods  sold  cheaply  to  them,  while  other 
sachems  arrive  at  Albany  to  strike  a  bargain  with  Governor 
Nanfan,  July  L 


l6o  JAN    JANSEN    BLEECKER.  No.  7. 

1701  . 

It  is  reported  that  Callieres  when  visited  by  the  sachems  from 
Onondaga  in  an  endeavor  to  gain  their  tribes  as  French  alHes, 
gives  back  the  Iroquois  prisoners  held  in  Canada,         July  15. 

Gov.  Nanfan's  conference  with  the  sachems  from  Onondaga  held 
at  Albany  for  more  than  a  week,  results  in  a  deed  from  the 
Indians  to  King  William  III,  of  the  hunting-grounds  situate 
between  Lakes  Ontario,  Erie  and  Huron,  which  these  Indians 
had  taken  sixty  years  previous  from  the  Hurons,         July  19. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Johannis  Schuyler,  David 
Schuyler,  I.  Johannis  Roseboom,  Johannis  Cuyler,  II.  Wes- 
selse  tenBroeck,  Johannis  Abeel,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29 ; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  second  Lord  of  the  Manor,  or  the  fourth 
Patroon,  marries  his  cousin,  Maria,  the  daughter  of  Stephanus 
Van  Cortlandt,  Oct.  15. 

Johannes  Bleecker,  Jun.,  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by 
Lieut. -Gov.  John  Nanfan, 


(See  No.  8.) 


No.  6. 

Jnljaunrs  Ib^rki^r,  Jinn. 


1701 ,  1702. 


No.  8. 
JOHANNES    BLEECKER,   JUN. 

Date  of  ofUce:     1 701 -1702. 

Appointed  by:     Lieutenant-Governor  John  Nanfan. 

Date  of  birth:     May  2,  1668. 

Parents:  Jan  Jansen  (B.),  7th  Mayor,  and  Margariet  Rutse  Jacob- 
sen  Van  Schoenderwoert. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Anna  Costar. 

Date:     October  29,  1693. 

Children:  (9-6  s.  3  d.)  Johannes  (1694),  Geertruy  (1696,  m. 
Abraham  Wendell),  Hendrik  (1699),  Nicholas  (b.  1702, 
m.  Margarita  Roseboom),  Hendrik  (1706),  Margarita  (1709, 
m.  Gerrit  Marselis),  Anna  (1712),  Jacob  (1715),  Anthonv 
(1718). 

Residence:  Northwest  corner  North  Pearl  street  and  Maiden  lane 
(to  Chapel  street). 

Occupation:     Interpreter  to  Indians. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     December  20,  1738. 

Place  of  death:     Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     Dutch  Church,  on  December  23. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Carried  captive  to  Canada  1686;  returned  1687. 
Recorder,  1700.  Member  of  General  Assembly,  170 1-2. 
Indian  interpreter. 


No.  8.  JOHANNES    BLEECKER,    JUN.  163 

1701-1702. 

(Continued   from  No.  7.) 
1701. 


Johannes  Bleecker,  Jun.,  is  sworn  as  the  INIayor  of  Albany,  to 
succeed  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  having  been  commissioned  by 
Lieut. -Governor  John  Nanfan, 

John  Collins,  lieutenant  of  Captain  Henry  Holland's  English  gar- 
rison at  Albany,  marries  Mrs.  Margaret  Verplanck,  widow  of 
Jacobus  A^erplanck  and  the  daughter  of  Philip  Schuyler, 

Nov.  2. 


1702. 


Col.  Wolfgang  William  Romer  plans  Fort  Anne  and  has  four  hun- 
dred loads  of  stone  and  one  hundred  tons  of  cement  drawn 
for  its  construction,  April. 

Edward  Hyde  (Viscount  Cornbury)  succeeds  Lt.-Gov.  Nanfan  in 
administration  of  Province  of  New  York,  as  governor.    May  3. 

Garrison,  consisting  of  176  soldiers,  commanded  by  Maj.  Ingoldsby, 

June. 

Colonel  Romer  goes  on  a  journey  to  Boston,  June. 

Queen  Anne  (born  at  London  Feb.  6,  1665,  daughter  of  James  II. 
and  Anne  Hyde)  proclaimed  queen  of  England.  June  17. 

Governor  Hyde  visits  Albany  and  finds  the  soldiers  eight  weeks  in 

arrears  of  subsistence  and  clothed  so  they  barely  had  "  where- 

•  withal  to  cover  their  nakedness/'  July  5. 

In  continued  absence  of  Col.  Romer,  Gov.  Hyde  tired  of  waiting, 
changes  the  design  of  Fort  Anne  and  lays  the  first  stone  of 
the  fort,  Aug.  15. 

Colonel  Romer  returns  from  Boston,  Aug.  19. 

The  four  hundred  loads  of  stone  entirely  used  in  haste  of  construc- 
tion, fearing  an  attack  by  the  French  from  the  west  of  city, 

Aug.  26. 

Gov.  Hyde  writes  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  respecting  the  condition 
of  the  fort  at  Albany:  "The  fort  is  in  a  miserable  condition. 
It  is  a  stockadoed  fort  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  long 
and  seventy  foot  wide,  the  stockadoes  are  almost  all  roten  to 
that  degree  that  I  can  with  ease  push  them  down.  There  is 
but  three  and  twenty  guns  in  the  fort,  most  of  them  unservice- 
able, the  carryages  *  *  *  so  honey-combed  that  they 
cannot   be    fired    M-ithout    danger,      *      *      *      Schenectadv    is 


164  JOHANNES    BLEECKER,    JUN.  No.  8. 


1702. 


twenty  miles  from  Albany  upon  another  river  by  which  the 
french  must  come  if  they  attempt  anything  on  Albany.  This 
is  an  open  Village.  It  was  formerly  stockadoed  round  but 
since  the  peace  no  care  having  been  taken  to  repair  the  stock- 
adoes  they  are  all  down.  There  is  a  Stockadoed  Fort  but 
indeed  it  is  more  like  a  pound  than  a  fort.  There  is  eight 
Guns  in  it,  not  above  three  fit  for  service,  no  Garrison  in  it 
when  I  came,  but  a  Serjeant  and  twelve  men,  no  powder  nor 
shot,  neither  great  nor  small,  nor  no  place  to  put  it  into. 
*  *  *  By  Coll.  Schuyler's  care  the  Regiment  of  the  Militia 
of  the  County  of  Albany  is  in  pretty  good  condition  but  that 
is  perfectly  owing  to  his  care."  Sept.  24. 

Albert  Janse  Ryckman  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by  Gov- 
ernor Edward  Hyde 

Charter    election,    Common    Council :     Johannis    Schuyler,    David 

Schuyler,  I.     Johannis  Roseboom,  Johannis  Cuyler,  II.     Hen- 

drick    Hanse,    Johannis    Mingael,    III.      Election,    Sept.    29; 

sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

*         *         • 


(See  No.  9.) 


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No.  9. 

ALBERT   JANSE   RYCKMAN. 

Date  of  office:     1702-1703. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  Edward  Hyde. 

Date  of  birth:     Before  1663. 

Place  of  birth:     Beverwyck. 

Parents:     Jan  Janse   (R.)   and  Tryntje  Janse. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Neeltje  Ouackenbos. 

Children:     (12-5   s.   7   d.)    Johannes,   Albert,  Tryntje,    Pieter    (m. 

Cornelia    Keteltas),    Harmanus,    Margaret,    Catharina    (m. 

Anthony    Bries),     ^laria     (m.     Barent    Bratt),    Magdalena 

(1685),  Tobias  (b.  1686,  m.  Helena  Beeckman),  Magdalena 

(1689),  Ragel    (1692). 
Residence:     Near  southwest  corner  Hudson  avenue  and  Broadway. 
Occupation:     IJrewer. 
Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 
Date  of  death:     January,  1737. 
Place  of  death:     Albany. 
Date  of  burial:     On  January  12th. 
Title:     Captain. 


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No.  9-  AL15ERT    JAXSE    RVe  K.MAX.  167 

1  702- 1703. 

(Continued   from   No.  8.) 
1702. 


Albert  Janse  Rycknian  is  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany  to  succeed 
Johannes  Bleecker,  Jun.,  having  been  commissioned  such  by 
Governor  Edward  Hyde. 

Robert  Livingston's  Manorial  estate  at  Claverack  described  in  a 
letter  sent  to  the  Crown  at  this  time  as  being  "  i6  miles  long 
and  24  miles  broad,  but  four  or  five  cottages,  occupied  by  men 
too  poor  to  be  farmers ;  but  are  his  vassals." 

Lord  Cornbury,  on  assuming  control  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 
reports  to  the  home  government  at  England  on  his  examina- 
tion of  affairs  that  of  the  entire  militia  in  his  province  there 
was  one  alone  that  was  in  serviceable  condition  and  that  was 
Col.  Pieter  Schuyler's  of  Albany;  continuing:  "In  the  whole 
province  beside  there  is  nothing  like  militia.  It  is  a  thing 
forofot." 


1703. 


Population  of  Albany  counted  stated  as  being  2,273,  January. 

Population  of  the  Province  of  New  York  (the  state),  20,665. 

Work  on  the  new  Fort  Anne  ceases  for  the  year,  February. 

Evert  Ridder  licensed  a  school-teacher,  May  i. 

The  French  king  orders  beaver  fur  introduced  into  the  manufac- 
ture of  hats  in  order  to  aid  the  beaver  trade  of  New  York 
colony.  May. 

Robert  Livingston,  of  the  Claverack  Manor,  sails  from  New  York 
a  second  time,  the  object  of  this  trip  being  to  request  Queen 
Anne  to  commission  him  as  secretary  of  Indian  Affairs  with 
salary,  which  had  been  denied  him  by  the  Governor ;  also  to 
seek  from  the  Crown  payment  for  services  in  quartering  the 
British  troops,  although  some  jealous  men  of  Albany  had 
asserted  to  the  Governor  that  he  had  not  furnished  supplies 
as  contracted,  and  he  also  desired  to  secure  Protestant  clergy 
to  preach  to  the  Indians,  June  2. 

Robert  Livingston's  ship  is  captured  off  the  English  coast  by  a 
French  privateer,  and  he  is  plundered  of  a  large  part  of  his 
valuable  documents,  June. 

Lord  Cornbury  (Gov.  Edward  Hyde)  arrives  at  Albany  for  an 
important  conference  with  his  allies,  the  Five  Nations,    July  5. 


l68  ALBERT    JAx\SE    RVCK^JAN.  No.  9. 


1703. 


Col.  Pieter  Schuyler  (ex-Mayor)  is  requested  to  visit  Onondaga 
and  to  learn,  while  arranging  with  the  sachems  for  a  conference 
at  Albany  with  the  Governor,  why  the  "  black  gowns  "  (French 
priests)  were  allowed,  contrary  to  agreement,  to  reside  among 
the  Indians,  July. 

Col.  Pieter  Schuyler  goes  among  the  Indian  tribes  presenting  a 
number  of  peace  belts  that  he  requests  distributed  among  the 
Indian  villages  as  tokens  of  friendship  with  the  colonists, 
hoping  thereby  to  avert  future  scalping  parties  making  raids  on 
the  whites,  August. 

Johannes  Schuyler  commissioned  the  ]\Iayor  of  Albany  by  Governor 
Edward  Hyde, 

•         •         • 


(See  No.   lo.) 


No.  lO. 
,  1703 ,  1706, 


No.  lo. 
JOHANNES    SCHUYLER. 

Date  of  office:     1 703-1 706. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  Edward  Hyde. 

Date  of  birth:    April  5,  1668. 

Place  of  birth:     Rensselaerswyck. 

Parents:     Philip  Pieterse  (S.)  and  Margarita  Van  Slichtenhorst. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Elizabeth  Staats  (Wendell). 

Date:     April  25,  1695. 

Children:  (4-2  s.  2  d.)  Philip  (1695),  Johannes  (b.  1697,  m. 
Cornelia  Van  Cortlandt),  Margarita  (the  "American  Lady," 
b.  1701,  m.  Philip  Schuyler),  Catalyntje  (b.  1704,  m.  Cornelis 
Cuyler,  20th  Mayor). 

Residence:     Southeast  corner  State  and  Pearl  streets. 

Occupation:     Military.     Trader.     River  transports. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     July  25,  1747. 

Place  of  death:     Southeast  corner  State  and  Pearl  streets. 

Place  of  burial:     Dutch  Church,  on  March  2d. 

Title:     Captain. 

Remarks:  Captain's  commission,  1690.  Attached  to  General  Win- 
throp's  army,  1691.  Indian  Commissioner,  1705-23.  Mem- 
ber of  Colonial  Assembly,  September  i,  1710-March  3,  1713. 
Alderman,  first  ward,  September,  1738  and  1739.  Brother 
of  Mayor  Pieter  Schuyler.  Brave  in  discharge  of  duties 
with  Indians. 


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No.  10.  JOHANNES    SCHUYLER.  IJT 

1703-1704. 

( Contimied  from  No.  9.) 
1703. 


Johannes  Schuyler  is  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany  to  succeed 
Albert  Janse  Ryckman,  having  been  commissioned  such  by 
Lord  Cornbury  (Edward  Hyde),  Governor  of  the  Province 
of  New  York, 

Charter  election,  Common  Council ;  David  Schuyler,  Evert  Bancker, 
I.  Johannis  Cuyler,  Johannis  Roseboom,  II.  Hendrick  Hanse, 
Johannis  Mingael,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in,    Oct.  14.. 


1704. 


Patent  granted  to  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  eldest  son  of  Jeremiah- 
Van  Rensselaer,  deceased,  for  entire  Manor,  including  the 
Clave  rack  patent,  jMay  20. 

Common  Council  votes  to  erect  a  market-house  in  the  middle  of 
Yonkers  (State)  street,  "opposite  to  ye  lane  between  ye  house 
of  Maj.  Dirck  Wesselse  ten  Broeck  and  Evert  Wendell,  Senr. 
(Middle  Lane,  later  James  street)  at  ye  Citty's  charges,"  to  be 
open  Saturdays,  May  30. 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  conveys  to  his  younger  brother,  Hendrick,. 
the  Claverack  or  Lower  Manor,  and  1,000  acres  of  the  Upper 
Manor,  on  east  side  of  the  river,  including  the  site  of  Green- 
bush  (Rensselaer),  on  making  an  amicable  division  of  the  vast 
estate,  and  to  his  sister,  Maria,  he  gives  a  farm  of  a  few 
hundred  acres  adjoining  the  Schuyler  Flatts ;  to  his  sister, 
Anna,  a  farm  situate  at  the  site  of  Bethlehem,  June  i^ 

Common  Council  directs  property  owners  to  lay  a  width  of  eight 
feet  of  sidewalk  before  their  houses  or  lots,  or  forfeit  15  shil- 
lings, September 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Evert  Bancker,  David  Schuy- 
ler, I.  Johannis  Roseboom,  Johannis  Cuyler,  II.  Hendrick 
Hanse,  Johannis  Mingael,  III.     Election.  .Sept.  29;  sworn  in. 

Oct.   14. 

Rev.  Thoroughgood  Moor  sent  out  by  the  Church  of  England  to- 
instruct  the  Mohawks  in  religious  matters,  but  is  vigorousl}^ 
opposed  and  his  work  made  difficult  by  fur-trading  interests.. 


1^2                                                 JOHANNES    SCHUYLER.  Xo.  lO, 

1704-1705. 

Capt.  Higby  reporting  to  the  Common  Conncil  that  his  command 

requires  quarters,  it  is  resolved  that  lot  be  taken  to  see  what 

citizens  shall  house  them^  Nov.  21. 


1705. 


Slaves  selling-  as  high  as  $325,  January. 

Numerous  slaves  escaping  to  Canada,  the  justices  of  the  peace  solicit 
the  city  administration  to  present  to  the  assembly  of  Province 
of  New  York  the  necessity  of  protecting  owners  of  slaves  by 
passing  a  law%  June  5. 

Provincial  assembly  passes  law :  "  All  and  every  negro  slave  or 
slaves  belonging  to  any  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  and  county 
of  Albany,  who  shall  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  August 
of  this  present  year  of  our  Lord,  1705,  be  found  traveling  forty 
miles  above  the  city  of  Albany,  at  or  above  a  certain  place 
called  Sarachtoge,  unless  in  company  of  his,  her,  or  their 
master,  mistress,  or  such  employed  by  them,  or  either  of  them, 
and  be  thereof  convicted  by  the  oaths  of  two  or  more  credible 
witnesses  before  the  court  of  sessions  of  the  peace  of  this  city 
and  county  *  =)=  *  shall  suffer  the  pains  of  death  as  in 
cases  of  felony,"  Aug.  i. 

Rev.  Thoroughgood  ]\Ioor,  of  England,  returns  to  New  York  city, 
from  his  services  among  the  IMohawks.  having  met  with  too 
much  opposition  by  fur  traders  of  Albany  county. 

Robert  Livingston  commissioned  "  town-clerk,  clerk  of  the  peace, 
clerk  of  the  common  pleas,  in  our  county  and  city  of  Albany, 
and  the  secretary,  or  agent,  of  the  government  of  New  York 
to  the  Indians  "  by  Queen  Anne,  a  cousin  of  Lord  Cornbury, 
Governor  of  New  York  Province,  which  confirmation  of  ap- 
pointments again  made  his  what  had  been  abrogated  by  Lord 
Bellomont  when  he  was  nettled  by  the  altercation  at  Boston 
in  July,  1699,  when  he  was  charged  with  employing  Captain 
Kidd  as  a  pirate,  Sept.  29. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  David  Schuyler,  Evert  Bancker, 
L  Johannis  Roseboom,  Johannis  Cuyler,  IL  Hendrick  Han- 
sen. Johannis  ]\Iingael,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29:  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


No.  TO.  JOHANNES    SCHUYLER.  1 73 

1706. 


1706. 

i^laves  punished  l)_v  whipping-  about  tlie  city  I)y  a  paid  man,       May. 

David  Davidse  Schuyler  commissioned  [Mayor  of  Albany  by  Lord 
Cornbury  (Edward  Hyde)  Governor  of  the  Province  of  New 
York,  September. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Evert  Bancker,  Thomas  Wil- 
liams, I.  Johannis  Cuyler,  Johannis  Roseboom,  II.  Hendrick 
Hansen.  Erans  Winne.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in,    Oct.  14. 

•         •         • 
(See  No.   ii.) 


No.  11. 


Sauitu  iautii0^  g^rltual^r. 


,  1706 ,  1707. 


No.  II. 
DAVID    DAVIDSE   SCHUYLER. 

Date  of  oMce:     1 706-1 707. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  Edward  Hyde. 

Date  of  birth:     June  11,  1669. 

Place  of  birth:     "  The  Flatts." 

Parents:     David   (S.)   and  Catalyn  A^erplanck. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Elsje  Rutgers. 

Date:     Albany,  January  i,  1694. 

Children:  (6-4  s.  2  d.)  Catrina  (1694,  d.  y.),  David  (b.  1697,  m. 
Elizabeth  Marschalk),  Harmanus  (b.  1700,  m.  Jannetje 
Bancker),  Catherina  (1703),  Myndert  (b.  171 1,  m.  Elizabeth 
Wessels),  Anthony  (1715). 

Residence:     South  corner  Broadway  and  Steuben  street. 

Occupation:     Trader. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     December  16,  171 5. 

Title :     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Alderman.  Justice.  County  Sheriff,  1705.  Indian  Com- 
missioner.   Delegate  to  Council  of  the  Onondagas. 


II.     DAVID  DAVIDSE  SCHUYLER. 
1706-1707. 
From  an  oil  painting  made  from  life,  owned  in   1904  by   ?\Irs.  John  V.  L. 
Pruyn,   Albany. 


No.  II.  DAVID    DAVIDSE    SCHUYLER.  1/7 

1  706- 1707. 

(Continued  from  No.  lo.) 
1706. 

David  Davidse  Schuyler  is  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  succeed- 
ing" Johannes  Schuyler,  having  been  appointed  by  Lord  Corn- 
bury  (Edward  Hyde)  Governor  of  the  Province  of  New  York. 

Fire  department,  known  as  fyre-masters,  ordered  to  examine 
chimneys  each  fortnight,  the  owners  of  unclean  ones  to  be  fined 
three  shillings,  Dec.  7. 

Dutch  Reformed  church  of  Albany  celebrates  its  semi-centennial 
of  locating  at  Market  street  (Broadway)  and  Yonkers  (State) 
street. 


1707. 


Charter  privilege,  giving  right  to  purchase  five  hundred  acres  of 
land  at  ''  Schaihtecogue  "  of  the  Indians,  taken  advantage  of, 
and  land  purchased  consists  of  a  tract  on  east  bank  of  Hudson 
river,  above  Half-Moon,  running  on  the  south  to  lands  of 
Barent  Albertse  Bratt  and  Egbert  Teunise,  northward  two 
miles  from  Schagticoke  creek,  extending  at  the  north  line 
twelve  miles  to  the  east,  and  on  the  southern  line  fourteen  miles 
eastward,  for  which  payment  is  made  as  follows :  "  Two 
blankets,  12  dufifel-cloth  coats,  20  shirts,  2  gunns,  12  pounds 
of  powder,  36  pounds  of  lead,  8  gallons  of  rum,  2  casks  of 
beer,  2  rolls  of  tobacco.  10  gallons  of  Madeira  wine  and  a 
number  of  pipes,"  and  the  Indian  proprietors  "  to  receive  an- 
nually for  ten  years  in  the  month  of  October,  i  blanket,  i  shirt, 
I  pair  of  stockings,  i  lap  or  apron,  i  keg  of  rum,  3  pounds  of 
powder,  6  pounds  of  lead,  and  12  pounds  of  tobacco,"  and 
twelve  acres  of  the  tract  to  be  fenced  at  city's  expense  to  be 
set  apart  for  use  of  the  Indians  selling  the  land,  Feb.  28. 

Lord  Cornbury,  nearing  the  end  of  his  term  as  Governor  of  New 
York  Province,  becomes  very  unpopular  by  such  acts  as  prose- 
cuting two  Presbyterian  ministers  for  preaching  without 
licenses,  and  insisting  that  no  one  shall  preach  or  teach  without 
obtaining  his  consent,  and  his  ignoble  character  and  habits, 
sordid  and  avaricious  in  his  dealings,  culminate  in  the  eyes  of 
the   colonists   when  they  behold  him   dressed   in  public  like   a. 


178  DAVID    DAVIDSE    SCHUYLER.  No.  II. 

1707. 

woman,  in  which  sort  of  costume  his  portraits  show  him,  which 
pecuHarity  calls  forth  this  passage  in  a  letter  from  Lewis 
Morris  to  the  secretary  of  state  in  arraigning  him  for  bribery 
and  corruption  as  Governor  of  New  Jersey  (holding  similar 
office  in  New  York  at  the  time),  which  reads:  "I  must  say 
something  of  him  (Cornbury),  which  perhaps  nobody  else  will 
think  it  worth  the  while  to  tell.  He  dresses  publicly  in 
woman's  clothes  every  day,  and  puts  a  stop  to  all  public  busi- 
ness while  he  is  pleasing  himself  with  that  peculiar  but  detest- 
able magot." 
Evert  Bancker  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by  Lord  Corn- 
bury,  September. 
•         •         • 

(See  No.  3.) 


No.  12. 


Unhurt  IGtutngstnu,  Jun. 


,  1710 .  1719. 


Xo.   12. 

ROBERT  LRIXGSTOX,  JUX. 

Date  of  office:     1710-1719. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  Robert  Hunter. 

Date  of  birth:     About  1663. 

Place  of  birth:     Scotland. 

Parents:     James  (L.). 

Education:     Good  schooling. 

Married  to:     Margarita  Schuyler   (dau.  of  ist  Mayor). 

Date:     August  26,  1697. 

Children:  (6-4  s.  2  d)  James,  Pieter,  Johannus,  Thomas,  Angelica 
(Van  Rensselaer),  Janet  (]>eekman). 

Residence:     Xorthwest  corner  State  and  Xorth  Pearl  streets. 

Occupation:     Merchant  of  wealth. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed  (or  Presbyterian). 

Date  of  death:     April  20,  1725. 

Place  of  death :     Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     In  Dutch  Church,  on  April  21. 

Title:     Commissioner. 

Remarks:  Came  to  America  in  1687,  aged  about  16  years.  ]\Iem- 
ber  14th  and  15th  Assemblies,  1711-15.  Indian  Commis- 
sioner, 1715-20.  Secretary  of  City,  1721.  Delegated  by 
Governor  to  visit  Canada.     X'egotiated  with  Six  X'ations. 


12.     ROBERT  LIVINGSTON,  Jun. 
1710-1719. 
From   a   photograph    made   by   Austin   Engraving   Co.,    from   an    engraving 
owr.ed  in  1904  by  The  Albany  Institute. 


No.  12.  ROBERT    LIVINGSTON,    J  UN.  l8l 


1710. 


(Continued   from   No.   2.) 
17  10. 


Robert  Livingston,  Jun.,  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  succeeding- 
Johannes  Abeel,  having  been  appointed  such  by  Governor 
Robert  Hunter,  September. 

Population  of  Albany  county  about  3,000. 

Gov.  Robert  Hunter  seeks  a  place  for  the  exiled  Palatines  who  had 
come  over  from  England,  they  having  previously  been  driven 
there  from  Germany,  by  persecutions,  but  found  no  work  in 
that  country,  and  he  buys  of  Robert  Livingston  6,000  acres  near 
Claverack,  paying  400  English  pounds,  settling  a  portion  of 
the  exiles  there  and  others  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Hudson, 
contracting  also  with  Livingston  to  furnish  them  with  "  bread 
and  beer  "  for  six  months. 

Rev.  Thomas  Barclay,  the  chaplain  of  Fort  Anne,  who  had  been 
sent  to  Albany  in  1708,  writes  to  the  secretary  of  the  Society 
for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts :  "  A  great 
many  Dutch  children,  who  at  my  first  arrival  were  altogether 
ignorant  of  the  English  tongue,  can  distinctly  say  our  cate- 
chism, and  make  the  responses  at  prayers.  *  *  *  I  am 
sorry  to  tell  you,  sir,  that  I  am  afraid  the  missionaries  that  are 
coming  over,  will  find  hard  work  of  it.  and  if  the  commander 
of  that  fort  be  not  a  person  of  singular  piety  and  virtue,  all 
their  endeavours  will  be  ineffectual ;  these,  here,  that  trade  with 
them,  are  loath  that  any  religion  (should)  get  any  footing 
among  them;  besides,  these  savages  are  so  given  to  drinking 
of  that  nasty  liquor,  rum,  that  they  are  lost  to  all  that  is  good. 
I  must  tell  you  that  the  Masque  (Mohawks)  of  whom  one  of 
the  four  that  were  lately  in  England  was  a  Sachem,  have  not 
above  fifty  men.  All  the  five  nations  cannot  make  two  thou- 
sand, and  of  these,  in  number,  the  Senekas  are  near  one  thou- 
sandi  and  most  of  them  are  in  the  French  interest.  Hendrick, 
the  great  prince  that  was  so  honoured  in  England,  cannot  com- 
mand ten  men;  the  other  three  were  not  Sachems.  How  far 
her  majesty  and  the  society  have  been  imposed  upon,  I  leave 
it  to  you  to  judge.  I  beg  leave  to  tell  you,  that  the  missionaries 
that  are  sent  over  must  have  an  honourable  allowance  and  large 
presents  to  give,  otherwise  they  will  have  but  few  proselytes; 
and  great  care  must  be  taken  that  they  be  well  used,  otherwise 
their  mission  will  prove  ineffectual  as  Mr.  Moor's."       Sept.  26. 


l82  ROBERT    LIVINGSTON,    JUN.  No.  12. 

1710-1711. 

Lansing  (Visscher,  later  Pemberton)  house  erected  at  the  north- 
east comer  of  North  Pearl  and  Columbia  streets,  October. 

Seven  of  the  nine  magistrates  serving  had  been  (or  were  to  be) 
mayors  of  the  city,  October. 

Rev.  Thomas  Barclay  preaches  once  a  month  at  Schenectady  to  the 
garrison  of  40  soldiers,  the  sixteen  English  and  about  one  hun- 
dred Dutch  families,  November. 

After  the  reduction  of  Port  Royal,  Canada,  in  which  expedition 
Philip  Livingston,  the  2nd  proprietor  of  Livingston  Manor  (son 
of  Robert  Livingston,  and  husband  of  Catharine  Van  Brugh, 
of  Anneke  Jans'  family)  took  part,  he  started  in  October  on  a 
journey  by  foot  to  Quebec  to  bear  despatches,  and  living  for 
over  a  week  on  berries  and  leaves,  does  not  reach  there  until 
the  winter  snow,  Dec.  16. 


1711. 


Lieut.  John  Collins,  commanding  30  soldiers  of  Captain  Henry 
Llolland's  English  garrison  at  y\lbany,  quells  the  riot  among 
the  exiled  Palatines  who  had  settled  at  Livingston  Manor  and 
had  become  obstreperous  at  not  earning  a  livelihood  on  their 
farms,  January. 

Johannes  Abeel,  formerly  the  2nd  Mayor  of  Albany,  dies,      Jan.  28. 

Gov.  Tiunter  learns  that  there  are  two  Erench  officers  and  30  men 
building  a  fort  at  Onondaga,  Apr.  25. 

i^A.  Pieter  Schuyler  receives  a  commission  from  Gov.  Hunter  to  go 
at  once  and  see  the  Onondaga  Indians  as  to  the  reason  they 
permit  the  French  to  build  a  fort  and  a  Catholic  church  in  their 
midst,  which  latter  construction  would  indicate  a  leaning  to- 
ward the  Erench.  Apr.  30. 

I'ol.  Pieter  Schuyler  starts  for  Onondaga,  accompanied  by  Captains 
Roseboom  and  Bleecker,  Nicholas  Schuyler  (his  nephew,  aged 
19  years),  four  men,  nine   Indians  and  Interpreter  Van  Eps, 

May  I. 

Col.  Pieter  Schuyler  arrives  at  the  Oneida  castle  of  the  Indians, 
where  three  sachems  and  several  warriors  join  his  party,  and 
he  learns  that  the  French  had  made  a  present  of  ammunition  to 
the  value  of  about  $3,000,  and  when  the  Erench  officer  in  charge 
there  heard  that  he  was  coming  he  had  ceased  work  upon  the 
fort,  and  hurried  to  the  lake  where  were  the  canoes  of  his 
party.  May  6. 


LANSING   HOUSE. 

It  was  erected  in  1710  outside  the  stockade,  at  n.  e.  cor.  No. 
Pearl  and  Columbia  sts.,  and  was  taken  down  in  1886  for  A. 
Business  College.  Indians  lodged  therein  while  coming  to  trade. 
Also  occupied  by  widow  Visscher,  and  last  of  all  by  Howard 
Pemberton. 


No.  12.  ROBERT    LIVINGSTON,    J  UN.  183 

1711-17  12. 

Col.  Pieter  Schu}'ler  arrives  at  Onondaga  and  is  cordially  received. 
He  discovers  a  blockhouse  30  feet  long,  with  loopholes,  in 
process  of  construction,  May  7. 

Sachems  of  the  Five  Nations  convene  and  say  that  they  had  heard 
the  English  were  to  drive  them  out  of  their  lands  ;  but  Pieter 
Schuyler  overthrows  the  idea,  and  they  accede  to  his  request  to 
destroy  the  new  French  fort.  May  8. 

•  Pieter  Schuyler  and  his  party  arrive  back  at  Albany,  after  a  journey 
that  might  have  resulted  in  his  death  had  the  French,  greater  in 
number,  turned  the  Onondagas  against  him ;  but  he  had  suc- 
ceeded so  well  that  everyone  in  the  province  of  Xew  York 
spoke  highly  of  his  courage  and  sagacity,  ]May  15. 

Col.  Pieter  Schuyler's  verbal  request  to  Queen  Anne,  on  his  visit 
in  fore  part  of  1710,  heeded,  and  she  orders  5,000  troops  sent 
from  England  and  Flanders  to  the  provinces  to  subdue  Canada, 

Fleet  of  12  men-of-war  and  46  small  vessels  sail  from  Boston  for 
the  St.  Lawrence  river,  and  2,000  men,  reinforced  by  800 
Indians,  assemble  at  Albany,  July  30. 

Lieut. -Gov.  Xicholson  moves  with  liis  forces  towards  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  August. 

The  fleet,  which  was  counted  upon  to  co-operate,  is  driven  upon 
rocks  of  the  St.  Lawrence  river  in  a  fog,  and  eight  trans- 
ports, with  800  men,  are  ■  lost,  resulting  in  the  commander 
ordering  departure  of  remainder  for  England,  Sept.  11. 

News  of  the  disaster  is  sent  to  Lieut. -Gov.  Nicholson  at  Fort 
George,  and  he  returns  to  Albany,  September. 

Charter  election.  Common  Cotmcil :  David  Schuyler,  Harmanus 
Wendell,  L  Gerrit  Roseboom,  Abraham  Cuyler,  IL  Wessell 
tenBroeck,  Hendrick  Hansen,  HL     Election,  Oct.  14;  sworn  in, 

Oct.   14. 


17  12. 


Queen  Anne  of  England  presents  silver  communion  service  to  the 
English  church  at  Albany,  St.  Peter's,  January. 

Dominie  Dellius  succeeded  by  Rev.  Petrus  \*an  Driessen  as  pastor 
of  the  Reformed  Dutch  church. 

Public  well  constructed  on  Market  street  (Broadway)  north  of 
Yonkers  (State)  street.  July. 

Gov.  Robert  Hunter  having  used  his  private  fortune  and  credit  to 
keep  up  the  colonial  militia  because  the  several  Assemblies  had 
refused  appropriations  through  poverty  of  the   Province,  and 


184  ROBERT    LIVIXGSTON,    JUN.  No.  12. 

1712-1714. 

the  Crown  allowing  his  drafts  to  be  protested,  as  well  as  spend- 
ing his  money  in  snpport  of  the  exiled  Palatines  at  Hudson,  is 
gladdened  by  the  order  to  cease  all  military  expeditions,  Oct.  i8. 
Charter  election,  Common  Council :  David  Schuyler,  Harmanus 
Wendell,  I.  Abraham  Cuyler,  John  Visher,  II.  Hendrick 
Hansen,  Wessell  tenBroeck,  HI.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


1713. 


Ordinance  to  prohibit  coasting  on  streets  in  winter,  January. 

England  and  Erance  conclude  peace  by  treaty  of  Utrecht,  and  latter 
nation  agrees  not  to  molest  the  Five  Nations  as  being  subjects 
of  Great  Britain.  March  31. 

Robert  Barret  appointed  city  bell-man  with  yearly  salary  of  21 
pounds,  60  loads  of  wood  and  2  candles  each  night,  Oct.  31, 
It  being  decided  by  the  Common  Council  as  "very  necessary 
and  convenient  "  that  a  bell-man  shall  hourly  patrol  the  city 
streets  from  10  o'clock  at  night  until  4  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
to  cry  out  the  hours  and  the  condition  of  the  weather,    Oct.  31. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  David  Schuyler,  Harmanus 
Wendell.  I.  Abraham  Cuyler,  Johannis  Roseboom,  II.  Hen- 
drick Hansen,  Wessell  tenBroeck.  HI.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in.  Oct.  14. 


1714. 


'Population  of  Albany  c(nmty  3,029,  of  which  number  458  are 
slaves,  January. 

Population  of  the  city's  three  wards  1,136.  of  which  number  495  are 
white  males.  528  are  white  females.  47  male  slaves,  66  female 
slaves,  Januarv\ 

St.  Peter's  church  (first  edifice)  granted  license  to  build  by  Gov. 
Robert  Hunter.  May  31. 

Gov.  Robert  Hunter  heeds  petition  of  officers  of  Reformed  Dutch 
church  to  be  allowed  to  replace  former  edifice  because  of  its 
wretched  condition,  and  approves  new  building.  June  18. 

Mohawk  Indians  deed  a  tract  of  2,000  acres  on  the  north  side  of 
the  Maquaas  (Mohawk)  river,  on  the  site  of  the  ancient  Indian 
village  of  Caughnawaga  (nearby  the  site  of  Fonda.  N.  Y.)  to 


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No.  12.  ROBERT    LIVINGSTON,    J  UN.  1 85 

1714-1715. 

Lieut.  John  Collins  of  the  English  garrison  at  Albany,  to  his 
wife,  Margaret  Schuyler,  and  their  son  Edward,  being  partic- 
ularly pleased  by  the  many  kindnesses  of  Mrs.  Collins,  July  lo. 

Barent  Pieterse  Coeymans  secures  letters  patent  for  land  (Coey- 
mans,  N.  Y. )  from  Queen  Anne,  Aug.  6. 

Centennial  of  Hendrick  Corstiaensen's  occupation  of  Castle  ( Van 
Rensselaer)  island,  as  Fort  Nassau,  September. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Harmanus  Wendell,  Goose  van 
Schaick,  I.  Johannis  Roseboom,  Abraham  Cuyler,  II.  Hen- 
drick Hansen,  Wessell  tenBroeck,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29: 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

St.  Peter's  church  granted  land  east  of  Fort  Frederick  at  the  head  of 
Yonkers  (State)  street,  in  centre  of  said  street  (east  of  site 
of  3rd  edifice)  90x60  feet,  Oct.  21. 

St.  Peter's  church  erection  opposed  by  the  city  at  Council  meeting 
called  to  question  the  right  of  the  crown  (Queen  Anne)  to 
convey  land  owned  bv  municipality  and  enjoins  the  workmen, 

Nov.  8. 

Common  Council  releases  lot  to  Reformed  Dutch  church's  officers, 

December. 


17  15. 


Reformed  Dutch  church  ( its  3rd  edifice  )  being  constructed  of  stone 
built  about  its  second  edifice  of  brick,  at  Market  (Broadway) 
and  Yonker  (  State )  street,  described  then  as  to  location :  "  The 
Dutch  Church  Scituate,  lying,  and  being  in  the  said  City  of 
Albany,  in  the  high  street  otherwise  called  the  yonkers  street 
nigh  the  bridge  (over  the  Rutten  kill).  Containing  in  length 
on  the  South  side  seaven  Rodd  three  foot  four  inches,  on  the 
North  Side  seaven  Rood  three  foot  one  Inch  Rynland  measure, 
in  breadth  on  the  East  and  West  Side  Sixty-one  foot  and  five 
Inches,  wood  measure." 

St.  Peter's  church  construction  stopped  by  city  corporation  by  filing 
remonstrance  against  encroachment  on  rights  of  the  city,  writ- 
ing to  the  governor :  "  It  seems  to  us,  on  their  side,  either  as 
an  encroachment  on  ye  rights  of  ye  sd  city  or  a  disregard  to 
ye  Comonalty,  however  to  shew  that  we  are  not  against  that 
pious  design  but  reather  to  promite  we  have  offered  them  a 
more  conveinent  lott,  and  are  .still  willing  to  grant  the  same 
altho'  they  have  refused  to  accept  it,"  March  3. 


l86  ROBERT    LIVINGSTON,    JUN.  No.  12. 

1715-1716. 

The  governor  does  not  abrogate  the  rights  of  St.  Peter's  church  to 
build  at  the  site  assigned  previously  and  the  Common  Council 
resolves  to  prosecute  Rev.  Thomas  Barclay.  Col.  Peter  Mat- 
thews and  John  Dunbar  for  encroaching  upon  city  land.  The 
men  are  enjoined,  persist  and  are  arrested ;  they  secure  bail 
and  continue  to  work  on  foundation,  April  8. 

Common  Council  sends  an  express  messenger  by  canoe  to  see  the 
governor  at  New  York  to  prevent  further  work  on  St.  Peter's 
church ;  but  Governor  Hunter  does  not  abrogate  his  permit  to 
build.  May. 

Public  wells  constructed  in  each  of  the  three  wards.  June. 

Following  a  survey  of  Robert  Livingston's  IManor  fClaverack) 
near  site  of  Hudson,  N.  Y.,  made  in  1714,  which  showed  his 
tract  contained  160,240  acres  (Judge  Smith  in  his  History  of 
New  York  placing  it  at  300,000  acres)  he  is  given  a  confirma- 
tory patent  under  Gov.  Hunter  to  provide  against  the  bovuid- 
aries  being  improperly  stated  in  the  Mohegan  Indians'  deed  of 
July  12.  1683,  and  it  is  passed  and  sealed,  Oct.  i. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  David  Schuyler,  Goose  van 
Schaick,  I.  Johannis  Roseboom.  Abraham  Cuyler,  H.  Hen- 
drick  Hansen,  Wessell  tenBroeck,  HI.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Reformed  Dutch  church  discontinues  services  for  two  weeks  while 
removing  the  wooden  structure  within  new  edifice,         October. 

Reformed  Dutch  church  holds  its  first  service  in  its  new  (the  third) 
edifice,  Oct.  30. 

Reformed  Dutch  church  ?\Iarket  (Broadway)  and  Yonkers  (State) 
street,  consecrated,  Nov.  13. 


1716. 


Philip  Livingston  (Signer  of  Declaration)  born  at  northwest  corner 
of  State  and  Pearl  streets,  Jan.   15. 

St.  Peter's  church  being  built  in  middle  of  Yonkers  (State)  street. 
Charter  election.  Common  Council :     Goose  van  Schaick,  Johannis 
Schuyler,  I.     Johannis  Roseboom,  Abraham  Cuyler,  II.     Hen- 
drick    Hansen,    Wessell    tenBroeck,    HI.     Election,    Sept.    29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


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No.  12.  ROBERT    LIVINGSTON,    JUN.  187 

1717-1718. 


1717. 


Act  annexing  Manor  of  Livingston  to  Albany  county,  Alay  2^. 

Dirck  Wesselse  Ten  Broeck,  who  had  been  Albany's  fourth  Mayor, 
dies  at  Clermont,  N.  Y.,  on  his  estate  known  as  "  Bouwerie." 

Sept.  1 8. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Johannis  Schuyler,  Goose  van 
Schaick.  I.  Johannis  Roseboom,  Abraham  Cuyler,  II.  Hen- 
drick  Hansen,  Wessell  tenBroeck,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Hendrick  \  an  Rensselaer  and  Robert  Livingston  engaged  in  a 
legal  controversy  respecting  the  north  boundary  line  of  the 
latter's  Claverack  land  patent  (site  of  Hudson,  N.  Y.)  Van 
Rensselaer  owner  of  the  northern  area,  they  agree  on  an  inden- 
ture that  \'an  Rensselaer's  south  line  at  its  river  end  be  the 
starting  point,  then  "  east  by  south  in  a  straight  line  24  English 
miles,  as  far  as  it  goes,"  Oct.  30. 

St.  Peter's  church,  the  first  English  church  west  of  the  Hudson 
river,  the  building  43  x  58  feet,  opened  by  its  rector.  Rev. 
Thomas  Barclay,  the  location  being  at  about  the  centre  of  State 
street,  where  Barrack  (  Chapel )  street  would  cross  it,    Nov.  25. 

The  beaver-skins  exported  from  the  colony  of  New  York  during 
the  year  were  calculated  at  a  value  of  $53,520.00,       December. 


1718. 


St.    Peter's    "  Church    Book,"    being    its    written    records,    started, 

Apr.  15. 

Robert  Livingston  elected  speaker  of  the  Assembly,  May. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Myndert  Schuyler,  Goose  van 
Schaick,  I.  Johannis  Roseboom,  Abraham  Cuyler,  II.  Hen- 
drick Hansen,  Johannis  Pruyn,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn 
in,  Oct.  14. 

Few  leases  existing  at  Albany  or  anywhere  near  excepting  those 
held  bv  the  Patroon  of  Van  Rensselaer  Manor,  December. 


l88  ROBERT    LIVINGSTON,    JUN.  No.  12. 

1719. 


1719. 

Pieter  Schuyler  begins  administration  of  Province  of  New  York, 

July  21. 
IMyndert  Schuyler  is  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by  Pieter 

Schuyler  as  President  of  the  Province  of  New  York. 
Charter  election,  Commoix  Council:     Myndert  Schuyler,  Goose  van 
Schaick,  I.     John  Roseboom,  Abraham  Cuyler,   II.     Johannis 
'    Pruyn,  Hendrick  Hansen,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 
•         •         • 

(See  No.  13.) 


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No.  13. 


iKgnftrrt  ^rliugbr. 


,    1719  — Nov.  6,  1720. 


,  1723  — Oct.  13,  1725. 


No.  13. 
MYNDERT  SCHUYLER. 

Date  of  office:     (a)    1719-November  8,  1720. 
(b)    1723-October  13,  1725. 

Appointed  by:     (a)   President  Pieter  Schuyler, 
(b)   Governor  William  Burnet. 

Date  of  birth:     January  16,  1672. 

Place  of  birth:     "The  Flatts." 

Parents:     David  Pieterse  (S.)  and  Catalyn  \^erplanck. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Raj  el  Cuyler. 

Date:     New  Amsterdam,  October  26,  1693. 

Children:  (2)  Rajel,  Anna  (b.  1697,  m.  Johannes  De  Peyster,  i6th 
Mayor) . 

Residence:  South  side  Yonkers  (State)  street.  3rd  east  from  South 
Pearl  street. 

Occupation:     Merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     October  10,  1755. 

Place  of  death:     Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     Dutch  Church,  on  October  21. 

Title:     Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Remarks:  Member  of  Assembly,  October  20,  1702-10;  1713-15; 
1724;  1728-37.  Church  Master,  1706.  Indian  Commis- 
sioner, 1706-20;  1728-46.  Captain  of  militia,  1710.  Alder- 
man, first  ward,  171 8-19.  Colonel  before  1754.  Deacon. 
Bought  land  on  Norman's  Kil  and  Huntersfield  (Schoharie) 
Patent. 


No.  13.  MYNDERT    SCHUYLER.  I9I 


1719-172  3. 


(Continued  from  No.   12.) 
17  19. 


Myndert  Schuyler  is  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany  to  succeed 
Robert  Livingston,  Jun.,  having  been  commissioned  by  Hon. 
Pieter  Schuyler,  President  of  the  Colony  of  New  York. 

Governor  Robert  Hunter  returns  to  England. 

Beaver-skins  valued  at  $37,435  exported  in  17 19. 


1720. 


Irish  first  recorded  in  Albany,  May. 

Dutch  Reformed  church  incorporated,  Aug.  10. 

William  Burnet  begins  administration  of  Province  of  New  York  as 
governor,  Sept.   17. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Harmanus  Wendell,  Goose  van 
Schaick,  I.  Hendrick  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders,  H.  Hen- 
drick  Hansen,  Johannis  Pruyn,  HI.  Election,  Sept.  29 ;  sworn 
in,  Oct.  14. 

Pieter  Van  Brugh  (or  Verbrugge)  is  commissioned  to  be  Mayor  of 
Albany  by  Governor  William  Burnet,  Nov.  9, 

•         •         • 
(See  No.  6.) 


(Continued  from  No.  6.) 
1723. 


Population  of  the  colony  of  New  York  40,564,  Januarv. 

Population  of  Albany  county  6,501  ;  consisting  of  1,512  men,  1,408 
women,  2,773  children,  808  slaves,  January. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Johannis  tenBroeck,  Johannis 
dePeyster,  I.  Hendrick  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders,  H.  Johan- 
nis Pruyn,  Dirck  tenBroeck,  HI.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


192  MYNDERT    SCHUYLER.  No.  I3. 

1723-1725. 

Gov.  William  Burnet  recommends  building  of  small  houses  without 
the  stockade  for  Indians  who  should  come  to  trade,  which  is 
done,  and  city  pays  the  cost,  December. 


1724. 


Col.  Pieter  Schuyler  who  had  been  Albany's  first  Mayor,  serving 
eight  years,  and  the  most  influential  military  man  of  the  entire 
colony  of  New  York  in  prosecuting  Indian  wars  and  wars 
with  the  French,  yet  most  friendly  with  most  of  the  tribes  who 
styled  him  "  Quidor,"  or  "  the  Indians'  friend,"  beloved  of  the 
Iroquois  and  feared  by  the  French  of  Canada,  born  (the  son  of 
Philip  Pieterse)  on  Sept.  17,  1657,  and  married  first  to  Engeltie 
(Angelica)  A'an  Schaick  about  1681,  and  secondly  to  Maria 
Yan  Rensselaer,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer,  manag- 
ing Director  of  Rensselaerwyck,  on  Sept.   14,  1691.  dies 

Feb.  19. 

Captain  Pietrus  Douw  (the  father  of  the  25th  Mayor,  Volckert 
Pietrus  Douw)  the  only  surviving  son  of  Jonas  Douw  and  a 
member  of  the  27th  Council  of  the  Province  of  New  York 
(his  wife  being  Anna  \'an  Rensselaer,  born  at  the  Crailo  at 
Greenbush,  daughter  of  Hendrick  Van  Rensselaer  who  built  it 
about  1642)  erects  for  himself  and  family  a  manorial  home 
at  Douw's  Point,  opposite  the  southern  end  of  Albany,  naming 
it  Wolven  Hoeck,  because  of  the  packs  of  wolves  frequenting 
the  locality, 

Hendrick  Hansen,  who  had  been  the  5th  Mayor  of  Albany,  dies, 

February. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Johannis  tenBroeck,  Johannis 
dePeyster,  I.  Hendrick  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders.  II.  Johan- 
nis Pruyn,  Dirck  tenBroeck,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


1725. 


Robert  Livingston,  Jun.,  born  about  1663  in  Scotland,  son  of  James 
Livingston,  who  had  been  the  12th  Mayor  of  Albany  and  a  man 
of  great  importance  in  the  settlement  of  the  colony  and  dealing 
with  the  Indians,  dies  April  20. 


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No.  13.  MYNDERT   SCHUYLER  I93 

172  5. 

Capt.  Henry  Holland,  commander  of  the  English  garrison  at  this 
city,  and  Capt.  Lancaster  Symes,  wardens  of  St.  Peter's  church, 
write  a  request  for  a  rector  to  be  sent  from  England  to  officiate 
as  successor  to  Rev.  Thomas  Barclay,  who  is  incapacitated. 

June  24. 
Johannes  Cuyler  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by  Governor 
William  Burnet,  September. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.   14.) 


No.  14. 


Oct.  14-.  1725  — Nov.  7,  1726. 


No.  14. 
JOHANNES  CUYLER. 

Date  of  office:     October  14,  1725-November  7,  1726. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  William  Burnet. 

Date  of  birth:     1661. 

Parents:     Hendrick  (C.)  and  Anna  Schepmoes. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Elsje  Ten  Broeck  (dan.  of  4th  Mayor). 

Date:     November  2,  1684. 

Children:  (12-3  s.  9  d.)  Anna  (b.  1685,  m.  Anthony  Van  Schaick), 
Christina  (1687,  d.  y.),  Christina  (1689-1755),  Hendrik 
(1692),  Sara  (b.  1693,  m.  Hans  Hansen,  17th  Mayor),  Elsje 
(b.  1695,  m.  Hendrick  Roseboom),  Cornells  (20th  Mayor,  b. 
1697,  m.  Catalyntje  Schuyler,  dau.  of  19th  Mayor),  Johannes 
A.  (b.  1699,  m.  Catherine  Wendell),  Maria  (b.  1702,  m.  Cor- 
nells Ten  Broeck),  Elizabeth  (b.  1705,  m.  Jacob  Sanderse 
Glen),  Rachel  (1707,  d.  y.),  Rachel  (November,  1709). 

Residence:  East  side  North  Pearl  street,  2d  south  of  Steuben  street, 
to  Yaugh   (James)   street. 

Occupation:     Trader. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:    July  20,  1740. 

Place  of  death:    Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     In  Dutch  Church. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Alderman.  Deacon  in  Dutch  Church,  1695  and  1700. 
Elder  in  Dutch  Church.  Admitted  freeman  of  New  York 
city,  1696.     Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,   1706. 


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No.  14.  JOHANNES   CUVLKR  197 

1725-1726. 

(Continued  from  Xo.  13.) 
1725. 


Johannes  Cuyler  is  sworn  as  the  flavor  of  Albany  to  succeed  Myn- 
dert  Schuyler,  having  been  commissioned  by  Gov.  William 
Burnet,  Oct.  14. 

A'anderheyden  '*  Palace  "'  built  on  the  west  side  of  North  Pearl 
street,  between  Maiden  Lane  and  State  street,  by  J.  J. 
Beeckman,  October. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Johannis  tenBroeck,  Johannis 
dePeyster.  I.  Hendrick  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders,  II.  Johan- 
nis Pruyn,  Dirck  tenBroeck,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


1726. 


Fyre-masters  when  found  neglectful  ordered  by  the  Common 
Council  to  be  fined  30  shillings. 

By  reason  of  the  continued  illness  and  incapacity  of  Rev.  Thomas 
Barclay  to  officiate  at  St.  Peter's  church,  a  letter  is  sent  to 
England,  requesting  that  a  missionary  be  sent  over  for  Albany, 
pointing  out  that  he  should  speak  English  plainly,  as  "  Mr. 
Barclay  spoke  so  broad  Scotch  that  it  was  difficult  to  under- 
stand him,"  June  24. 

Bishop  of  London  selects  Rev.  John  Milne  to  be  the  missionary  at 
Albany,  with  headquarters  as  rector  of  St.  Peter's  church, 
also  serving  among  the  Indians  wathin  forty  miles  around. 

Rutger  Bleecker  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by  Governor 
William  Burnet,  September. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Hermanns  Wendell,  Johannis 
dePeyster,  I.  Hendrick  Roseboom.  Barent  Sanders,  II.  Dirck 
tenBroeck,  Peter  Winne,  HI.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 
•         •         • 

(See  No.  15.) 


No.  15. 


Nov.  &.  1726 -Nov.  lO.  1729. 


No.  15. 
RUTGER  BLEECKER. 

Date  of  office:     Xovember  8,  1726-November  10,  1729. 

Appointed    by:     Governor  William  Burnet. 

Date  of  birth:     May  13,  1675. 

Place  of  birth:     Albany. 

Parents:  Jan  Jansen  (B.),  7th  Mayor,  and  Margareit  Rutse  Jacob- 
sen  \^an  Schoenderwoert. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Catlyna  (or  Catalina)  Schuyler  (widow  of  2d  Mayor). 

Date:     May  26,  17 12. 

Children:  {4-3  s.  i  d.)  Johannes  (b.  1713,  m.  EHzabeth  Staats), 
Margarita  (b.  1714,  m.  Edward  Collins),  Jacobus  (1716), 
Myndert  ( 1720). 

Residence:     Northwest  corner  North  Pearl  and  Steuben  streets. 

Occupation:     Merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     August  4,  1756. 

Place  of  death:     Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     Dutch  Church,  on  August  5th. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Recorder,  1725.  Pirother  of  Mayor  Johannes  Bleecker.. 
First  presided  at  Council  meeting.  November  8,  1726. 


15.     RUTGER    BLEECKER. 
1 7-6-1 729. 
From  a  small  water-color  portrait  owned  by  Morris  S. 
Miller  of  Utica  in  1892. 


No.  15.  RUTGER    BLEKCKliR.  20I 


1726-1728. 


(Continued  from  No.   14.) 
1726. 


-Rutger  Bleecker  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  .Mbany  to  succeed  Johannes 
Cuyler,  having"  been  commissioned  by  Governor  William 
Burnet,  Nov.  8. 


1727. 


Laws  are  passed  regulating  the  sale  of  intoxicants  of  any  nature  to 
the  Indians  when  coming  into  the  city  to  barter,  who  on  return- 
ing to  their  tribes,  either  lead  others  in  evil  ways  or  antagonize 
the  desirable  friendly  relations  that  are  so  essential  between 
whites  and  redskins  residing  at  such  close  quarters. 

r)iscussion  as  to  whether  the  city  can  afford  the  purchase  across  the 
water  of  "  an  Enguin  or  Water  Spuyt  "  to  put  out  fires. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Harmanus  Wendell,  Ryer  Gar- 
retse,  I.  Ilendrick  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders,  TI.  Dirck  ten 
Broeck,  Peter  Winne,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in. 

Oct.  14. 


172  8. 


John  Alontgomerie  begins  his  administration  of  the  Province  of 
New  York,  Apr.  15. 

Rev.  John  jNIilne  succeeds  Rev.  Thomas  Barclay  as  the  Rector  of 
St.  Peter's  Church. 

John  Collins,  wdio  was  lieutenant  in  Capt.  Henry  Holland's  company 
of  the  English  garrison  stationed  at  the  fort  here  and  who 
stood  high  in  the  social  life  of  the  city,  standing  godfather  for 
two  of  Patroon  Van  Rensselaer's  children,  and  having  Lord 
Cornbury  and  Colonel  Ingoldsby  ( two  of  New  York's  Colonial 
Governors)  sponsors  for  his.  admitted  a  practicing  attorney 
and  a  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  from  1720  to  1728.  dies 
at  His  ^Majesty's  Garrison  of  Schenectady,  where  he  was  in 
command.  Apr.   13. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Ryer  Gerretse,  Edward  Hol- 
land, I.  Hendrick  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders.  IT.  Peter 
Winne,  Jacob  Visger,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29 ;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


202  RUTGER    BLEECKER.  No.  1 5. 

1729. 


1729. 

Rev.  John  !Alilne  of  St.  Peter's  Church  receiving  a  stipend  of  50 
English  pounds  yearly,  reports  at  end  of  his  first  year  that  the 
number  of  "  constant  Hearers  is  at  least  a  Hundred,  the 
number  of  communicants  at  Easter  last  29." 

St.  Peter's  Church  pulpit  and  a  special  seat  (probably  a  canopied 
one  with  the  usual  curtains)  built  for  the  Governor  of  the 
Province  at  a  cost  of  12  Eng.  pounds.  2  sli.  /d. 

Johannes  De  Peyster  commissioned  the  ]\Iayor  of  Albany  by  Gov- 
ernor John  Montgomerie,  September. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Ryer  Gerritse,  Tobias  Ryck- 
man,  I.  Cornells  Cuyler,  Jacob  Beeckman,  H.  Samuel  C. 
Pruyn,  Jacob  Lansingh.  TH.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 
•         •         • 

(See  No.   16.) 


No.  16. 


Nov.  11,  1729—  Oct.  13,  1731. 
Oct.   23,  1732  —  Oct.  23,  1733. 
Nov.  23,  1741  —  Oct.  13,  1742. 


No.  i6. 
JOHANNES  DE  PEYSTER. 

Date  of  office:     (a)    November  ii,  1729-October  13,  1731. 

(b)  October  23,  1732-October  23,  1733. 

(c)  November  23,  1741-October  13,  1742. 
Date  of  appointment:     (a) 

(c)    November   14,   1741,  under  commission 
of  King  George  II. 

Appointed  by:     (a)    Governor  John  Montgomerie. 

.(b)   Governor  (Col.)  William  Cosby, 
(c)   Lieutenant-Governor  George  Clarke. 

Date  of  birth:     January  10,  1694. 

Place  of  birth:     New  Amsterdam. 

Parents:     Johannes  (De  P.)  and  Anna  Bancker. 

Education:     Good  schooling. 

Married  to:    Anna  Schuyler  (dau.  of  13th  Mayor). 

Date:    Albany,  November  24,  1715. 

Children:  (4-2  s.  2  d.)  Anna  (b.  1723,  m.  V.  P.  Douw,  25th 
Mayor),  Ragel  (b.  1728,  m.  Tobias  Ten  Eyck),  Myndert 
Schuyler  (b.  1734,  d.  y.),  Myndert  Schuyler  (1739-45). 

Residence:     Yonkers  (State)  street. 

Occupation:     Political  positions.     Merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     February  27,  1789. 

Place  of  death:     Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     North  of  his  pew,  Dutch  Church. 

Title:     Captain. 

Remarks:  Son  of  Mayor  J.  De  P.  of  New  York.  Born  of  Hugue- 
not parentage.  Honorable,  progressive,  generally  beloved. 
Recorder,  1716-28.  Lieutenant  of  foot,  1717.  Indian  Com- 
missioner, 1734,  1738,  1739,  1742,  1746.  Member  of  Pro- 
vincial Assembly,  1744.  Captain  of  horse,  1744.  Inspector 
of  ordnance,  1754.  First  Surrogate  of  Albany  county,  April 
3,  1756-82.  Paymaster  New  York  forces,  1775.  Inspector 
for  the  carrying  on  first  expedition  against  Crown  Point. 


i6.     JOHANNES  DE  PEYSTER. 
1729-31;   1732-37,;  1741-42. 
From  an  oil  painting  made  in  1718.  owned  in  1904  by  his  great-great-grand- 
son, Charles  Gibbons  Douw.  Ponghkeepsie,  N.  Y. 


No.  1(3.  JOH.\XNES    DE    PEV.STER.  20; 

1729-1731. 

(Continued  from  No.  15.) 
1729. 


Johannes  De  Peyster  sworn  as  the  ]\Iayor  of  Albany,  to  succeed 
Rutger  Bleecker,  having  been  commissioned  such  by  Governor 
John  ]\Iontgomerie,  Nov.  ii. 


1730. 


Centennial  of  Kiliaen  \^an  Rensselaer's  colonization. 

Van  Rensselaer  Manor  bronze  cannon,  used  to  defend  the  Manor 
and  probably  first  fired  from  Castle  island  (below  the  city), 
size  3  ft.,  5  in.  long,  with  3^/^  in.  bore,  made  in  Amsterdam  one 
hundred  years  ago. 

Common  Council  resolves  that  to  make  good  the  city's  title  to  a  tract 
of  land  known  as  Tionondorogue,  granted  to  it  by  the  Charter, 
Mayor  De  Peyster,  Recorder  Dirck  Wesselse  Ten  Broeck, 
Aldermen  Ryer  Gerritse,  Jacob  Lansing  and  Cornells  Cuyler, 
and  Ass't  Alderman  John  Visscher,  Jun.,  go  to  the  Mohawks 
and  agree  on  purchase  of  the  tract  located  along  the  Schoharie 
creek,  Oct.  10. 

The  Mohawks  sign  a  deed  of  land  for  the  "  flatts  on  both  sides  of 
Tionondoroges   (Schoharie)   creek.''  Oct.   12. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Ryer  Gerritse,  Tobias  Ryck- 
man,  I.  Cornelius  Cuyler,  Johannis  Roseboom,  II.  Samuel 
Pruyn.  Jacob  Lansingh,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 

Fire-hooks  and  ladders  ordered  by  the  Common  Council  to  be  made 
and  kept  in  convenient  places,  Nov.  24. 

Mrs.  Hendrick  Van  Rensselaer  dies  at  her  residence,  Fort  Crailo, 
on  the  shore  of  the  river  at  Green  Bush  (Rensselaer),  being 
the  wife  of  the  original  owner  of  the  large  tract  that  included 
the  site  of  the  villages  opposite  Albany,  Dec.  6. 


1731. 


Population  of  the  Colony  of  New  York  50,824,  January. 

Population  of  Albany  county  8,573.  January. 

Slaves  in  Albany  county  number  1.222,  January. 


206  JOHANNES    DE    PEYSTER.  No.  l6. 


1731-1732. 


St.  Peter's  Church  damaged  by  a  fire,  March  i. 

Among  the  charges  to  repair  damages  caused  by  fire  to  St.  Peter's 

is  the  item  "  a  pint  and  a  half  of  rum,  I  s,  6  d.,  March  15. 

Common  Council  permits  erection  of  market-houses  in  ist  and  2nd 

wards,  June. 

Rip  Van  Dam  begins  administration  of  Province  of  New  York  as 

president,  July  i. 

Johannes   ("'Hans")    Hansen  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany 

bv  Rip  A^an  Dam,  President  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 

Oct.  14. 
Charter  election.  Common  Council :     Ryer  Gerritse,  Tobias  Ryck- 

man  I.   Cornelius  Cuyler.  Johannis  Roseboom,  Jun.,  II.   Samuel 

Pruyn.  Jacob  Lansingh,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 
•         •         • 


(See  No.  17.) 

(Continued  from  No.  17.) 
1732. 


Johannes  De  Peyster  sworn  as  the  ^layor  of  Albany,  succeeding 
Johannes  f"  Hans  ")  Hansen,  having  been  commissioned  such 
by  Governor  William  Cosby. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Ryer  Gerritse,  Edward  Hol- 
land, I.  Cornelius  Cuyler,  Johannis  E.  Wendell,  II.  Isaac 
Fonda,  Gose  van  Schavck,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 

Jan  Jansen  Bleecker,  who  was  born  at  ]\Ieppel,  Overyssel,  Holland, 
on  July  9,  1641,  the  son  of  Jan  Bleecker,  arriving  at  Albany  in 
1658,  Captain  of  militia,  city  recorder,  justice  of  peace,  city 
chamberlain,  Indian  commissioner,  member  of  Provincial  As- 
sembly and  the  7th  Mayor  of  Albany,  dies,  Nov.  21. 

The  engine  "  to  spout  water  "  having  arrived  from  Richard  New- 
sham,  its  maker  in  London,  and  having  been  placed  in  a  house 
in  the  central  part  of  the  city,  it  is  announced  by  the  Common 
Council  that  in  case  of  a  fire  the  key  might  be  obtained  at  the 
home  of  Henry  Cuyler,  living  nearby. 


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No.  l6.  JOHANNES    DE    PEVSTER.  207 

1733,  1741-  1742. 


1733. 

Centennial  of  the  first  English  vessel,  The  William,  coming  up  the 

Hudson  river. 
Centennial  of  agents  of  the   Dutch   East   India   Company  landing 

settlers  at  Albany's  site, 
Charter  election,  Common  Council :     Ryer  Gerritse,  Hendrick  Kos- 

ter,  I.     Cornells  Cuyler,  Johannis  E.  Wendell,  II.     Goose  V. 

Schaick,  Isaac  Fonda.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in,     Oct.  14. 
Edward    Holland    commissioned    the    ATayor    of    Albany    by    Gov. 

William  Cosby,  '  Oct.  15. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.    18.) 


(Continued  from  No.  19.) 
1741. 


Johannes  De  Peyster  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany  a  third  time, 
succeeding-  John  Schuyler,  Jun.,  having  been  commissioned  by 
Lieut. -Governor  George  Clarke,  Nov.  23. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Johannis  Marselis,  Hendrick 
Cuyler,  I.  Johannis  Roseboom,  Jun.,  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  II. 
Gerret  C.  Van  den  Bergh.  Gerret  Lansingh,  III.  Election, 
Sept.  29;  sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


1742 


Ereeholders  number  204  in  the  city,  January. 

Centennial  of  the  building  of  Fort  Crailo  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
river,  opposite  the  lower  end  of  Albany,  by  Hendrick  Van 
Rensselaer, 

Aldermen  again  claim  the  sole  right  to  use  the  city's  great  seal,  con- 
taining the  capital  letters  "ALB  ",  and  the  perquisites  that 
accompany  its  service,  instead  of  the  Mayor. 


208  JOHANNES    DE    PEYSTER.  No.  l6. 

1742. 

Volckert  Pietrus  Douw  (later  to  be  the  25th  Mayor)  marries  Anna 
De  Peyster.  daughter  of  Captain  Johannes  De  Peyster,  present 
Mayor  of  Albany  and  granddaughter  of  Col.  Myndert  Schuyler, 
who  had  been  the  13th  Mayor,  May  20. 

Stephen  \^an  Rensselaer,  the  second  of  the  name  (and  later  the  7th 
Patroon)   son  of  Patroon  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  baptised, 

June  2. 

Cornells  Cuyler  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by  Lieut. - 
Governor  George  Clarke, 

Charter   election.    Common   Council :      Hendrick    Cuyler,   Johannis 

Marselis,  I.     John  Roseboom,  Jun.,  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  IT.    Gerret 

C.  Van  den  Bergh,  Gerret  Lansingh,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29 : 

sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  20.) 


No.  17. 


Oct.  14,  1731  — Oct.  22,  1732. 

\ 


,1754 ,1756. 


No.  17. 
JOHANNES  ("HANS")  HANSEN. 

Date  of  office:     (a)   October  14,  1731-October  22,  1732. 
(b)    1754-1756. 

Appointed  by:     (a)    President  Rip  Van  Dam. 

(b)   Governor  James  De  Lancey. 

Date  of  birth:     Baptized  June  20,  1695. 

Parents:     Hendrick  (H. — 5th  Mayor)  and  Debora  Van  Dam. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Sara  Cuyler  (dau.  of  14th  Mayor). 

Date:    April  25,  1723. 

Children:  (9-6  s.  3  d.)  Hendrick  (1723),  Elsje  (1725),  Johannes 
(1727),  Johannes  (1729),  Debora  ( 173 1),  Johannes  (b.  1732, 
m.  Margarita  Kip),  Pieter  (1735,  d.  y.),  Pieter  (b.  1737,  m. 
Rachel  Fonda). 

Occupation:     Trader. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     December,  1756. 

Place  of  burial:     On  December  6th,  in  Dutch  Church. 

Title:     Honorable. 


No.  17.  JOHANNES    HANSEN.  211 


1731-1754. 


(Continued  from  No.  i6.) 
1731. 


Johannes  ("  Hans  ")  Hansen  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany  to  suc- 
ceed Johannes  De  Peyster,  having  been  commissioned  by  Rip 
Van  Dam,  President  of  the  Province  of  New  York. 

Appointment  of  firemasters  Isaac  Fryer  and  Egbert  Egbertse  in 
1st  ward,  ]\Iatheys  van  der  Heyden  and  Frans  Pruyn  in  2nd 
ward,  Wilhehnus  van  den  Berg  and  Matheys  de  Garmo  in  3rd 
ward,  Nov.  6. 

Fire-engines  authorized  by  Common  Council  to  be  purchased  (hand- 
pumps  on  a  small  cart  into  which  water  was  to  be  poured  from 
buckets  passed  from  well  by  citizens)  by  resolution  "  that  an 
Enguin  or  Water  Spuyt  be  sent  for  to  England  per  the  first 
oppertunity  in  the  Spring,"  Dec.  22. 


1732. 


Fire-engine  named  the  Richard  Newsham  (operated  by  hand)  and 
40  feet  of  leather  hose,  ordered  by  the  Common  Council,  and 
to  be  housed  in  a  shed  at  the  corner  of  Beaver  and  South 
Pearl  streets,  Feb.  22. 

St.  Peter's  Church  vestry  passes  a  resolution,  "  resolved  by  ye  above 
written  church  wardens  &  vestry  that  ye  minister  shall  receive 
for  the  marriage  of  any  two  of  his  congregation  ye  sum  of 
twelve  shills  &  ye  dark  for  recording  and  bringing  water  for 
baptism  one  shillin  &  six  pence,"  Apr.  10. 

William  Cosby  begins  his  administration  of  the  Province  of  New 
York  as  its  Governor,  Aug.  i. 

Johannes  De  Peyster  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by  Gover- 
nor William  Cosby, 

•         •         • 

(See  No.   16.) 


(Continued  from  No.  23.) 
1754. 


Johannes  ("Hans")  Hansen  sworn  as  the  INIayor  of  Albany,  suc- 
ceeding Robert  Sanders,  having  been  commissioned  by  Gov. 
James  DeLancey, 


212  JOHANNES    HANSEN.  No.  I7. 

1754-1755. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Johannis  van  Sante,  Volckert 
P.  Douw,  I.  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  Gerrit  Marcelis,  II.  Johannis 
H.  Ten  Eyck,  Abraham  Douw,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29 ;  sworn 
in,  Oct.  14. 


1755. 


Engfish  crown  assumes  control  of  Indian  affairs. 
Old  seal  (the  first,  with  letters  ALB.)  ordered  to  be  used  by  Com- 
mon Council  to  license  carmen  and  tavern-keepers,  and  nothing 
else,  and  to  be  known  as  the  '"  publick  seal  of  this  city," 

May  3. 
Because  of  resumption  of  hostilities  by  the  English  and  French,  at- 
tempt is  made  to  capture  the  forts  at  Niagara,  erected  to  con- 
trol route  between  Canada  and  the  Alississippi,  and  Maj.-Gen. 
William  Shirle}^  T governor  of  Massachusetts)  makes  Albany 
his  rendezvous  of  his  troops,  then  marching  to  Osw^ego,  where 
he  halts,  leaves  a  garrison  of  600  men  and  returns  to  Albany. 
Regiment  of  Col.   Ephraim  Williams  encamped  at  Greenbush, 

June. 
Col.  Ephraim  Williams  makes  his  will  at  Albany,  and  in  it  makes 
bequest   for  establishment  of   a   school    (Williams   college,   at 
Williamstown,  Mass.),  July  22. 

This  year  marked  the  great  conflict  between  France  and  England, 
not  alone  across  the  water,  but  in  New  York,  and  the  latter 
deeply  concerned  Albany  as  it  was  both  the  place  whence  men 
were  sent  to  conduct  the  fight,  but  the  objective  point  of  the 
incursions  of  the  large  army  of  the  French  coming  down  from 
the  north  by  the  route  of  Lakes  Champlain  and  George.  The 
French  sent  Baron  Ludwig  August  Dieskau  with  an  army  of 
size  to  Canada,  which  he  was  to  lead  south  and  capture  Albany.. 
Of  four  expeditions  planned  when  the  governors  of  five  of  the 
colonies  met  to  consult. —  to  Nova  Scotia,  Niagara,  Ohio  valley, 
and  to  capture  Crown  Point  (fifteen  miles  from  the  southern 
end  of  Lake  Champlain,  on  its  west  side,  held  by  the  French), 
the  latter  task  was  designated  as  the  work  for  Col.  William 
Johnson.  He  sent  wampum  belts  at  once  to  all  the  Indian 
castles  to  indicate  that  he  had  been  made  Superintendent  of 
Indian  AiTairs  for  all  of  British  North  America  by  General 
Braddock.  Immediately,  because  of  the  esteem  in  which  he  was 
held  by  the   Sijc  Nations,   1,100  Indians  gathered  at  Johnson 


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No.  17.  JOHANNES    HANSEN.  213 

1755. 

Hall,  and  he  asked  for  one  thousand  picked  men  to  help  him 
take  Crown  Point.  They  agreed,  and  King  Hendrick,  although 
nearly  eighty  years  old,  was  made  their  chief.  There  was 
jealousy  when  ]\Iassachusetts,  claiming  to  have  furnished  more 
men  than  New  York,  demanded  a  leader  selected  from  that 
colony  instead  of  Johnson,,  and  her  governor,  William  Shirley, 
diverted  many  of  King  Hendrick's  Iroquois  to  his  expedition 
to  expel  the  French  from  Niagara.  Early  in  August,  Colonel 
Lyman,  commanding  the  Massachusetts  troops,  reached  Fort 
Edward,  known  as  the  Great  Carrying  Place,  for  here  every- 
thing in  traveling  camps  had  to  be  transferred  by  land  for  15 
miles,  from  the  Hudson  to  the  head  of  Lake  George,  and  here 
he  erected  a  fort  which  gave  the  name  to  the  place.  Fort  Ed- 
ward, in  honor  of  a  brother  of  King  George  H.  of  England. 
Here  Colonel  Johnson  with  his  forces,  backed  by  King  Hend- 
rick, who  had  young  Joseph  Brant  with  him  (an  Indian  youth 
of   13  years,  educated  at  Dartmouth)    joined  Colonel  Lyman, 

August. 

Colonel  Johnson  arrives  at  the  head  of  Lake  George  (Caldwell) 
with  3,400  men,  including  between  four  and  five  hundred  In- 
dians, and  sets  his  men  at  work  to  construct  Fort  William 
Henry,  named  in  honor  of  a  brother  of  King  George  II.  (The 
hotel  of  that  name  facing  directly  down  the  lake,  was  built  on 
the  site  of  the  fort  and  the  ditches  of  the  fort  were  to  be  seen 
in  the  contour  of  the  grove  in  1906.)  He  desires  a  fortification 
to  hold  the  situation  until  he  may  construct  a  fleet  to  convey 
his  army  north  to  Ticonderoga.  August  28. 

Colonel  Lyman  proceeds  from  Fort  Edward  to  join  Colonel  Johnson 
at  Fort  William  Henry,  bringing  the  heavy  artillery  and  leav- 
ing five  companies  and  about  250  New  Englanders  to  hold 
the  place,  August. 

Sir  Charles  Hardy  succeeds  James  De  Lancey  as  Governor  of  the 
Province  of  New  York,  Sept.  3. 

Colonel  William  Johnson^  residing  about  forty  luiles  northwest  of 
Albany  at  Mount  Johnson,'  is  placed  in  control  of  troops  that 
are  gathered  to  take  Crown  Point,  and  writes  to  Lords  of 
Trade :  "  About  250  Indians  have  already  joined  me,  and  as 
small  parties  are  evry  day  dropping  in,  I  expect,  before  I  can 
be  able  to  leave  this  place,  to  have  300  *  *  *  Our  Indians 
appear  to  be  very  sincere  and  zealous  in  our  cause,  and  their 
young  men  can  hardly  be  withheld  from  going  out  a  scalping. 
*  *  *  I  am  building  a  Fort  at  this  lake  (Ft.  William 
Henry)  which  the  P>ench  call  lake  St.  Sacrament,  but  I  have 


214  JOHANNES    HANSEN.  No.  I/^ 


1755. 


given  it  the  name  of  Lake  George,  not  only  in  honour  to  His 
Majesty  but  to  assertain  his  undoubted  dominion  here.  I 
found  it  a  mere  wilderness,  not  one  foot  cleared.  I  have  made 
a  good  waggon  Road  to  it  from  Albany,  distance  about  70 
miles.  We  have  cleared  land  enough  to  encamp  5000  Men. 
The  Troops  now  under  my  command  and  the  reinforcements 
on  the  way  will  amount  to  near  that  number,"  Sept.  3. 

Baron  Dieskau  schemed  to  thwart  Johnson's  plans  by  taking  i,6oa 
men,  Indians,  Canadians  and  French  up  Lake  Champlain  and 
then  by  land  to  Fort  Edward  so  as  to  follow  the  capture  of 
that  place  by  an  attack  on  Johnson's  rear,  after  which  success 
he  would  march  southward  to  Albany.  By  mistake  in  calcu- 
lating distances  in  a  densely  w^ooded  region  east  of  Lake 
George,  he  found  himself  near  Fort  William  Henry  instead  of 
Fort  Edward.  On  his  nearing  there,  Johnson  had  suspected 
his  coming  into  the  region  and  had  immediately  sent  a  courier 
to  warn  Fort  Edward ;  but  Dieskau  captured  him  and  thereby 
learned  of  Johnson's  plans.  Johnson  had  wished  to  send  out 
three  detachments  of  1,200  men  each,  to  relieve  Fort  Edward, 
where  he  thought  Dieskau  would  be,  and  not  suffer  the  loss  of 
ail  his  army;  but  King  Hendrick  explained  the  weakness  of 
such  a  move  when,  holding  three  sticks  together  he  could  not 
break,  while  taking  one  at  a  time  he  broke  each  and  threw  them 
all  at  Johnson's  feet.  (This  anecdote  of  an  important  move  in 
the  state's  history,  which  might  have  lost  Albany  to  the  French, 
was  adopted  and  idealized  in  the  monument  erected  just  east 
of  the  site  of  Fort  William  Henry,  oji  a  knoll  overlooking  Lake 
George,  Sept.  8,  1903.)  Sept.  5. 

The  relief  forces  start  out  from  Fort  William  Henry  for  Fort  Ed- 
ward in  three  detachments.  Colonel  Williams  leading  the  ad- 
vance ;  but  after  proceeding  to  the  south  of  the  fort  about  two 
miles,  he  halts  to  wait  for  the  others,  and  all  move  on  the  march 
without  scouts  and  entirely  unsuspicious  that  Dieskau  had  en- 
circled the  road  at  a  place  four  miles  south  of  the  lake,  where 
were  hills  and  dense  forests,  with  an  ambuscade  arrangement. 
Before  all  the  English  had  entered  the  doomed  circle  a  careless 
shot  is  fired  which  is  taken  as  a  signal  by  the  French,  and  one  of 
the  bloodiest  slaughters  on  record  in  New  York  begins,  the  In- 
dian forces  on  both  sides  lending  a  savage  fury  to  the  fracas.  At 
the  outset.  Col.  Ephriam  Williams  is  killed,  and  the  men  fall 
back  to  a  long,  narrow  pond,  hemmed  in  by  low,  steep-banked 
hills.  The  English  retreat  with  speed  to  Fort  William  Henry, 
and  Dieskau's  men  do  not  have  the  courage  to  attack  it,  al- 


KING  HENDRICK. 
He  was  leader  of  the  Iroquois  allies  of  Col.  Wm.  Johnson,  and 
although  aged  four-score,  went  up  from  here  to  Fort  William  Henry 
on  Lake  George,  where  he  was  killed  fighting  the  French  on  Sept. 
8,  1755.     He  attended  important  pow-wows  in  this  city. 


No.  17.  JOHANNES    HANSEN.  21$ 


1755. 


though  a  bloody  fight  is  put  up  near  there.  General  Dieskau 
being  wounded  in  the  leg  (so  that  he  had  to  be  carried  to 
Albany  for  careful  treatment  by  his  enemies)  and  Colonel  John- 
son is  wounded  m  the  leg.  The  French  being  repulsed,  start 
a  retreat  southward,  when  they  are  met  at  the  same  spot  near 
the  pond  where  they  had  started  the  day's  fighting,  by  Captain 
McGinnis,  lie  having  had  a  small  scouting  party  out  with  him 
since  the  early  morning  march  began  and  had  hurried  back  on 
hearing  the  noise  of  battle.  He  routs  the  French  with  a  deter- 
mined onslaught,  who  flee  through  the  forests,  caring  for  neither 
their  arms  nor  clothing.  So  many  had  been  killed  at  these  two 
encounters  that  graves  could  not  be  dug  for  them  by  the  wearied 
troops,  and  hundreds  of  bleeding  corpses  had  to  be  cast  into 
the  pond,  whose  waters  were  turned  a  deep  crimson,  giving  to 
the  pretty  sheet  of  water  the  name  of  Bloody  Pond.  King 
Hendrick  being  among  the  slain,  his  Indian  bands  seek  revenge 
upon  the  wounded  Dieskau,  held  prisoner  by  the  Americans; 
but  Col   William  Johnson  firmly  interposes  for  his  preservation, 

Sept.  8. 

General  Johnson  writes :  "  Our  expedition  is  likely  to  be  extremely 
distressed  &  I  fear  fatally  retarded  for  the  want  of  waggons. 
The  People  of  the  County  of  Albany  &  the  Adjacent  Counties 
hide  their  Waggons  &  drive  away  their  Horses,"  Sept.  16. 

Gen.  Philip  Schuvler  and  Catherine  Van  Rensselaer,  only  daughter 
of  Col.  John  \'an  Rensselaer  of  the  Claverack  Manor,  and 
granddaughter  of  the  original  owner  of  the  vast  tract  along 
the  east  side  of  the  Hudson,  after  the  first  division  of  the  Van 
Rensselaer  patent,  Hendrick  Van  Rensselaer,  married  by 
Dominie  Theodorus  Frielinghuysen  of  the  Dutch  Reformed 
Church  of  Albany,  the  ceremony  taking  place  at  Greenbush, 
opposite  this  city,  Sept.  17. 

King   George   H.   gives   General   Johnson   500   English   pounds   in 
''cash,  and  rewards  his  efforts  by  bestowing  upon  him  and  "  his 
heirs  male,  the  dignity  of  a  baronet  of  Great  Britani," 

September. 

Myndert  Schuyler,  the  son  of  David  Pieterse  Schuyler  and  Catalyn 
Verplanck,  born  at  the  Flatts,  north  of  Albany,  on  Jan.  16, 
1672,  and  who  had  been  alderman  of  the  First  Ward,  Indian 
Commissioner,  captain  of  militia,  member  of  Assembly  and  the 
13th  Mayor  of  Albany,  dies  at  his  home  on  the  south  side  of 
Yonkers  (State)  street,  the  third  door  east  of  So.  Pearl  street. 

Oct.   10, 


2l6  JOHANNES    HANSEN.  No.  I/. 

1755-1756. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Johannis  van  Sante,  Volckert 
P.  Douw,  I.  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  Gerrit  Marselis,  II.  Abraham 
Douw,  Johannis  Ten  Eyck.  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  T4. 


1756. 


Population  of  Albany  county  14,805  whites,  2,619  blacks;  total 
17,524  at  this  time,  January. 

Population  of  the  colony  of  New  York  96,790,  January. 

Drinks  of  tlie  rich  consist  of  Madeira,  cider,  punch  and  beer,     May. 

Physicians  practice  without  examination  or  license,  June. 

Gen.  James  Abercrombie  arrives  at  Albany  with  two  regiments 
preparatory  to  attack  on  forts  at  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga, 
held  by  the  French,  Ji-ine  25. 

The  Flatts,  historic  home  of  the  Schuylers  at  Watervliet,  north  of 
the  city,  partly  burned. 

Common  Council  grants  St.  Peter's  Church  a  piece  of  groun(J  for 
a  burial-place  north  of  Fort  Frederick,  July  10. 

Soldiers   numbering  about    10,000   continually   drilling  at   Albany, 

July. 

Earl  of  London  arrives  at  All:)any  to  command  the  army,  July  27. 

French  make  the  English  garrison  at  Oswego  surrender  and  this 
brings  about  cessation  of  hostilities  for  the  time,  August. 

The  Flatts,  originally  built  by  Richard  Van  Rensselaer  at  Water- 
vliet, and  used  for  generations  by  the  Schuyler  family,  partly 
burned  earlier  in  the  year,  reconstructed  along  practically  the 
same  lines,  September. 

Charter  election,  Coiumon  Council :  Johannis  van  Sante,  Volckert 
P.  Douw,  I.  John  R.  Hleecker,  Johannis  Beeckman,  Jun.,  II. 
Abraham  Douw,  Johannis  H.  Ten  Eyck.  III.  Election,  Sept. 
29 ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Sybrant  Gozen  \"an  Schaick  is  appointed  the  24th  Mayor  of  Albany 
by  Sir  Charles  Hardy,  Governor  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 

September. 

T^  •  • 

(See   No.   24.) 


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No.   18. 


Oct.  24.  1733  -  Oct.  30,  174-0. 


No.  1 8. 

EDWARD  HOLLAND. 

Date  of  office:     October  24,  1733-October  30,  1740. 

Date  of  appointment:     October  15,  1733. 

Appointed  by:     (jovernor  (Col.)  William  Cosby. 

Date  of  birtli:     Baptized  September  6,  1702. 

Parents:     Captain  Henry  (H.)  and  Jenny  Sehly  (or  Seely). 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     (a)    Magdalena (bur.  March  26,  1737). 

(  b )    Frances  XicoUs. 
Children:      (a)   Magdalena  Mary  (1727).  Ann  (1732). 
Residence:     Corner  Market  (Broadway)   and  Beaver  streets. 
Religion:     English  Church. 
Place  of  death:     Albany. 
Place  of  burial:     English  Church. 

Remarks:     First  English  Mayor.      His  father    commanded  Albany 
garrison,  1732. 


No.  l8.  EDWARD    HOLLAND.  -219 


1733-173  4. 


(Continued  from  No.  i6.) 
1733. 


Edward  Holland  is  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  to  succeed 
Johannes  De  Peyster,  having  been  commissioned  such  by  Gov. 
Wm.  Cosby,  Oct.  24. 

City  ordinance  "  to  prevent  Negroes  or  Indian  slaves  appear  in  the 
streets  after  eight  at  night  wtout  a  Lanthorn  and  lighted  candle 
in  it,"  Nov.  5. 

Birth  of  Philip  Schuyler  (later,  to  be  General  commanding  the 
Army  of  the  North  in  the  Revolution)  the  fourth  in  descent 
from  Philip  Pieterse  Schuyler  who  was  the  original  settler  at 
the  Flatts,  the  grandson  of  Captain  Johannes  Schuyler,  who 
was  the  loth  Mayor,  son  of  John  Schuyler,  Jun.,  who  became 
the  19th  Mayor,  and  "  nephew  in  second  degree  "  to  Col.  Pieter 
Schuyler,  the  first  Mayor,  Nov.  11. 

Common  Council  passes  an  ordinance  fining  aldermen  i  shilling 
if  they  fail  to  come  to  the  meeting  within  one  hour  of  the 
ringing  of  the  bell,  unless  provided  with  a  reasonable  excuse, 

Nov.  15. 

Jeremy  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  and  Capt.  William  Deck  presented 
with  the  freedom  of  the  city,  Nov.  24. 

Governor  Cosby  writes  to  Lords  of  Trade  that  on  going  to  Albany 
to  hold  conference  with  Mohawk  sachems,  he  had  sent  a  mes- 
senger to  bring  him  a  certain  deed  for  Schoharie  lands,  and 
believing  what  the  Mohawks  told  him,  on  ascertaining  that  it 
was  a  quit-claim  deed  he  had  handed  it  to  their  chief  who  had 
torn  it  into  bits  and  angrily  cast  them  into  the  fire,  much  to 
the  surprise  and  dismay  of  the  city  authorities  who  had  ex- 
pected to  return  it  to  the  City  Hall  after  he  had  examined  it, 

Dec.  15. 


1734. 


Ordered  advertised  that  the  key  to  the  house  were  the  water-engine 
stands  is  lodged  with  Mr.  Henry  Cuyler,  March  9. 

Common  Council  bargains  "  with  Gerrit  Lansingh  and  Anthony 
Bratt  to  sett  up  400  Stockadoes  at  9  d.  a  piece  .  .  .  with 
Tennons  of  good  dry  oakwood  of  one  and  a  half  inch  thick, 
to  be  drove  in  five  inches,  the  Stockadoes  to  be  13  foot  long, 
three  foot  in  the  ground,  to  have  loop  holes  at  proper 
distances,"  June  24. 


220 


EDWARD    HOLLAND.  No.  1 8. 


1734-1737. 


Evert  Bancker,  who  had  been  the  3rd  Mayor  of  Albany,  a  justice 
of  the  peace,  member  of  Assembly,  Indian  Commissioner, 
Master  in  Chancery  and  farmed  at  Guilderland,  (born  Jan.  24, 
1665)  dies,  '  July- 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Ryer  Gerritse,  Hendrick  Kos- 
ter,  I.  Cornells  Cuyler,  Johannis  E.  Wendell,  II.  Leendert 
Gansevoort,  Johannis  Yischer,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn 
in.  Oct.  14. 


1735. 


Elm  tree  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Yonkers  (State)  and  Parrel 
(Pearl)  streets,  (which  later  gave  the  cognomen  "Elm  Tree 
Corner")  supposed  to  have  been  planted  by  Philip  Livingston, 
Fort  Anne,  started  by  Lord  Cornbury  at  Albany  in  1703,  completed. 
Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Hendrick  Koster,  Tobias  Ryck- 
man,  I.  Cornells  Cuyler,  Johannis  E.  Wendell,  II.  Leendert 
Gansevoort.  Johannis  Yischer,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn 
in,  Oct.  14. 


1736. 


Col.  W  illiam  Cosby.  Governor  of  the  Province  of  Xew  York,  dies. 

George  Clarke  begins  administration  of  the  Province  of  New  York 
as  its  President,  March  10. 

George  Clarke,  having  administered  as  President  of  the  Colony,  is 
commissioned  Lieut. -Governor,  July  30. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Johannis  Tenbroeck,  Gerrit  v. 
Benthuysen,  I.  Plans  Hansen,  Johannis  Roseboom,  II.  Leen- 
dert Gansevoort,  Ryckart  Hansen  III.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in.  Oct.  14. 

George  Clarke  sworn  as  Lieut. -Governor,  Oct.  30.. 


1737. 


Albert  Ryckman,   who  had  been  the   9th   Mayor  of  Albany,   dies 

January. 
Population  of  Albany  county  stated  as  10.681,  Januar}^ 

Population  of  Colony  of  New  York  given  as  60,437,  January. 


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No.  18.  EDWARD    HOLLAND.  221 

1737-1740. 

Lord  De  La  Warr  appointed  Governor  of  Province  of  New  York, 

June. 
Alayor  and  Aldermen  summon  ^Nlrs.  Kitchener  and  bargain  to  pay 

her  2  shillings  and  sixpence   for  every  man  that  eats   at  her 

house  during  the  entertainment  of  the  Governor,  •  June  27. 
Lord  De  La  Warr  resigns  as  Governor  of  the  Province  of  New 

York,  September. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :     Johannis  Tenbroeck,  Johannis 

Vanderheyden,    L      Hans    Hansen,    Johannis    Roseboom,    H. 

Leendert  Gansevoort,  Ryckert  Hansen,  HL    Election,  Sept.  29; 

sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


1738. 


Rev.   Henry  Barclay,  a  graduate  of  Yale  and  son  of  Rev.  Thos. 

Barclay,  appointed  rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Jan.  20. 

Rev.  Petrus  van  Driessen,  pastor  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church, 

dies,  February. 

Rev.    Cornells   van    Schie    succeeds    the    late    Dominie    Petri:s   van 

Driessen  as  pastor  of  the  Dutch  Church. 
Charter    election.    Common    Council :      Johannis    Tenbroeck,    John 

Schuyler,    L     Hans    Hansen,   Johannis    Cuyler,    H.     Leendert 

Gansevoort,  Ryckart  Hansen,  HL    Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in. 

Oct.  14. 


1739. 


George  Clinton,  son  of  Col.  Charles  Clinton   (and  later  New  York 

State's  first  Governor)  born  in  Ulster  (later  Orange)  county, 

July  26. 
Charter  election.  Common  Council :    John  Schuyler,  Jun.,  Gerrit  v. 

Benthuysen,  L     Johannis  Cuyler,  Jun.,  Johannis  Roseboom,  H. 

Leendert  Gansevoort  Ryckart  Hansen,  HL     Election,  Sept.  29 ; 

sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


1740. 


Hendrick  Van  Rensselaer  begins  enlargement  of  his  residence.  Fort 
Crailo  at  Greenbush,  by  the  addition  of  a  wing,  original  house 
measuring  20  x  60  feet. 


222  EDWARD    HOLLAND.  No.  1 8. 

1740. 

Ordinance  providing  for  the  erection  of  fire-engine  house,     May  13. 

Common  Council  forbids  use  of  the  great  seal  except  during  session, 
because  the  clerk  carries  it  in  his  pocket  and  so  it  is  unobtain- 
able at  other  times. 

Hendrick  \'an  Rensselaer,  youngest  of  the  three  children  of  Jere- 
mias  Van  Rensselaer,  the  second  Patroon,  and  who  married  a 
granddaughter  of  Anneke  Jans  by  whom  he  had  four  sons  and 
five  daughters  (all  of  whom  save  one  raising  large  families) 
dies  at  his  residence,  the  Crailo.  at  Greenbush.  (opposite 
Albany)  bequeathing  that  estate  to  his  eldest  son  Johannes,  and 
is  buried  east  of  his  house  (in  its  rear)  in  the  family  burial- 
ground  (remains  removed  later  when  the  railroads  required 
room  for  tracks)  and  news  of  his  death  sent  at  once  this  day 
by  messengers  to  all  his  relatives,  July  2. 

Hon.  Pieter  A  an  Brugh,  who  had  been  the  6th  A'layor  (born  July 
14,  1666,  the  son  of  Johannes  Pieterse  \>rbrugge  and  Tryntje 
Roelofi^se  and  a  grandson  of  Anneke  Jans)  dies  July  20. 

Johannes  Cuyler.  who  had  been  the  14th  ]\Iayor  of  Albany,  and 
Alderman.  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs .  deacon  of  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  Church,  and  admitted  "  freeman  "  of  New  York 
city  in  i6g6  (born  in  1661,  the  son  of  Hendrick  Cuyler  and 
Anna  Schepmoes,  marrying  Elsje  Ten  Broeck,  daughter  of 
Dirck  Wesselse  ten  Broeck,  4th  Mayor,  on  Nov.  2,  1684)  dies 
at  his  residence,  on  the  east  side  of  North  Pearl  street,  the 
second  door  south  of  Steuben  street,  running  through  to  the 
street  on  the  east,  July  20. 

John  Schuyler.  Jun..  is  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by 
Lieut. -Go^ernor  Georgfe  Clarke, 


(See  No.   19.) 


No.   19. 


30ltauu^0  ^d^ugbr,  31un. 


Oct.  31,  174-0  — Nov.  22,1741. 


No.  19. 
JOHANNES  SCHUYLP:R,  JUN. 

Date  of  office:     October  31,  1740-November  22,  1741. 

Appointed  by:     Lieutenant-Governor  Geor^^e  Clarke. 

Date  of  birth:     October  31,  1697. 

Place  of  birth:     "  The  Flatts." 

Parents:  Johannes  (S. — loth  Mavor)  and  EHzabeth  Staats  (Wen- 
dell). 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Cornelia  \'an  Cortlandt. 

Date:     October  18,  1723. 

Cliildren:  (11-8  s.  3  d.)  Geertrnj  (b.  1724,  m.  Pieter  Schuyler, 
Jun.,  and  2d  Dr.  John  Cochran),  Johannes,  Stephanus  (1727, 
d.  y.),  Catherine  (1728),  Stephanus  (1729,  d.  y.),  Philip 
(1731,  d.  y.),  Major-General  Philip   (b.   1733,  m.  Catherine 

Van  Rensselaer),  Cortlandt   (b.   1735,  ni.   P)arbara  ■ — ), 

Stephanus  (b.  1737,  m.  Lena  Ten  Eyck),  Elizabeth  (1738, 
d.  y.),  Oliver  (1741,  d.  v.). 

Occupation:     Mercantile. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  deatli:     November  7,  1746. 

Place  of  death:     "The  Flatts." 

Place  of  burial:     "The  Flatts,"  West  Troy   (Watervliet),  N.  Y. 

Title:     Captain. 

Remarks:  Father  of  Major-General  Philip  Schuyler.  Indian  Com- 
missioner, 1733.     Alderman  first  ward,  1738  and  1739. 


19.     JOHANNES  SCHUYLER,  Jun. 
T7-1 0-1741. 
From  a  photograph  made  by  Bradley,  of  New  York,  from  the  miniature 
owned  in  igo6,  by  Mrs.  Katharine  Schuyler  Baxter,  of  New  York  city,  a 
great-great-granddaughter. 


No.  19.  JOHANNES    SCHUYLER,    JUN,  225 

1740-1741. 

(Continued  from  No.  t8.) 
1740. 


Johannes  Sclmyler.  Jun..  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  to  succeed 
Edward  Holland,  having  been  commissioned  as  such  by  Lieut. - 
Governor  George  Clarke, 

Fort  Crailo,  a  Holland-brick  building  of  two  stories  and  dormer 
attic,  built  by  Hendrick  \"an  Rensselaer  (grandson  of  Kiliaen 
Van  Rensselaer  the  ist  Patroon,  but  of  the  generation  that 
actually  came  to  America)  supposedly  about  1642,  but  more 
probably  20  to  30  years  later,  at  that  time  with  nine  stone 
musket  or  port-holes  through  which  to  project  a  rifle  and  then 
with  dimensions  20  x  60  feet,  increased  during  the  summer  and 
fall  by  an  addition  of  some  size.  October. 

Cliarter  election.  Common  Council :  Gerrit  \  an  Benthuysen.  Johan- 
nis  JNIarselis,  I.  Johannis  Cuyler,  Johannis  Roseboom,  II. 
Ryaert  Hansen,  Gerret  C.  A'anden  Bergh,  III.  Election,  Sept. 
29;  sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


1741. 


The  ^layor  allowed  the  use  of  city  seal  to  affix  same  to  "tavern 

keepers  lycences/'  there  being  much  dispute  as  to  who  may  use. 
Assembly  passes  an  Act  enabling  the  county  and  city  of  Albany  to 

erect  a  new  court-house  and  gaol. 
Child  named  Oliver  born  to  Mayor  Johannes  Schuyler,  Jun.  and 

wife,  Cornelia  Van  Cortlandt ;  but  died  young. 
Johannes  De  Peyster  commissioned  to  be  the  ]\Iayor  of  Albany  a 

third  time,  by  Lieut. -Governor  George  Clarke,  Nov.  14. 


(See  No.   i6.) 


No.  20. 


Oct.  14,  1742  —  Sept.  28,  1746. 


No.  20. 
CORXELIS  CUYLER. 

Date  of  office:     October  14.  1742-September  28.  1746. 

Appointed  by:     Lieutenant-Governor  George  Clarke. 

Date  of  birth:     (Bap.)  February  14,  1697. 

Place  of  birth:     New  York,  N.  Y. 

Parents:  Johannes  (C. — 14th  flavor)  and  Elsje  Ten  Broeck  (dau. 
of  4th  Alayor). 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:  Catharina  (or  Catalyntje)  Schuyler  (dau.  of  loth 
Mayor). 

Date:     December  9,  1726. 

Children:  (g-6  s.  3  d.)  Johannes  (1729),  Elizabeth  (1731),  Philip 
(1733),  Hendrick  (1735),  Elsje  (i737)..  Margarita  (1738), 
Cornells  (1740),  Col.  Abraham  C.  (j26th  Mayor — b.  1742), 
Dirck  (1745)- 

Residence:     South  side  Steuben,  4th  west  of  Chapel  street. 

Occupation:     Merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     March  14.  1765. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Father  of  Mayor  Abraham  Cuyler.  Indian  Commis- 
sioner 14  years. 


No.   20.  COKNKLIS   CUVl.EK.  229 

1742-1744. 


(Continued  from  No.   i6.) 
1742. 


Cornells  Cuyler  sworn  as  the  Alayor  of  Albany,  succeeding 
Johannes  De  Peyster,  having  been  commissioned  such  by  Lieut. - 
Governor  Georg^e  Clarke.  • 


1743. 


Johannes  Alyndertse  is  paid  7  shillings  by  the  city  for  repairing  the 
stocks  wherein  criminals  are  exhibited  to  the  public  gaze, 

April  II. 

George  Clinton  begins  his  administration  of  the  Province  of  New 
York  as  Governor,  Sept.  2. 

Common  Council  appoints  Robert  Lansingh,  Bernardus  Hartsen  and 
Michael  Basset  to  take  charge  of  fire-engines  at  time  of  fire, 
ever  to  be  ready,  to  make  keys  with  which  to  open  engine  shed, 
and  to  hang  the  same  in  their  houses  when  absent,  to  receive 
annually  six  schepels  of  wheat  for  these  services. 

Common  Council  contracts  with  Anthony  Bratt  for  removal  of  old 
block-house  (then  located  near  the  City  fiall)  to  the  site  of  the 
old  powder-house  on  sand  plains  south  of  city  ;  supplying  all 
labor  and  material,  for  13  pounds,  4  shillings. 

.Charter  election.  Common   Council:     Johannis  Alarselis.  Jacob  C. 

Ten  Eyck,  I.     Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  Nicholas  Bleecker,  II.     

,  III.     Election.  Sept.  29;  sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


1744. 


Albany  hears  of  declaration  of  war  between  England  and  France, 
and  it  seriously  afifects  the  colonists,  who  fear  attack  from 
Canada,  June. 

Gov.  George  Clinton  holds  a  conference  with  sachems  of  Six 
Nations  and  advises  them  to  beware  of  the  French.        June  18. 


230  CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  20. 

1744-1745. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck,  John  Mar- 
selis  and  Sybrant  G.  Van  Schaick,  tie  vote ;  subsequently  John 
Livingston,  I.  Nicholas  Bleecker,  Jun.,  David  V.  D.  Heyden, 
II.  Jacob  Visher,  Jacob  Wendell,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


174  5. 


jeremias  Van  Rensselaer,  the  son  of  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  being 
the  5th  Patroon  and  the  3rd  Lord  of  the  Manor,  dies  unmar- 
ried, and  Stephen  his  brother  and  the  second  son  of  their  father 
Kiliaen,  succeeds  in  the  lordship  as  the  6th  Patroon. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck,  John 
Livingston,  I.  Nicholas  Bleecker,  Jun..  David  Vanderheyden, 
TI.  Jacob  Vischer,  Gerrit  Van  Ness,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Gov.  George  Clinton  writes  to  Lords  of  Trade  that  he  is  planning 
to  secure  the  fort  at  Crown  Point,  held  by  the  French  in  the 
Indians'  own  lands,  and  is  sending  to  Albany  "  six  pieces  of 
Cannon  of  18  pounders  with  carriages,  and  a  proportion  of 
powder.  Ball,  Match  and  other  Implements,"  November. 

The  home  of  Philip  Schuyler,  a  nephew  of  Mayor  Pieter  Schuyler 
and  the  uncle  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  situate  on  the  lands  of 
his  father,  Johannes  Schuyler,  is  attacked  at  night  by  a  force  of 
Canadians  and  Indians  under  Marin,  an  officer  named  Beauvais 
commanding  the  squad  that  surrounds  his  residence.  The 
French  manuscript  sent  back  by  these  men  as  a  report  states : 
"  We  went  to  the  house  of  a  man  named  Philip  Skulle  ( Schuy- 
ler), a  brave  man  who  would  have  given  us  much  trouble  if 
he  had  had  with  him  a  dozen  men  as  valiant  as  himself.  The 
other  (Schuyler)  replied  that  he  was  a  dog,  and  that  he  would 
kill  him,  and  then  fired  upon  him.  Beauvais  repeated  his  re- 
quest to  surrender,  to  which  Philip  answered  by  firing  again. 
At  last  Beauvais,  weary  of  receiving  his  fire,  shot  and  killed 
him.  We  entered  immediately,  and  everything  was  pillaged 
in  an  instant.  The  house  was  of  brick,  pierced  with  loop-holes 
to  the  ground  floor,"  Nov.  17. 

Governor  Clinton  hears  of  the  French  burning  a  settlement  (Schuy- 
lerville)  near  a  place  called  "  Saratoge,"  two  days  previous, 
which  sacking  included  the  fort,  the  scalping  and  killing  of 
thirty,  and  taking  about  sixty  prisoners,  Nov.  19. 


No.  20.  CORNELLS    CUYLER.  23 1 

1745-1746. 

Governor  Clinton  orders  the  "  Six  Nations  of  Indians  to  take  up  the 
hatchet  against  the  Enemy  immediately,"  November. 

Albany  terrorized  and  filled  with  refugees,  the  three  market-houses 
being  converted  into  barracks,  December. 

John  Jay  (who  later  becomes  first  Governor  of  Xew  York  to  reside 
in  Albany)  the  8th  son  of  Peter  Jay,  born  in  New  York  city, 

Dec.  12. 


1746. 


Expedition  against  Canada,  New  York  sending  i,6oo  men. 

Col.  William  Johnson  (Indian  Agent)  hoping  to  enlist  the  Mohawks 
against  the  French  brings  them  to  Albany  from  west  of  the  city, 
putting  himself  at  their  head  "  dressed  and  painted  as  an  Indian 
war-captain.  The  Indians  followed  him  painted  for  war.  As 
they  passed  the  fort,  they  saluted  by  a  running  fire,  which  the 
governor  answered  by  cannon.  The  chiefs  were  afterwards 
received  in  the  fort-hall,  and  treated  to  wine.  A  good  deal  of 
private  manceuvering  with  the  individual  sachems  was  found 
necessary  to  make  them  declare  for  war  with  France  before  a 
public  council  was  held,".  Aug.  8. 

Col.  William  Johnson  appointed  "  chief  manager  of  the  Indian  W^ar 
and  Colonel  over  all  the  Indians  by  their  own  approbation," 

September., 

Dirck  Ten  Broeck  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by  George 
Clinton,  Governor  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  21.) 


No.  21. 


itrrk  ®eu  Iro^rk. 


Sept.  29,  1746^  Oct.  1,  1748. 


No.  21. 
DIRCK   TEN    BROECK. 

Date  of  Office:  September  29,  1746 — October  2,  1748. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  George  Clinton. 

Date  of  birth:     December  4,  1686. 

Place  of  birth:    Albany. 

Parents:  Wessel  (T.  B. — son  of  4th  Mayor)  and  Caatje  (or 
Cattryna)   Loockermans. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     ^Margarita  Cuyler. 

Date:     November  26,  17 14. 

Children:  (12-5  s.  7  d.)  Catryna  (b.  1715,  m.  John  Livingston), 
Anna  (1717),  Christma  (b.  1718,  m.  Philip  Livingston,  Jun.), 
Maria  (b.  1721,  ni.  Gerardus  Groesbeck),  Wessels  (1722), 
Sara  (b.  1725,  m.  Johannes  Hendrick  Ten  Eyck),  Margarita 
(1727-29),  Abraham  (1729-32),  Margarita  (b.  1731,  m.  Ger- 
ardus Lansing),  Abraham  (b.  1734,  ni.  Elizabeth  Van  Rens- 
selaer— 28th  Mayor),  Dirck  (1736-7),  Dirck  (b.  1738,  m. 
Anna  Douw,  dau.  of  25th  Mayor). 

Residence:     Third  Ward  (of  that  period). 

Occupation:     ]Merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     January  3,  1751. 

Place  of  death:    Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     On  January  7th,  in  Dutch  Church. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  City  Inspector  of  Skins,  March.  1715.  Deacon  in 
Dutch  Church,  1720.  Alderman,  July,  1722.  Commissioner 
of  Indian  Affairs,  1728,  for  15  years.     City  Recorder,  1728. 


21.     DIRCK  TEN  BROECK. 
September  29,  1746-Octobor  2,  1749. 
From  a  photograph  made  by  Austin  Engraving  Co.,  from  an  okl  engraving 
owned  by  The  Albany  Institute. 


Xo.  21.  DIRCK    TKX    KROKCK.  235 

1746-174  7. 


Continned  froni  No.  20.) 
1746. 


Dirck  ien  Broeck  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  succeeding  Cor- 
nells Cuyler,  having  been  commissioned  by  Gov.  Geo.  CHnton. 

Population  of  the  colony  of  New  York  61,589. 

i^ive  companies  of  militia  sent  from  New  York  city  to  protect 
Albany  during  the  winter,  in  fear  of  attack  from  the  north  by 
the  French,  September. 

Common  Council  orders  that  every  property  owner  upon  hearing 
the  night  alarm  set  candles  in  their  windows  to  illumine  the 
way  for  those  running  to  the  fort,  September. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council:  Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck,  Sybrant 
G.  Van  Schaick,  I.  Johannis  Roseboom,  Jacob  II.  Ten  Eyck, 
II.  Gerrit  Van  Ness,  Ahasueris  Roseboom,  III.  Election, 
Sept.  2c; ;  sworn  in,  Oct.   14. 

Johannes  Schuyler.  Jun.,  who  had  been  the  19th  Mayor  of  Albany, 
born  on  Oct.  31,  1697,  the  son  of  Johannes  Schuyler  (the  loth 
JMayor)  and  Elizabeth  Staats  (Wendell),  who  married  Cornelia 
Van  Cortlandt  on  Oct.  18,  1723,  a  valiant  colonel  of  militia 
during  troublous  times,  Alderman  of  the  ist  Ward,  Indian 
Commissioner  and  father  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  dies  at  "  The 
Flatts,"  ^'ov.  7. 


1747. 


Col.  William  Jolmson  sends  several  bands  of  Indians  into  Canada, 
and  they  bring  back  a  number  of  scalps  and  many  prisoners. 

Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  who  had  succeeded  his  brother  on  his 
death  in  1745  as  the  6th  Patroon.  dies,  aged  40.  leaving  two 
sons  and  a  daughter  (the  elder  son,  Stephen,  aged  5,  becoming 
later  the  7th  I'atroon,  John  Baptist,  the  younger  son,  to  die  a 
bachelor,  and  the  daughter,  Elisabeth,  to  niarr\-  Mayor  Al)ra- 
ham  Ten  Broeck  on  Nov.  i.  1763), 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Jacol)  C.  Ten  Eyck,  Sybrant  G. 
Van  Schaick,  I.  Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck,  John  Roseboom,  Jun.,  II. 
Gerrit  Van  Ness,  Coenraet  Ten  Eyck,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


236  DIRCK    TEX   BROECK.  No.  21. 

1748. 


1748. 

City  clerk  authorized  to  use  the  city  seal  in  the  presence  of  three 
aldermen,  or  the  Mayor  may  use  it  in  absence  of  the  clerk,  the 
fight  being  renewed  as  to  what  official  should  derive  the  fees 
and  perquisites  from  its  application  to  documents. 

Death  of  Margaret  Schuyler  Collins,  widow  of  Lieut.  John  Collins, 
of  Capt.  Henry  Holland's  English  garrison  at  Albany,  an  im- 
portant name  in  transactions  for  years  to  come  because  of  the 
large  tract  of  lands  the  Indians  had  given  to  her  (2,000  acres, 
July  10,  1714)  situate  near  the  site  of  Fonda,  N.  Y.,  through 
friendship  for  her.  May  15. 

Peace  restored  between  England  and  France  and  quietude  obtaining 
in  the  Province  of  New  York  by  reason  of  the  treaty  of  Aix- 
la-Chapelle,  October. 

Jacob  Coenraedt  Ten  Eyck  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by 
Governor  George  Clinton  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Johannis  de  Peyster,  Jacob  C. 
Ten  Eyck,  I.  Hans  Hansen,  John  Glen,  H.  Coenraet  Ten 
Eyck,  Abraham  Douw,  HL     Election,  Sept.  29 ;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 
•         •         • 

(See  Xo.  22.) 


DIRCK  TEN  BROECK'S  COMMISSION. 

George  II.  of  England  commissioned  "  Dirck  Ten  Brook  to  be  Mayor,  Clerk  of  the 
Alarket  oi  our  City  of  Albany  and  Coroner  of  our  said  City  and  County  of  Albany  for  the 
Year  Ensuing,"  from  Oct.  13,  1747;  signed  Oct.  3,  1747.  (Owned  by  N.  Y.  State 
Library  ;  size,  8>2  x  15  in.  ;  seal,  ^%  in.) 


No.  22. 


Jamb  (Enrnrariit  ®miEyrk 


Oct.  2,  ir^-S  — Oct.  14.  1750. 


No.    22. 

JACOB  COENRAEDT  TEN  EYCK. 

Date  of  office:     October  i_,  1748-October  14,  1750. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  George  Clinton. 

Date  of  appointincnt:     October  3,  1749. 

Date  of  birth:     April  21,  1705. 

Place  of  birth:     Albany. 

Parents:     Coenraedt  (T.  E.)  and  Geertje  \'an  Schaick. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Catharyna  Cuyler. 

Date:     August  17,  1736. 

Children:  (4-3  s.i  d.)  Anthony  (b.  1739,  m.  Maria  Egbertse), 
Coenraedt  (b.  1741,  m.  Charlotte  Ten  Eyck;  then  Geertje 
Ten  Eyck,  1781),  Abraham  (b.  1743,  m.  Annatje  Lansing), 
Catarina  (1746). 

Residence:     First  Ward  and  on  Troy  Road. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     September  9,  1793. 

Place  of  death:     Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemeter\-. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  A  man  of  wealth  and  strict  integrity.  Commissioner  of 
Indian  Afifairs,  November  16,  1752-June  15,  1754.  Member 
of  Committee  of  Safety,  1775.  Judge  of  Court  of  Common 
Pleas. 


No.  22.  JACOB    COENRAEDT    TEN    EYCK.  239 


1748-1749. 


(Continued  from  No.  21.) 
1748. 


Jacob  Coenraedt  Ten  Eyck  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  succeed- 
ing Dirck  Ten  Broeck,  having  been  commissioned  by  Gov. 
George  CHnton, 

PhiHp  Schuyler  (later  becoming  the  famous  general)  having  been 
taught  at  his  home  by  a  Huguenot  tutor  until  15  years  old, 
is  sent  to  New  Rochelle,  the  home  of  the  Huguenot  refugees, 
and  is  placed  in  care  of  Rev.  Mr.  Stouppe,  pastor  of  the  French 
Protestant  Church. 


1749. 


Population  of  Albany  county  (after  drainage  of  the  inhabitants 
by  King  George's  War)  stated  as  9,154  white,  and  1,480  black; 
total  population,  10,634,  May  10. 

Population  of  the  Colony  of  New  York  given  as  73,348,       May  10. 

Peter  Kalm,  collecting  seeds  and  plants  for  the  University  of  Upsala, 
Sweden,  sails  from  New  York  for  Albany,  and  among  the 
incidents  recorded  in  his  journal  may  be  found  the  following: 
"  We  saw  a  whole  fleet  of  little  boats  returning  from  New 
York,  whither  they  had  brought  provisions  and  other  g-oods 
for  sale.  *  *  '^  All  the  yachts  which  ply  between  Albany 
and  New  York,  belong  to  Albany.  *  *  *  They  come 
home  almost  empty,  and  only  bring  a  few  merchandises  with 
them,  among  which  rum  is  the  chief.  *  *  *  The  people 
in  it  do  not  row  sitting  (canoes  with  the  yachts)  but  commonly 
a  fellow  stands  at  one  end,  with  a  short  oar  in  his  hand,  with 
which  he  governs  and  brings  the  canoe  forward.  *  *  * 
Battoes  are  another  kind  of  boats,  which  are  much  in  use  at 
Albany.  *  *  *  The  bottom  is  flat  that  they  may  row  the 
better  in  shallow  water.  *  *  *  They  are  chiefly  made  use 
of  for  carrying  goods,  by  means  of  the  rivers  to  the  Indians. 
*  *  *  They  sow  wheat  in  the  neighborhood  of  Albany  with 
great  advantage.  From  one  bushel  they  get  twelve  sometimes  : 
if  the  soil  be  good  they  get  twenty  bushels  from  one.  *  *  * 
The  wheat  flour  from  Albany  is  reckoned  the  best  in  all  North 
Americs.,  except  that  from  Sopus.  *  *  *  They  are  un- 
acquainted with  stoves,  and  their  chimneys  are  so  wide  that 
one  could  drive  through  them  wath  a  cart  and  horses.  The 
water  of  several  wells  in  this  town  was  verv  cool  about  this 


240  JACOB  COENRAEDT  TEN  EYCK.  No,  22. 

1749. 


time,  but  had  a  kind  of  acid  taste  which  was  not  very  agreeable. 
"*'  *  *  I  think  this  water  is  not  very  wholesome  for  people  who 
,are  not  used  to  it,  though  the  inhabitants  of  Albany  who  drink 
it  every  day,  say  that  they  do  not  feel  the  least  inconvenience 
from  it.  Almost  every  house  in  xA-lbany  has  its  well,  the  water 
of  which  is  applied  to  common  use;  but  for  tea,  brewing  and 
washing,  they  commonly  take  the  water  of  the  river.  *  *  * 
There  are  two  churches  in  Albany,  an  English  one  and  a  Dutch 
one.  The  Dutch  church  stands  at  some  distance  from  the  river, 
on  the  east  side  of  the  market.  It  is  built  of  stone ;  and  in  the 
middle  it  has  a  small  steeple,  with  a  bell.  It  has  but  one 
minister,  who  preaches  twice  every  Sunday.  The  English 
church  is  situated  on  the  hill,  at  the  west  end  of  the  market, 
directly  under  the  fort.  It  is  likewise  built  of  stone,  but  has 
no  steeple.  *  "  *  The  town-hall  lies  to  the  southward  of 
the  Dutch  church,  close  by  the  riverside.  It  is  a  fine  buifding 
of  stone,  three  stories  high.  It  has  a  small  tower  or  steeple 
with  a  bell,  and  a  gilt  ball  and  vane  at  the  top  of  it.  The 
houses  in  this  town  are  very  neat,  and  partly  built  with  stones 
covered  with  shingles  of  the  White  Pine.  Some  are  slated 
with  tiles  from  Holland,  because  the  clay  of  this  neighborhood 
is  not  reckoned  fit  for  tiles.  Most  of  the  houses  are  built  in 
the  old  way,  with  the  gable-end  towards  the  street ;  a  few 
excepted.  *  *  *  The  gutters  on  the  roofs  reach  almost  to 
the  middle  of  the  street.  This  preserves  the  walls  from  being 
damaged  by  the  rain  ;  but  is  extremely  disagreeable  in  rainy 
weather  for  the  people  in  the  streets,  there  being  hardly  any 
means  of  avoiding  the  water.  The  street-doors  are  generally 
in  the  middle  of  the  houses ;  and  on  both  sides  are  seats,  on 
which,  during  fair  weather,  the  people  spend  almost  the  whole 
day,  especially  on  those  which  are  in  the  shadow  of  the  houses. 
In  the  evening  these  seats  are  covered  with  people  of  both 
sexes ;  but  this  is  rather  troublesome,  as  those  who  pass  are 
obliged  to  greet  every  body.  *  *  *  The  streets  upon  the 
whole  are  very  dirty,  because  the  people  leave  their  cattle  in 
them  during  the  summer  nights.  *  *  *  The  fort  lies  higher 
than  any  other  building,  on  a  high,  steep  hill  on  the  west  of  the 
town.  It  is  a  great  building  of  stone,  surrounded  with  high 
and  thick  walls.  Its  situation  is  very  bad,  as  it  can  only  serve  to 
keep  off  plundering  parties,  without  being  able  to  sustain  a 
siege.  ^'-  '■'■■  '■■  The  river  Hudson,  which  flows  by  it,  is  from 
twelve  to  twenty  feet  deep.  There  is  not  yet  any  quay  made 
for  the  better  lading  of  the  yachts,  because  the  people  feared 
it  would  suffer  greatly  or  be  entirely  carried  away  in  spring 


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1749. 

by  the  ice.  which  then  comes  down  the  river.  The  vessels 
which  arc  in  use  here,  may  come  pretty  near  the  shore  in  order 
to  be  laden,  and  heavy  goods  are  brought  to  them  upon  canoes 
tied  together.  *  *  *  There  is  not  a  place  in  all  the  British 
colonies,  the  Hudson's  Bay  settlement  excepted,  where  such 
quantities  of  furs  and  skins  are  bought  of  the  Indians  as  at 
Albany.  *  *  *  ]\Iany  people  have  assured  me  that  the 
•  Indians  are  frequently  cheated  in  disposing  of  their  goods, 
especially  when  they  are  in  liquor ;  and  that  sometimes  they  do 
not  get  one-half,  or  even  one  tenth  of  the  value  of  their  goods. 
I  have  been  a  witness  to  several  transactions  of  this  kind.  The 
merchants  of  Albany  glory  in  these  tricks,  and  are  highly 
pleased  when  they  have  given  a  poor  Indian  a  greater  portion 
of  brandy  than  he  can  bear,  and  when  they  can  after  that  get 
all  his  goods  for  mere  trifles.  The  Indians  often  find,  when 
the\-  are  sober  again,  that  they  have  been  cheated ;  they  grumble 
somewhat,  but  are  soon  satisfied  when  they  reflect  that  they 
have  for  once  drank  as  much  as  they  are  able  of  a  liquor  which 
they  value  beyond  anything  else  in  the  whole  world  and  they 
are  quite  insensible  to  their  loss,  if  they  again  get  a  draught  of 
this  nectar.  *  *  *  The  greater  part  of  the  merchants  at 
Albany  have  extensive  estates  in  the  country  and  a  great  deal 
of  wood.  If  their  estates  have  a  little  brook,  they  do  not  fail 
to  erect  a  saw-mill  upon  it.  *  *  '''  Many  people  at  Albany 
make  the  wampum  of  the  Indians,  which  is  their  ornament  and 
their  money,  by  grinding  some  kinds  of  shells  and  muscles : 
this  is  a  considerable  profit  to  the  inhabitants.  '^  *  *  If  a 
Jew,  who  understands  the  art  of  getting  forward  pretty  well, 
should  settle  amongst  them,  they  would  not  fail  to  ruin  him. 
*  *  *  The  inhabitants  of  Albany  are  much  more  sparing 
than  the  English.  The  meat  which  is  served  up  is  often  in- 
sufficient to  satisfy  the  stomach,  and  the  bowl  does  not  circulate 
so  freely  as  amongst  the  English.  The  women  are  perfectly 
well  acquainted  with  economy  ;  they  rise  early,  go  to  sleep  very 
late,  and  are  almost  over  nice  and  cleanly  in  regard  to  the 
floor,  which  is  frequently  scoured  several  times  in  the  week. 
The  servants  in  the  town  are  chiefly  negroes.  Some  of  the 
inhabitants  wear  their  own  hair,  but  it  is  very  short,  without 
a  bag  or  queue,  which  are  looked  upon  as  the  characteristics  of 
Frenchmen ;  and  as  I  wore  my  hair  in  a  bag  the  first  day  I 
came  here  from  Canada,  I  was  surrounded  with  children,  who 
called  me.  Frenchman  and  some  of  the  boldest  offered  to  pull  at 
my  French  dress.  Their  meat  and  manner  of  dressing  it  is 
very  different   from  that  of  the  English.     Their  breakfast  is 


242  JACOB  -COENRAEDT    TEN    EYCK.  No.  22. 


1749-1750. 


tea,  commonly  without  milk.  About  thirty  or  forty  years  ago, 
tea  was  unknown  to  them,  and  they  breakfasted  either  upon 
bread  and  butter  or  bread  and  milk.  They  never  put  sugar  into 
the  cup,  but  take  a  small  bit  of  it  into  their  mouths  whilst  they 
drink.  Along  with  the  tea  they  eat  bread  and  butter,  with 
slices  of  hung  beef.  Coffee  is  not  usual  here :  they  breakfast 
generally  about  seven.  Their  dinner  is  buttermilk  with  bread, 
to  which  they  sometimes  add  sugar,  and  then  it  is  a  delicious 
dish  for  them  ;  or  fresh  milk  and  bread  ;  or  boiled  or  roasted 
flesh.  They  sometimes  make  use  of  butter-milk  instead  of  fresh 
milk  to  boil  a  thin  kind  of  porridge  with,  which  tastes  very 
sour,  but  not  disagreeable  in  hot  weather.  To  each  dinner  they 
have  a  great  salad,  prepared  with  abundance  of  vinegar  and 
very  little  or  no  oil.  They  frequently  eat  butter-milk,  bread 
and  salad,  one  mouthful  after  another.  Their  supper  is  gen- 
erally bread  and  butter,  and  milk  and  bread.  They  sometimes 
eat  cheese  at  breakfast  and  at  dinner :  it  is  not  in  slices,  but 
scraped  or  rasped,  so  as  to  resemble  coarse  flour,  which  they 
pretend  adds  to  the  good  taste  of  cheese.  They  commonl}' 
drink  very  small  beer  or  pure  water."  June  lo. 

Rev.  John  Ogilvie,  preparing  to  be  the  rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church 
and  having  studied  under  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson,  takes  a  letter 
of  recommendation  from  him  to  the  Bishop  of  London,  who 
forthwith  ordains  him  and  issues  a  license  authorizing  him  to 
officiate  in  the  "Plantations"   (American  colonies).     June  30. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council:  johannis  de  Peyster,  Isaac 
Staats,  I.  Hans  Hansen,  John  Glen,  11.  Abraham  Dow 
(Douw),  Harme  (iansevoort,  HI.    Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  ir. 

Oct.  14. 


1750. 


Rev.  John  Ogilvie,  D.  D..  first  officiates  at  St.  Peter's  Church,  as 

its  new  rector,  Feb.  27. 

Robert  Sanders  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by  Gov.  Geo. 

Clinton. 
Charter  election.  Common  Council:    Johannis  de  Peyster,  Johaniii- 
van    Sante,    I.     John    Glen,    Jacob   Ten    Eyck,    II.     Abraliam 
Douw,  Harme  Gansevoort,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29 :  sworn  in. 

Oct.  14. 
*         •         • 

(See  No.  23.) 


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No.  23. 


Snbrrt  B^anirrs. 


Oct.  15,  1750 ,  1754. 


No.  23. 
ROBERT  SANDERS. 

Date  of  office:     October  15,  1 750-1 754. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  George  Clinton. 

Date  of  birth:     July  11,  1705. 

Place  of  birth:     Albany. 

Parents:     Barent  (S.)  and  Maria  Wendell. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     (a)    Maria  Lansing,     (d.  Feb.  16,  1743). 
(b)   Elizabeth  Schuyler. 

Date:     (a)   December  6,  1740. 
(b)   January  11,  1747. 

Children:  (10-4  s.  6  d.)  (a)  Barent  (b.  February  4,  1743;  d. 
October  30,  1743).  (b)  Maria  (b.  August  21,  1747;  d.  Sep- 
tember 6,  1747),  a  son  (b.  and  d.  July  20,  1748),  Maria 
b.  October  15,  1749;  m.  Philip  Van  Rensselaer),  Catrina 
b.  February  18,  1752 ;  d.  July  26,  1771  ;  m.  Henry  Ten  Eyck), 
Barent  (b.  December  14,  1753;  d.  October  15,  1756),  Pieter 
(b.  December  2,  1755;  d.  May  4,  1774),  Deborah  (b.  Feb- 
ruary 8,  1858;  d.  November  28,  1798;  m.  John  Sanders  of 
Scotia),  Elizabeth  (b.  July  9,  1760;  d.  August  13,  1760), 
Elizabeth  (b.  December  18,  1761  ;  d.  April  25,  1786). 

Oecnpation:     Merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     May  24,  1765. 

Place  of  death:     Albany. 

Place  of  burial:  Beneath  pew  in  Dutch  Church ;  removed  to  San- 
ders family  cemetery,  Scotia,  N.  Y.,  1805. 

Title:     Captain. 

Remarks:  Acted  most  important  parts  in  dealings  conducted  with 
the  Indian  tribes. 


23.     ROBERT  SANDERS. 

1750-1754- 
From  a  photograph   made  liy  Knapp,   Albany,  of  the  oil  painting  made  in 
1722,   hanging  in   1904  in   the   house  of  his  great-great-grandson,   Charles   P. 
Sanders,  Scctia,  X.  Y. 


No.  23.  ROBERT    SAXUERS.  245 

1750-1751. 

(Continued  from  No.  22.)     • 
1750. 


Robert  Sanders  sworn  as  the  Alayor  of  Albany,  succeeding  Jacob 
Coenraedt  Ten  Eyck,  having  been  commissioned  by  Gov.  George 
Clinton,  Oct.  15. 

Common  Council  orders  the  bell  of  the  City  Hall  rung  at  noon  as 
well,  as  formerly,  at  8  o'clock  at  night. 

No  docks  at  this  period,  vessels  loading  cargoes  by  pontoons  of 
canoes,  while  anchored  in  deep  water  from  shore, 

King  George  11.  gives  silver  medals  or  tokens,  twice  the  size  of 
silver  dollars,  bearing  the  likenesses  of  himself  and  wife.  Queen 
Caroline,  suspended  on  long  chains,  to  the  chiefs  of  the  five 
Indian  tribes  of  the  Iroquois  confederation  of  New  York,  be- 
cause of  aid  rendered  the  British  arms  in  fighting  the  French. 


1751. 


Dirck  Ten  Broeck,  who  had  been  the  21st  Mayor  of  Albany,  born 
Dec.  4,  1686,  the  son  of  Wessel  Ten  Broeck  and  Caatje  Loocker- 
mans,  and  who  married  Margarita  Cuyler,  on  Nov.  26,  17 14, 
an  Alderman,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  for  15  years 
following  1728,  the  City  Recorder  in  1728,  and  a  deacon  of  the 
Dutch  Church,  dies,  Jan.  3. 

Corporation,  by  order  of  the  Common  Council,  sells  at  auction  the 
exclusive  one-year's  right  to  Cornelius  Van  Vechten  to  ferry 
from  Greenbush  to  Albany  for  3  pounds  19  shillings,  and  to 
Jeremiah  the  sole  right  to  ferry  from  Albany  to  Greenbush  for 
one  year,  for  3  pounds  4  shilHngs,  March  2. 

Agitation  started  by  the  vestry  of  St.  Peter's  Church  to  reconstruct 
it  largely  by  the  erection  of  a  tower  or  spire  rising  at  the  gable 
nearest  Fort  Frederick,  further  up  Yonkers  (State)  street,  and 
by  placing  a  bell  in  the  tower,  one  purchased  at  London  from 
Warner  &  Co.  (erroneously  styled  in  the  next  century  "  the 
Queen  Anne  bell  ")  and  now  first  hung,  March  6. 

Thirty-three  canoes,  holding  about  two  hundred  of  the  Six  Nations, 
come  to  Albany  for  conference  with  Gov.  George  Clinton, 
whereat  are  also  present  the  Indian  Commissioners  from  Massa- 
chusetts, Connecticut  and  South  Carolina,  the  Governor  of  the 
last-named  province  sending  six  Catawba  sachems  to  make 
peace  with  the  Six  Nations ;  wampum  belts  are  exchanged, 
tomahawks  buried  and  the  calumet  smoked,  Jwly. 


246  ROBERT    SANDERS.  No.  23. 


1751-1753. 


Charter  election,  jCommon  Council:  Johannis  de  Peyster,  Johanni.> 
van  Sante,  I.  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  John  Glen,  II.  Abraham 
Douw.  Harme  Gansevoort,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


1752. 


New  city  seal  (showing  the  beaver)  adopted,  the  old  one  (with 
letters  ALB)  being  declared  null  and  void  and  dead  in  law,  and 
the  new  one  declared  for  the  use  of  the  Common  Council, 

April  28. 

Massachusetts  disputes  her  western  boundary  line  with  New  York, 
the  former  claiming  by  Charter  the  lands  from  the  eastern 
boundary  of  the  colony  (  Massachusetts  seaboard  on  the  At- 
lantic) westward  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  consequently 
seriously  encroached  on  the  manors  of  Hendrick  Van  Rensselaer 
and  of  Robert  Livingston  to  the  south  of  it,  sometimes  the 
Massachusetts  ofificers  being  captured  and  hurried  off  to  the 
Albany  gaol,  and  again  the  Albany  sheriiif  being  captured  and 
taken  to  the  Springfield  lock-up, —  hence,  Livingston  writes  to 
Governor  Clinton  to  complain  strenuously  to  Massachusetts' 
Governor,  April. 

New  citv  seal  used  on  all  public  documents,  the  Mayor  or  Aldermen 
to  be  paid  3  shillings,  in  fees,  and  the  clerk  6  shillings,  for 
placing  seal  to  any  instrument,  jLine  30. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Johannis  de  Peyster,  Johannis 
van  Sante,  I.  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  John  Glen,  II.  Abraham 
Dow  (Douw),  Harme  Gansevoort,  III.  Election,  Scot.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


1753. 


Philip  Ryley  given  charge  of  the  town-clock  by  the  Council. 

Common  Council  draws  up  a  petition  to  Gov.  George  Clinton,  re- 
questing him  to  levy  a  tax  on  the  Province  in  order  to  raise 
$30,000  with  which  to  build  a  stone  wall  about  Albany,  claiming, 
as  a  frontier  town,  it  should  be  fortified  at  expense  of  the  colony. 

May  29. 

Ferry  charges  fixed  by  the  Common  Council  at  3  coppers  per  head. 

Lords  of  Trade  address  letters  to  the  governors  of  Massachusetts, 
New    Hampshire,    New    Jersey,    Pennsylvania,    Maryland    and 


ALBANY  SEAL  OF  1752. 
The  first  city  seal  of  1686,  with  letters 
-"ALB,"  declared  dead  in  law  and  this 
one  adopted  on  April  28,  1752. 


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No.  2^.  ROl'.KKT    SAXUERS.  247 

1753-1754. 


\'irginia,  requesting'  commissioners  to  assemble  at  Albany  in 
Colonial  Congress,  in  order  to  discuss  and  if  possible  con- 
federate the  colonies  for  their  mutual  defense  against  a  common 
enemy,  Whitehall,  Sept.    18. 

Sir  Danvers  Osborne  begins  the  administration  of  the  Trovince  of 
New  York  as  its  Governor,  Oct.  10. 

Governor  Danvers  Osborne,  overcome  by  the  difficulties  and  vexa- 
•   tions  of  his  new  office,  cjuarrels  and  criticisms,  commits  suicide, 

Oct.    12. 

James  de  Lancey  (born  in  New  York  city  on  Nov.  27,  1703,  the 
son  of  Stephen  de  Lancey,  who  arrived  there  on  June  7,  1686, 
and  married  Anne  Van  Cortlandt  on  Jan.  23.  1700)  succeeds 
Sir  Danvers  Osborne  in  the  administration  of  affairs  of  the 
Province  of  New  York,  but  cannot  be  made  its  Governor  be- 
cause born  in  the  limits  of  the  colony,  Oct.  12. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council:  Johannis  de  Peyster,  Johannis 
van  Sante,  I.  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  John  Glen,  II.  Abraham 
Dow  (Douw),  John  H.  Ten  Eyck,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


1754. 


The  provinces  deciding  to  send  commissioners  to  Albany,  the  same 
gather  in  Colonial  Congress  at  the  court-house,  located  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Court  (Broadway)  and  Spanish  streets 
(Hudson  ave.),and  proceed  to  discuss  the  proposition  of  peace- 
ful co-operation  with  the  Indians,  Wednesday,  June  19. 

Commissioners  at  the  Colonial  Congress  include :  For  Massachu- 
setts—  Samuel  Welles,  John  Chandler,  Thomas  Hutchinson, 
Oliver  Partridge,  John  Worthington;  for  New  Hampshire  — 
Theodore  Atkinson,  Richard  Wibird,  Meshech  Weare,  Henry 
Sherburne,  Jun. ;  for  Connecticut  —  William  Pitkin,  Roger 
Wolcott,  Jun.,  Elisha  Williams ;  for  Rhode  Island  —  Stephen 
Hopkins,  Martin  Howard.  Jun. ;  for  Pennsylvania  —  John 
Penn,  Richard  Peters,  Isaac  Norris,  Benjamin  Franklin ;  for 
Maryland  —  Col.  Benjamin  Tasker,  Maj.  Abraham  Barnes, 

June   19. 

Rev.  Richard  Peters  ( commissioner  to  Colonial  Congress  from 
Pennsylvania)  preaches  the  sermon  at  service  at  St.  Peter's 
Church,  attended  by  the  delegates,  on  Sunday.  June  23. 

Motion  is  made. before  the  Colonial  Congress  that  the  commissioners 
state  their  various  opinions  as  to  the  formation  of  a  imion  of  the 


248  ROBERT    SANDERS.  No.  23. 


1754. 


colonies  as  being  gravely  necessary  for  their  future  security, 
which  motion  being  passed  unanimously  a  committee  is  named 
consisting  of  Thomas  Hutchinson,  Theodore  Atkinson,  William 
Pitkin,  Stephen  Hopkins,  Benjamin  Franklin  and  Benjamin 
Tasker,  "  to  prepare  and  receive  plans  or  schemes  for  the  union 
of  the  colonies,  and  to  digest  them  into  one  general  plan  "  ro 
be  announced  to  the  convention  so  soon  as  formulated,  June  24. 

Colonial  Congress  having  had  an  extended  debate  on  the  matter, 
accepts  by  vote  the  "  Plan  of  a  proposed  Union  of  the  several 
colonies  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  New  Hampshire.  Connecticut, 
Rhode  Island,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Mary- 
land, \'irginia,  North  Carolina  and  South  Carolina,  for  their 
mutual  defence  and  securit}',"  and  it  is  then  proposed  that  the 
colonies  make  humble  application  to  be  granted  by  Act  of  Par- 
liament the  right  to  form  one  general  government  in  America, 
under  which  each  colony  might  retain  its  constitution  excepting 
in  those  particulars  which  the  government  of  the  crown  might 
wish  to  change,  in  order  that  the  general  government  so  created 
might  be  administered  by  a  president-general  appointed  by  the 
crown  and  the  grand  council  chosen  by  the  representatives  of 
the  several  colonies,  convening  in  their  assemblies,  and  the 
proportionate  representation  was  to  be :  Massachusetts  Bay,  7 ; 
New  Hampshire,  2 ;  Connecticut,  5 ;  Rhode  Island.  2 ;  New 
York,  4 ;  New  Jersey,  3 ;  Pennsylvania,  6 ;  Maryland.  4 ;  \'ir- 
ginia,  7;  North  Carolina,  4;  South  Carolina.  4;  total,  48  mem- 
bers, J^iiy- 

Colonial  Congress  adjourns,  designating  Philadelphia  the  place  for 
the  next  assembling,  July  11. 

French  violate  the  Aix-la-Chapelle  treaty,  a  band  of  French  Indians 
burning  houses  at  Hoosick  and  about  sixty  Schaghticoke  In- 
dians going  with  the  invaders  to  Canada,  -^^^^g-  -8. 

Lieutenant-Governor  De  Lancey  orders  new  stockades  placed  at 
Albany  and  the  militia  of  the  nearby  counties  to  be  held  ready 
to  proceed  thither,  September. 

Johannes  ("Hans")  Hansen  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany 
by  Lieut. -Governor  James  De  Lancey. 


(See  No.  17.) 


CITY  HALL  OF  1740. 

Erected  on  site  of  old  Stadt  Huis  of  Nov.,  1673,  at  n.  e.  cor.  Broad- 
way and  Hudson  ave.,  Oct.  20,  1740;  law  amended  Apr.  29,  1743,  to 
provide  $2,000  to  complete.  First  Colonial  Congress  met  herein  June  ig, 
1754  ;  vacated  Nov.  i,  1808,  and  offices  moved  into  Capitol  just  completed 
at  head  of  State  st.     Destroyed  by  fire  Apr.  30,  1836. 


No.  24. 

^ybraut  (^czm  Ian  ^dtairk. 


,  1756  — Sept.  28,  1761. 


No.  24. 
SYBRANT  GOZEN  \'AX  SCHAICK. 

Date  of  office:     1756-September  28,  1761. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  (Sir)  Charles  Hardy. 

Date  of  Birth:     December  19,  1708. 

Parents:     Cozen  (V.  S.)  and  Catarina  Staats. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Alida  Roseboom. 

Date:     December  11,  1735. 

Children:  (7-4  s.  3  d.)  Cozen  (b.  1736,  m.  Maria  Ten  Broeck), 
Maria  (1738),  Ryckie  (1741),  Myndert  (1743),  Catharina 
(1745),  Maria  (b.  1745,  m.  Philip  Conyn),  Myndert  (1751). 

Residence:  South  corner  Market  street  (Broadway)  and  Exchange 
street. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Title:     Honorable. 


24.     SYBRANT  GOZEN  VAX  SCHAICK. 
1756-1761. 
From  an   old   oi!    priiiitin<?  hanginsj:  in    1904   in    the   Iniilding  of  the   Alhany 
Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society. 


No.  24.  SVP.KAXT    GOZEX    VAX    SCIIAICK.  25 1 


1756-1757. 


(Continued  from  Xo.  17.) 
1756. 


Sybrant  Gozen  \'an  Schaick  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  suc- 
ceeding Johannes  ("Hans")  Hansen,  having  been  commis- 
sioned such  by  Sir  Charles  Hardy,  Governor  of  the  Province 
of  New  York. 

Small-pox  epidemic,  October. 

Johannes  ("  Hans  ")  Hansen,  who  had  been  the  previous  Alayor 
(the  17th)  of  Albany,  born  in  June,  1695,  the  son  of  Hendrick 
Hansen,  the  5th  Mayor  of  Albany,  and  Debora  Van  Dam,  and 
who  married  Sara  Cuyler,  the  daughter  of  Johannes  Cuyler, 
the  14th  Mayor  on  April  25,  1723,  dies  at  his  residence  in  this 
citv,  December. 


1757. 


Birth  of  Alexander  Hamilton  (who  on  Dec.  14,  1780,  marries  Gen. 
Philip  Schuyler's  second  daughter,  Elizabeth,  at  the  Schuyler 
Mansion  in  the  southern  part  of  the  city)  in  the  island  of  Nevis, 
West  Indies,  Jan.  11. 

Sir  Charles  Hardy  resigns  as  Governor  of  the  Province  of  New 
York,  preferring  naval  life  as  an  Admiral  of  the  British  Navy, 
and  James  de  Lancey  again  administers  as  Lieut. -Governor, 

June  3. 

Hendrick  Van  Rensselaer's  Claverack  patent  involved  in  the  Massa- 
chusetts-New York  boundary  dispute,  a  matter  so  serious  along 
the  line  that  wherever  there  were  dwellers  riots  occurred  with 
such  frequency  as  to  make  it  unsafe  to  own  a  farm  near  the 
boundary,  and  in  one  of  these  pitched  battles  between  mobs  two 
men  were  killed,  and  threats  made  to  take  both  Hendriciv  \'an 
Rensselaer  and  Livingston  dead  or  alive,  Ji^i'v- 

Duncan  ]\Ic\lcar,  father  of  Mrs.  Anne  MacVicar  Grant  (born  at 
Glasgow,  Feb.  21,  1755)  who  wrote  of  Mrs.  Philip  Schuyler 
in  "  Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady,"  (pub'd  at  London  in 
1808)  comes  to  America  as  an  officer  of  the  51st  British 
Regiment,  his  wife  and  daughter  remaining  at  home  (another 
year  before  joining  him). 

Montcalm's  French  troops  succeed  in  massacring  the  English  gar- 
rison at  Fort  William  Henry  at  southern  end  of  Lake  George, 

Ausfust. 


252  SYBRANT    GOZEN    VAN    SCHAICK.  No.  24. 


1757. 


Elizabeth  Schuyler,  the  second  daughter  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler 
and  Catherine  Van  Rensselaer  (to  marry  Alexander  Hamilton 
at  the  Schuyler  Mansion  in  the  southern  part  of  the  city  on 
Dec.  14,  1780),  born  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Yonkers  (State) 
street  and  Pearl   (house  removed  later  to  widen  Pearl  street), 

Aug-.  7. 

Albanians  fear  an  attack  from  the  French  and  refugees  flock  thither 
and  with  the  soldiers  arriving  for  defence  crowd  the  city.  Of 
the  latter  Mrs.  Anne  Grant  in  her  "  Memoirs  of  an  American 
Lady  "  writes :  "  Those  polished  strangers  now  began  to  make 
a  part  of  general  society.  *  *  *  By  this  time  the  Anglo- 
mania was  beginning  to  spread.  A  sect  arose  among  the  young 
people,  who  seemed  resolved  to  assume  a  lighter  style  of  dress 
and  manners,  and  to  borrow  their  taste  in  those  respects  from 
their  new  friends.  '■'  *  *  The  colonel  of  the  regiment,  who 
was  a  man  of  fashion  and  family,  and  possessed  talents  for 
both  good  and  evil  purposes,  was  young  and  gay,  and  being 
lodged  in  the  house  of  a  very  wealthy  citizen,  who  had  before, 
in  some  degree,  afifected  the  newer  modes  of  living,  so  capti- 
vated him  with  his  good  breeding  and  afl:'ability,  that  he  was 
ready  to  humor  any  scheme  of  diversion  which  the  colonel  and 
his  associates  proposed.  Under  the  auspices  of  this  gallant 
commander,  balls  began  to  be  concerted,  and  a  degree  of  flutter 
and  frivolity  to  take  place,  which  was  as  far  from  elegance  as 
it  was  from  the  honest,  artless  cheerfulness  of  the  meetings 
usual  among  them." 

The  first  theatrical  performance  given  at  Albany,  a  private  affair 
by  the  British  officers  quartered  here  for  the  wdnter,  is  criticised 
by  Mrs.  Grant  in  her  "  Memoirs  "  as  follows :  "  Now  the  very 
ultimatum  of  degeneracy,  in  the  opinion  of  those  simple  good 
people,  was  approaching ;  for  now  the  officers,  encouraged  by 
the  success  of  all  their  projects  for  amusement,  resolved  to 
new-fashion  and  enlighten  those  amiable  novices  whom  their 
former  schemes  had  attracted  within  the  sphere  of  their  influ- 
ence ;  and  for  this  purpose  a  private  theatre  was  fitted  up  and 
preparations  made  for  acting  a  play.  *  "  *  The  play 
*  *  *  was  acted  in  a  barn  and  pretty  well  attended. 
;i:  *  *  j^  ^^^^g  ^|-jg  Beaux'  Stratagem,  no  favorable  specimen 
of  the  delicacy  or  morality  of  the  British  theatre ;  and  for  the 
wit  it  contained  very  little  of  that  was  level  to  the  comprehen- 
sion of  the  novices  wdio  were  there  first  initiated  into  a  knowledge 
of  the  magic  of  the  scene.  *  *  *  They  laughed  very  heartily 
at  seeing  the  gav  voung  ensigns,  whom  thev  had  been  used  to- 


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No.  24.  SYBRANT    GOZEN    VAN    SCHAICK.  253; 

1757-1758. 

dance  with,  flirting  fans,  displaying  great  hoops,  and,  with 
painted  cheeks  and  colored  eyebrows,  sailing  about  in  female 
habiliments.  '•'  *  *  The  fame  of  their  exhibition  went 
abroad,  and  opinions  were  formed  of  them  no  way  favorable 
to  the  actors  or  to  the  audience.  In  this  region  of  reality, 
where  rigid  truth  was  always  undisguised,  they  had  not  learned 
to  distinguish  between  fiction  and  falsehood.  It  was  said  that 
the  officers,  familiar  with  every  vice  and  every  disguise,  had 
not  only  spent  a  whole  night  in  telling  lies  in  a  counterfeited 
place,  the  reality  of  which  had  never  existed,  but  that  they 
were  themselves  a  lie,  and  had  degraded  manhood  and  broken 
through  an  express  prohibition  in  Scripture  by  assuming  female 
habits ;  that  they  had  not  only  told  lies,  but  cursed  and  swore 
the  whole  night,  and  assumed  the  characters  of  knaves,  fools, 
and  robbers,  which  every  good  and  wise  man  held  in  detesta- 
tion, and  no  one  would  put  on  unless  they  felt  themselves  easy 
in  them.  Painting  their  faces,  of  all  other  things,  seemed 
most  to  violate  the  Albanian  ideas  of  decorum,  and  was  looked 
upon  as  a  most  flagrant  abomination.  Great  and  loud  was  the 
outcry  produced  by  it.  Little  skilled  in  sophistry,  and  strangers 
to  all  the  arts  '  that  make  the  worse  appear  the  better  reason,' 
the  young  auditors  could  only  say  '  that  indeed  it  was  very 
amusing,  made  them  laugh  heartily,  and  did  harm  to  nobody.'" 
So  harmless,  indeed,  did  this  entertainment  appear  to  the  new 
converts  of  fashion,  that  The  Recruiting  Officer  was  given 
out  for  another  night."'  Winter  of  1757. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Johannis  van  Sante,  Volckert 
P.  Douw,  I.  John  R.  Bleecker,  John  Beekman  (Beeckman, 
Jun.),  II.  Abraham  Douw,  Johannis  H.  Ten  Eyck,  III.  Elec- 
tion Sept.  29;  sworn  in,  ^  Oct.  14. 


1758. 


Lord  Howe  and  his  56th  Regiment  pitch  camp  at  Wolven 
Hoeck,  opposite  the  lower  end  of  Albany,  between  Volckert 
Petrus  Douw's  one-and-a-half-story  wood  and  brick  house 
and  the  river  shore,  the  holes  where  the  soldiers  suspended 
their  camp-kettles,  remaining  visible  evidence  for  many  years 
(until  1875),  and  while  breaking  in  his  troops  surprises  his 
brother  officers  by  his  abandonment  of  much  useless  extrava- 
gant paraphernalia  for  the  march,  such  as  table  service,  also 


254  SYBRANT    GOZEN    VAN    SCHAICK.  No.  24. 


1758. 


while  awaiting  orders  to  march  northward  through  the  woods 
to  Canada,  he  introduces  the  novelty  of  blackening  the  muskets 
to  prevent  glitter  and  shows  the  men  how  to  make  woolen 
leggins  to  prevent  underbrush  from  cutting  their  lower  clothing, 
meanwhile  riding  on  horseback  daily  to  breakfast  with  the 
Schuylers  at  the  Flatts,  June. 

Gen.  James  Abercrombie's  British  army  encamped  in  "  the  Pasture  '' 
south  of  the  city  and  some  across  the  river,  June. 

It  was  at  this  time  that  an  event  of  national  renown  transpired, — 
the  composing  of  the  satirical  song,  "  Yankee  Doodle."  While 
Gen.  James  Abercrombie's  British  army  is  encamped  across  the 
river,  pitching  tents  along  the  Greenbush  shore  from  Fort 
Crailo  southward  to  Douw's  Point,  preparatory  to  first  recruit- 
ing and  then  marching  northward  to  Ticonderoga  to  attack 
Montcalm  who  had  been  advancing  wdth  French  troops  from 
Canada,  the  various  sorts  of  local  troopers  pouring  in  to  join 
his  ranks  amaze  and  amuse  the  British  officers,  among  whom  is 
Dr.  Shackburg  (or  Shuckburgh)  the  surgeon.  The  rough 
farmers  from  hereabouts  and  adjacent  colonies,  of  all  ages  and 
conditions,  are  a  motle}'  throng  as  they  stand  beside  the  British 
troops,  some  wearing  long  coats,  some  abbreviated,  and  others 
none  at  all ;  the  color  of  their  raiment  of  all  hues ;  their  hair 
cropped,  or  on  some  falling  to  the  shoulder.  The  surgeon 
(seated  by  the  well  in  the  rear  of  Fort  Crailo,  it  is  said)  who 
was  a  musician  as  well  as  the  wit  of  the  army  corps,  grasps  the 
humorous  situation  at  once  and  composes  a  tune  that  he  calls 
"  Yankee  Doodle/'  which  he  recommends  to  the  British  music 
corps  as  good  martial  music  to  march  by,  and  it  is  played  by 
them  to  the  amusement  of  the  British  particularly,  who  little 
think  of  the  chagrin  to  be  theirs  when  the  same  tune  is  played 
and  sung  later  at  Bunker  Hill  to  thrill  American  troops  fighting 
against  the  British,  and  again  when  Lord  Cornwallis  marched 
his  army  into  the  American  lines  to  surrender,  June,  1758. 

Lord  George  Augustus  Scrope,  Viscount  Howe  (born  in  1724). 
commanding  the  56th  Regiment  of  the  British  army,  kille'd  in  a 
sharp  engagement  against  the  French  at  Fort  Ticonderoga, 

July  6. 

General  Abercrombie  defeated  at  Ticonderoga  by  Montcalm,   July  8. 

Capt.  Philip  Schuyler  (later  General)  brings  the  body  of  his  inti- 
mate and  beloved  brother  officer,  Lord  Howe,  to  his  home  at 
the  Flatts,  at  Watervliet,  July  10. 

Gen.  James  Abercrombie  makes  a  successful  attack  on  Fort  Carillon, 
held  by  the  French  at  Ticonderoga,  and  falls  back  on  Fort 
William  Henry,  July. 


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LORD  HOWE'S  BURIAL. 

The  record  in  St.  Peter's  old  "Church  Book",  made  on  Sept.  5, 
1758,  shows  that  Lord  Howe  was  buried  there.  He  was  killed  at  Trout 
Brook  on  July  6th. 


No.  24.  SYBRANT    GOZEN    VAX    SCIIAICK.  255 


1758-1759. 


Col.  John  IJradstreet,  having  left  with  3,000  soldiers,  the  two  Alhany 
companies  commanded  by  Capts.  Peter  Yates  and  Goosen  Van 
Schaick,  Fort  Frontenac,  at  the  eastern  end  of  Lake  Ontario, 
surrenders,  Aug.  27. 

George  Augustus  Scrope,  Lord  \'iscount  Howe  (born  in  Ireland, 
1724)  buried  in  St.  Peter's  Church  (according  to  veritable 
entr\'  in  the  "  Church  Book  ")  expense  of  burial  for  pall,  etc., 
5  pounds  6  shillings.  Sept,  5. 

New  Scotland  settled  by  Tennis  Slingerland  (9,879  acres). 

Birth  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler's  daughter  Margarita  (who  later 
marries  .Stephen  \'an  Rensselaer,  the  Patroon),  Sept.  19. 

Mrs.  Duncan  ]\IcVickar  leaves  Laggan,  Scotland,  to  bring  her 
daughter  Anne  to  join  Mr.  McVickar  in  America,  to  locate  at 
Albany  (the  daughter  later  becoming  Mrs.  Grant,  writing  of 
Mrs.  Philip  Schuyler  in  "  Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady," 
published  in  London  in  1808),  he  being  an  officer  in  the  British 
army  and  arriving  the  previous  year. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Johannis  van  Sante.  \'olckert 
P.  Douw,  L  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  Jacob  Ja.  Lansing,  IL  Abraham 
Douw,  Johannis  H.  Ten  Eyck.  IIL  Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn 
in,  Oct.  14. 


1759. 


City  raises  $5,000  by  lottery,  January. 

Lord  Amherst's  army  encamped  at  Albany,  Alay. 

French  forces  abandon  forts  at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point*  before 
the  advance  of  Lord  Amherst's  army,  and  he  takes  posses- 
sion, Ji-^iy- 

Montreal  falls  to  the  British  arms  and  General  Wolfe,  on  the  Plains 
of  Abraham,  overcomes  the  French  army  of  General  Montcalm 
at  Quebec,  thus  ensuring  British  dominion  from  Quebec  to 
New  York  city,  Sept.  13. 

T^ev.  Theodorus  Frielinghuysen  resigns  pastorate  of  the  Dutch 
Church  and  sails  for  Holland,  in  the  fall. 

Albany  society  (with  a  library),  organized. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Johannis  van  Sante,  Sybrant 
(G.)  \^an  Schaick,  Jun.,  L  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  Jacob  Lansing, 
Jun.,  H.  Abraham  Douw.  A'olckert  (P.)  Douw,  HL  Election, 
Sept.  29 ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


256  SYBRANT    GOZEN    VAN    SCHAICK.  No.  24. 

1760-1761. 


1760. 

Common  Council  agrees  to  issue  a  license  on  petition  of  Presby- 
terians for  establishment  of  a  church  at  Albany,  April  3. 

Lieut.-Gov.  James  cle  Lancey,  who  had  been  the  acting  Governor 
of  the  province  for  many  years,  found  expiring  in  his  library 
chair  at  his  home  in  Xew  York  city,  July  30. 

James  de  Lancey  is  buried  beneath  his  pew  in  the  middle  aisle  of 
Trinity  Church  at  an  imposing  ceremonial  at  night,        July  31. 

First  municipal  act  to  obtain  a  piped  water-supply,  Aug.  3. 

Following  the  death  on  the  30th  ult.  of  Lieut.-Gov.  James  de 
Lancey,  Cadwallader  Colden  (b.  Ireland,  Feb.  17,  1688),  being- 
senior  member  of  the  Council,  is  called  to  administer  the 
afifairs  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  Aug.  .].. 

Birthday  of  King  George  IL  celebrated  by  a  bonfire  towards  which 
the  city  contributes  wood  valued  at  $15,  Oct.  30. 

Rev.  Eilardus  Westerlo  succeeds  Rev.  T.  Frielinghuysen  as  pastor, 
in  the  fall  of  this  year. 

Rev.  Thomas  Brown,  deputy-chaplain  of  the  60th  Regiment  of 
Royal  Americans,  supplies  the  pulpit  of  Rev.  John  Ogilvie 
(a  graduate  of  Yale  and  who  was  made  rector  of  St.  Peter's 
Church  in  March,  1749)  while  the  latter  is  with  his  army, 
commencing  Dec.  21. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  John  Henry  Lydius,  Barent  H. 
Ten  Eyck,  L  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  Jacob  Lansing,  IL  Cornells 
Ten  Broeck,  Harmanus  A\'endell,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


1761. 


Schuyler  Mansion,  at  the  head  of  Schuyler  street,  the  scene  later 
of  visits  from  Washington,  Lafayette,  Baron  Steuben,  Count 
De  Rochambeau,  Benjamin  Franklin,  Aaron  Burr  and  other 
notables  (and  where  occurred  the  marriage  of  Alexander  Ham- 
ilton and  Elizabeth  Schuyler  on  Dec.  14,  1780,  as  well  as  that 
of  President  Fillmore),  built  by  Col.  John  Bradstreet  for  the 
wife  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  while  he  is  in  England. 

Fine  of  $50  for  allowing  slaves  to  beg. 

Volckert  Petrus  Douw  commissioned  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  by 
Lieut.-Gov.  Cadwallader  Colden. 

•         •         • 
(See  No.  25.) 


No.  25. 


Unlrki^rt  ^ttvuB  Sflum. 


Sept.  29,  1761  — Sept.  9,  1770. 


No.  25. 
\^OLCKERT  PETRUS  DOUW. 

Date  of  office:     September  29,  1761-September  9,  1770. 

Appointed  by:     Lieutenant-Governor  Cachvallader  Golden. 

Date  of  birth:     March  23,  1720. 

Place  of  birth:     "' Wolven-Hoeck,"  Greenbush   (Rensselaer). 

Parents:     Petrus  (  D. )  and  Anna  \an  Rensselaer. 

Education:     Good  schooling. 

Married  to:     (a)   Anna  De  Peyster  (dau.  of  i6th  Mayor). 
(b)    ]Marytje  Cadwees. 

Date:     (a)    Mav  20,  1742. 
(b)    1762. 

Children:  (9-3  s.  6  d.)  Anna  (b.  1743,  m.  Dirck  Ten  Broeck,  21st 
Mayor),  Ragel  (  b.  1744,  m.  Hendrick  J.  \^an  Rensselaer), 
Myndert  Schuyler  (b.  1746),  Magdalena  (b.  1748,  d.  y.), 
Magdalena  (b.  1750,  m.  John  Stephenson),  Catarienna  (b. 
175 1,  m.  Harmanus  Hoffman),  John  De  Peyster  (b.  1754. 
d.  y.),  Johannes  De  Peyster  (b.  1756,  m.  ist  Debora  Beeck- 
man,  2d  ^Margaret  Livingston,  3d  Gatherine  D.  Gansevoort). 
Maria  (b.  1760,  ni.  John  De  Peyster  Ten  Eyck). 

Residence:     "  Wolven-Hoeck,"  Greenbush. 

Occupation:     Public  offices.    Merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     March  20,  1801. 

Place  of  death:     Wolven-Hoeck. 

Place  of  burial:     Wolven-Hoeck ;  later  Albany  Rural  Gemetery. 

Title:     Gaptain. 

Remarks:  Alderman,  1749.  Recorder,  1750-60.  Gaptain  of 
militia,  1755  (Battle  of  Lunenburg).  Presiding  Judge 
Gourt  of  Gommon  Pleas,  October  2,  1757-May,  1775. 
Golonial  Assembly,  1759-66.  Indian  Gommissioner,  1774. 
Gommittee  of  Safety,  May  4.  1775.  Member  of  first  Provin- 
cial Gongress,  May  23,  1775  ;  Vice-President.  First  Judge 
of  Gounty  Gourt,  i778-!\Iarch  26,  1781.  Gommissarv-  of 
Northern  Army,  1779.     Senate,  1785-93. 


25.     VOLCKERT  PETRUS  DOUVV. 
1761-1770. 
From   a   wax   medallion   owned   in    1904   by   Mr.    J.   Townsend   Lansing  of 
Albany. 


No.  25.  VOLCKERT  PETRUS  DOUW.  259 

1761-1762. 

(Continued  from  No.  24.) 
1761. 


Volckert  Petrus  Douw  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  succeeding 
Sybrant  Gozen  \'an  Schaick,  having  been  commissioned  such 
by  Lieut. -Gov.  Cadwallader  Coklen. 

City  corporation  resolves  to  tax  making  of  freeman  or  the  permission 
to  do  business  as  a  merchant,  3  pounds,  12  shillings,  and  to  tax 
those  wishing;  to  manufacture  i  pound,  16  shillings,  of  which 
the  mayor  is  to  retain  12  shillings  and  the  clerk,  for  affixing 
seal  to  the  license,  i  shilling ;  but  those  born  in  Albany,  on 
attaining  21  years,  to  be  allowed  license  on  paying  2  shillings. 

Presbyterians  of  Albany  organizing  as  a  society  and  petition  for 
right  to  erect  a  church. 

Philip  Reyley  engaged  to  care  during  one  year  for  the  town  clock, 
for  6  pounds. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Barent  H.  Ten  Eyck,  Peter 
Lansing,  L  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  Frans  Pruyn,  IL  Cornells  Ten 
Broeck,  \'olckert  (P.)  Douw,  IIL  Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn 
in,  Oct.  14. 

Old  (or  first)  city  seal  (octagonal  and  bearing  letters  ALB.)  aban- 
doned by  Common  Council,  Oct.   16. 

Maj.-Gen.  Robert  Alonckton  begins  his  administration  as  governor 
of  the  Province  of  New  York,  Oct.  .26. 

Cadwallader  Coklen  administers  as  lieutenant-sfovernor,       Nov.  18. 


1762. 


North  bounds  of  city  marked  by  Patroon's  street  (Clinton  ave.). 

Common  Council  orders  a  new  fire-engine  of  the  fifth  size,  made  by 
Richard  Newsham,  of  London,  Eng.,  March  6. 

Presbyterian  society  given  permission  by  Lord  Amherst  to  use 
forage-house,  near  the  fort,  as  place  of  worship,  ]\Iarch  7. 

Common  Council  resolves  to  take  down  the  gallows  standing  on 
Gallows  hill  (south  of  th-=»  fort  and  west  of  South  Pearl  st.) 
and  the  land  being  divided  into  acre  lots,  sold  at  a  public  vendue 
for  a  term  of  21   years,  July  26. 

Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  (who  marries  Catherine,  eldest  daughter 
of  Gov.  Gieorge  Clinton)  born,  Aug.  29. 


26o  VOLCKERT  PETRUS  DOUW.  No.  25. 


1762-1763. 


City  grants  to  Presbyterian  society  for  purposes  of  erecting  a  church, 
a  lot  at  northwest  corner  of  Hudson  avenue  and  WilHam  street, 
by  Rynland  measure,  along  the  north  side  30  feet,  west  side 
192  feet,  east  side  132  feet,  south  side  148  feet,  being  in  the 
First  ward,  Sept.  2. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council:  Sybrant  (G.)  Van  Schaick, 
Jun.,  Peter  Lansingh,  I.  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  Hendrick  M.  Rose- 
boom.  II.  Cornelis  Ten  Broeck,  Volckert  (P.)  Douw,  III. 
Election,  Sept.  29 ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Maj.-Gen.  Robert  Monckton  administers  again  as  governor  of  the 
Province  of  New  York,  Jnne  14. 


1763. 


Common  Council  resolves  that  five  tickets  of  the  New  York  lottery 
be  purchased  for  the  benefit  of  the  city's  funds  and  that  Mayor 
Douw  take  them  to  New  York  to  present  on  the  day  of  drawing. 
He  does  so,  and  receiving  4  pounds  5  shillings  as  the  proceeds 
of  one  ticket  (the  other  four  proving  to  be  blanks)  he  pays  this 
sum  to  the  city  clerk,  Jan.  10. 

City  purchases  James  Nox,  a  bond-servant  of  William  Brefit  for  9 
pounds,  that  he  may  serve  as  the  public  whipper  for  remainder 
of  his  term  of  service,  February. 

Fire-engine,  to  be  operated  by  hand-pumping  (the  second  —  first 
in  1732)  purchased  by  Harmse  Gansevoort  in  England  at  cost 
of  $397.50,  and  arrives  at  Albany,  March. 

Common  Council  directs  that  the  sum  of  58  pounds  19  shillings  and 
6  pence  be  paid  for  the  new  fire-engine,  April. 

Thirty-one  firemen  in  the  city.  May. 

Cadwallader  Colden  a  3rd  time  succeeds  to  office  of  Lieut. -Governor, 
and  begins  administering  affairs  of  the  Province  of  New  York 
as  its  executive,  June  28. 

Birth  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler's  son,  John  Bradstreet  Schuyler, 
(named  after  his  intimate  friend)  on  whom  the  General  later 
bestows  his  Saratoga  (Schuylerville)  estate,  on  marriage 
(marrying  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Patroon  Stephen  Van  Rens- 
selaer in  1787),  July  12. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council:  Sybrant  (G.)  Van  Schaick, 
Jun.,  Peter  Lansingh,  I.  Johannis  Cuyler,  John  R.  Bleecker, 
TI.  Cornelis  Ten  Broeck,  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  III.  Election, 
Sept.  29;  sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


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No.  25.  VOLCKERT  PETRI'S  DOUW.  261 

1763-1764. 

Common  Council  buys  48  leather  fire-buckets  to  be  passed  from 
wells  at  time  of  fire,  each  one  of  the  six  aldermen  and  six  assist- 
ants to  keep   four  at  his  house   in   readiness   to   bring   forth, 

November. 

Dutch  Reformed  Church  established  at  Berne. 


1764. 


Mrs.  Anne  Grant  writes  her  "  Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady,"' 
meaning  Mrs.  Philip  Schuyler  (to  be  published  in  1808  at 
London)  bemg  located  at  Albany  several  years  although  of 
Laggan,  Scotland. 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  (second  of  the  name  and  the  7th  Patroon) 
marries  Catherine  Livingston,  daughter  of  Philip  Livingston  a 
Signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  (who  have  three 
children  born  to  them — Stephen,  b.  Nov.  i,  1764;  Philip 
Schuyler,  b.  April  15,  1766,  becoming  the  32nd  Mayor  uf 
Albany;  Elizabeth,  marrying  John  Bradstreet  Schuyler,  1787, 
the  son  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler),  January. 

Volckert  P.  Douw  buys  a  negro  woman,  Phoebe,  and  three  children, 

paying  Benjamin  Ashley,  on  the  Delaware,  $500  for  them. 

Gallows  Hill,  at  head  of  State  street,  11  acres,  sold  to  Capt.  Cort- 

landt  Schuyler  for  $1,000  and  quit  rent  of  50  shillings  yearly 

forever,  July  31, 

Rev.   Thomas   Brown  succeeds   Rev.  John   Ogilvie    (who  becomes 

rector  of  Trinity  Church  in  New  York  city)  as  the  rector  of  St. 

Peter's. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :     Peter  Lansingh,  Sybrant  ( G. ) 

Van  Schaick,  L     John  Cuyler,  John  R.  Bleecker,  IL     Abraham 

Yates,    Jun.,    Cornells    TenBroeck,    IIP     Election,    Sept.    29 ; 

sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Birth  of  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  third  of  the  name  and  son  of  the 

7th  Patroon  who  had  in  January  married  Catherine  Livingston, 

Nov.    T, 

Common  Council  declares  the  deed  to  Capt.  C.  Schuyler  for  Gallows 

Hill  null  and  void,  and  sells  the  property  to  Abraham  Wendell, 

Dec.  20. 


262  VOLCKERT  PETRUS  DOUW.  No.  25. 


1765. 


1765. 

Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House  (the  3rd  edifice  of  the  family  at 
Albany)  built  by  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  under  the  direction 
of  his  guardian,  Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Troy  Road  at  the  head  of  Broadway,  as  a  home  to  which  to 
bring  his  bride,  Catherine,  daughter  of  Philip  Livingston 
(Signer  of  the  Declaration),  and  to  be  in  keeping  with  the 
estates  of  a  Lord  of  the  Manor. 

Union  Lodge,  the  first  lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  con- 
stituted at  Albany,  organized  by  warrant  from  the  Provincial 
Grand  Master,  George  Harrison,  installing  Peter  W.  Yates  as 
its  worshipful  master,  paragraphs  from  its  by-laws  reading: 
"  Every  one  who  shall  be  made  a  Mason  in  this  Lodge  is  to  pay 
three  pounds  4s  for  the  Fund  and  one  Dollar  to  the  Tyler,  for 
which  he  shall  be  entitled  to  the  three  degrees  without  further 
expence.  *  *  *  The  Senior  warden  shall  every  lodge  night 
acquaint  the  master  when  it  is  ten  o'clock,  then  ye  lodge  is  to 
be  closed  imless  in  cases  of  extra  business,  and  on  lodge  even- 
ings no  member  under  a  fine  of  one  shilling  shall  have  more 
drink  than  for  six  pence  in  the  lodge-room  without  the  Masters 
consent,"  Feb.  27. 

Ordinances  passed  fining  owner  of  a  chimney  that  catches  afire  .40 
shillings ;  any  member  of  the  city  guard  discovering  a  fire 
entitled  to  a  reward  of  3  pounds ;  that  two  persons  in  each 
ward  be  appointed  to  view  chimneys,  hearths  and  ash-places ; 
that  each  house-holder  having  two  fire-places  own  two  buckets 
marked  with  initials,  and  that  anyone  retaining  the  bucket  of 
another  48  hours  after  a  fire  be  fined  10  shillings ;  furthermore, 
that  all  persons  place  3  candles  in  the  front  windows  during 
progress  of  a  fire,  riot,  or  other  night  alarm,  or  suffer  penalty 
of  3  shillings,  and  no  one  be  allowed  to  clean  any  chimney 
except  an  authorized  city-sweep,  Oct.  14. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council:  Peter  Lansingh,  Sybrant  (G. ) 
Van  Schaick,  L  John  R.  Bleecker,  Jacob  Lansing,  H.  Corne- 
lius TenBroeck,  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  HL  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Stamp  Act  passed  by  Parliament  in  1764,  requiring  notes,  deeds, 
bonds  and  all  business  documents  to  be  written  or  printed  on 
paper  stamped  by  the  British  government,  angers  the  people 
of  the  Province  of  Xew  York,  as  on  the  day  of  its  becoming 


CO 
■Si 


O    ^  -a 


y     5 


5   o 
-  -a 

0   i-J 


Xo.  25.  VOLCKERT  PETRUS  DOUW.  263 

1765-1767. 

operative  the  citizens  of  New  York  city  burn  an  efifigy  of 
Lieutenant-Governor  Golden,  the  administrator  of  the  Province 
of  New  York.  Nov.   i. 

Sir  Henry  Aloore  begins  liis  administration  of  the  Province  of  New 
York  as  governor,  Nov.  13. 

Sir  Wilham  Johnson,  by  letter,  warns  Lords  of  Trade  that  the 
"  Stamp  Act  "  has  created  anew  the  strong  desire  of  the 
colonists  for  a  democratic  system  of  government,  such  as  had 
been  proposed  at  the  Golonial  Gongress  at  Albany  in  1654.  and 
unless  this  spirit  be  checked  the  idea  of  liberty  and  independence 
would  gain  ground  beyond  control,  Nov.  22. 


1766. 


Gommon  Gouncil  determines  to  erect  three  stone  docks,  the  north 
one  80  feet  long  and  40  feet  broad ;  the  middle  one,  at  foot  of 
Maiden  Lane,  to  be  80  feet  long  and  30  feet  broad  ;  south  dock, 
about  off  the  Gity  Hall,  to  measure  same  as  the  middle  one, 

March  4. 

Followers  of  the  Swiss  reformer,  Ulric  Zwingli,  organize  a  society 
of  German  Reformed  church  and  are  granted  land  for  edifice  on 
the  Wouts  Burgh  (the  hill  north  of  the  fort).  Oct.  13. 

Gity  deeds  to  Samuel  Stringer  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  thereon 
a  lodge-building,  a  plat  of  ground  "  on  the  Hill  near  the  Fort 
adjoining  the  English  Burying  place  "  (north-west  corner  of 
Lodge  street  and  Maiden  Lane),  Oct.   18. 

Charter  election,  Gommon  Gouncil:  Peter  Lansing,  Henry  L  Bo- 
gert,  L  John  R.  Bleecker,  Jacob  J.  Lansing,  H.  Abraham 
Yates,  Jacob  V^n  Schaick,  HL     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


1767. 


Right  to  use  and  rent  the  city's  new  stone  docks  until  Jan.  i,  1768, 
sold  at  public  vendue  to  Gysbert  Marsells  and  John  Alen  for 
70  pounds,  March  28. 

General  refusal  to  purchase  English  goods  because  of  duties. 

Albany  families  number  148  on  the  Patroon's  map. 

Jack,  negro  of  James  Sterling,  indicted  for  murder. 


264  VOLCKERT  PETRUS  DOUW.  No.  25. 


1767-1768. 


Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Peter  Lansing,  Henry  I.  Bo- 
gert,  I.  Jacob  J.  Lansing-,  John  R.  Bleecker.  IL  Abraham 
Yates,  Jnn.,  Abraham  TenBroeck.  IIL  Election,  Sept.  29; 
SAvorn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Warrant  given  by  Henry  Andrew  Francken,  deputy  grand  inspector- 
general  of  all  the  superior  degrees  of  Masons  in  the  West  In- 
dies and  North  America,  constituting  "  William  Gamble, 
Francis  Joseph  von  Pfister,  Thomas  Swords,  Thomas  Lynott 
and  Richard  Cartwright  into  a  Regular  Lodge  of  Perfection, 
by  the  name  of  Ineffable,"  Dec.  20. 

Union  Lodge  makes  a  procession,  with  four  of  the  Ineffable  Lodge, 
through  the  main  streets,  Dec.  28. 


1768. 


Masters'  Lodge,  Number  2,  York  Rite,  organized,  with  William 
Gamble  as  its  first  Master ;  Samuel  Stringer  as  Senior  Warden, 
and  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  as  its  Junior  Warder,      March  5. 

Union  Lodge  does  not  accede  to  the  proposition  made  by  the  In- 
effable Body  to  construct  and  have  a  joint  right  in  a  lodge 
building  (the  latter  occupying  rooms  in  the  inn  of  Richard 
Cartwright,  to  whom  each  member  paid  one  shilling  on  lodge 
night,  the  society  providing  candles)  and  it  is  agreed  to  accept 
the  proposal  of  Peter  Sharp  to  construct  a  lodge-building  at  a 
cost  of  300  pounds.  Feb.  23. 

Samuel  Stringer  buys  of  Union  Lodge  the  lot  obtained  from  the 
city  in  1766.  74  feet  on  west  side  of  Lodge  street  and  79  feet 
along  north  side  of  Maiden  Lane,  for  4  English  pounds,  Feb.  27. 

City  conveys  to  Samuel  Stringer  6  feet  additional,  along  east  side 
of  the  plat,  which  measures  70  feet  along  its  north  side,  and 
work  on  building  is  begun,  April  t. 

Corner-stone  of  Masters  and  Ineffable  Lodge  laid,  May  12. 

Masters  and  Ineffable  (styled  L^nion  while  building)  Lodges'  edifice 
completed,  June  24. 

Charles  Newman  &  Sons  (woolen  merchants)  established  on  South 
Market  street  (Broadway)   by  Charles  Newman. 

St.  Peter's  church  granted  a  charter  by  Gov.  Henry  Moore,  July  13. 

Rev.  Thomas  Brown  removes  from  Albany  and  is  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Henry  Munro  as  rector  of  St.  Peter's  church. 


i\0.  25-  VOLCKERT  PETKUS  DOUW.  265 

1768-1770. 


Charter  eleclion.  Common  Council :  Peter  Lansin^•,  John  Rooreback, 
I.  Jacob  J.  Lansing.  John  R.  Bleecker.  II.  Abraham  Yates, 
Jun.,  Abraham  TenBroeck,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


1769. 


Professional  theatrical  performers  allowed  by  Governor  Moore  10 
come  to  Albany  to  play  during  one  month,  and  the  hospital  on 
Pine  street  (near  site  of  Lutheran  church)  having  been  fitted 
with  a  stage,  the  first  play,  *'  Venice  Preserved,"  is  given  by 
Lewis  Hallam,  Jr.,  John  Henry,  Mr.  Woods,  Miss  Cheer  and 
others,  July  .3 

Death  of  Gov.  Henry  Moore. 

Cadwallader  Golden  begins  his  administration  as  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of  the  Province  of  New  York,  Sept.  12. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council:  Peter  Lansingh,  John  Rore- 
back,  I.  John  R.  Bleecker,  Abraham  C.  Cuyler,  II.  Abraham 
Yates,  Jun.,  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  HI.  Election,  Sept.  29;. 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


1770. 


Gloucester  county  partitioned  from  Albany,  March  16. 

Abraham  Cornelis  Cuyler  commissioned  tlie  Mayor  of  Albany  by 
Lieut. -Gov.  Cadwallader  Golden. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  26.) 


No.  26. 


Ahraljam  (H^rn^lts  Olugbr. 


Sept.  lO,  1770  — April  16.  177S. 


No.  26. 
ABRAHAM  CORNELIS  CUYLER. 

Date  of  oificc:     September  10,  1770-April  16,  1778. 

Appointed  by:     Lieutenant-Governor  Cadwallader  Golden. 

Date  of  birth:     April  11,  1742. 

Parents:  Gornelis  (G. — 20th  Mayor)  and  Gatharina  Schuyler  (dau. 
of  loth  ]vIayor). 

Education:     Good  schooling". 

Married  to:     Jannetje  Glen. 

Date:     April  10,  1764. 

Children:  (5-3  s.  2  d. )  Gathalina  ( b.  1765),  Jacob  (b.  1766),  Elisa- 
beth (b.  1767),  Gornelis  (b.  1769),  Jacob  Glen  (b.  1773). 

Residence:  West  side  Xo.  Pearl  st.,  site  of  "  North  "  Dutch  Ghurch. 

Occupation:     Military. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     February  5.  1810. 

Place  of  death:     Yorkfield,  Ganada. 

Title:     Golonel. 

Remarks:  Golonel^ of  militia.  Zealous  in  his  dealings  and  of  integ- 
rity.   Last  Alayor  by  Royal  Gommission. 


CUYLER  MANSION— VLIE  HOUSE. 

This  house,  so  called  to  signify  '  House  by  the  Marsh,"  was  erected  by  Hendrick  Cuyler 
(Ml  the  Greenbush  shore,  about  1770  (some  records  place  it  50  years  earlier),  and  was  standing, 
south  01  Fort  Crailo,  in  good  preservation  in  1906. 


Xo.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORXELiS    CUVLliR.  269 


1770-1771. 


(Continued  from  No.  25.) 
1770. 


Col.  Abraham  Cornells  Cuyler  is  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany, 
succeeding  A^olckert  Petrus  Douw,  having  received  appoint- 
ment from  Lieut. -Gov.  Cadwallader  Golden,  Sept.  10. 

Survey  of  the  city  made  by  Robert  Yates. 

Four  docks  built  along  the  river. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Peter  Lansingh,  John  Roor- 
back, I.  Guysbert  G.  Marselis,  John  R.  Bleecker,  II.  Abraham 
Yates,  Jun.,  Abraham  TenBroeck,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

John  Murray,  Earl  of  Dunmore,  made  Governor  of  New  York 
Province,  Oct.   19. 

Sloop  Olive  Branch,  the  first  to  sail  from  here  for  the  West  Indies, 
sets  out,  Nov.  3. 

City  sells  all  remaining  land  (a  few  farms  having  been  released  1 
of  the  tract  bought  by  Hendrick  Van  Rensselaer,  six  miles 
square  along  Hoosac  river,  from  the  Schaghticoke  Indians,  for 
less  than  $1,000,  to  Johannes  Knickerbaker,  bargaining,  "  for 
which  the  said  Knickerbaker  is  to  find  the  said  corporation 
and  their  successors  with  Meat,  Drink,  and  Lodging  once  a 
year  at  his  house  at  Schactacook." 


1771. 


Public  lighting  of  the  streets  attempted  by  the  placing  of  twenty 
oil  lamps  at  various  points. 

Population  of  the  Colony  of  New  Y^ork  at  this  time  163,337. 

Population  of  Albany  county  (before  greatly  reduced  in  area  by 
forming  several  other  counties  from  it  at  later  dates)  38,829 
white,  3,877  black  and  a  total  of  42,706  at  this  time. 

William  Tryon  made  Governor  of  New  York  Province,  July  9. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Peter  Lansingh,  Peter  Silves- 
ter, I.  Guysbert  Marselis,  Robert  Yates,  II.  Abraham  Yates, 
Jun.,  John  Ten  Broeck,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworH  in. 

Oct.  14. 


270  AElt.\.HAM    CORXELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 

1771-1772. 


First  Albany  newspaper,  "  The  Gazette,"  published  by  Alexander 
and  James  Robertson,  one-fourth  the  size  of  the  newspaper 
sheet  of  a  century  later,  Nov. 

Milestones  placed  along  the  highway  to  Schenectady  as  far  as  the 
Half- Way  House,  beginning  at  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 
standing  in  the  middle  of  the  street,  a  little  to  the  west  of 
the  intersection  of  Yonkers  (State)  street  and  Market  street 
( Broadway) . 


1772. 


The  printers  of  the  "  Albany  Gazette  "  apologize  to  the  public  for  the 
non-appearance  of  the  publication  because  the  paper  was  not 
supplied  by  the  New  York  stage  with  any  regularity,  and  also 
because  the  paper  was  frozen  into  one  mass  by  the  heavy  fall 
of  snow,  Jan. 1 3. 

Tryon  and  Charlotte  counties  formed  from  lands  set  oflf  from  Al- 
bany county  as  a  means  to  expedite  public  business,  such  as 
attention  of  court  duties,  which  forced  the  inhabitants  to  come 
several  hundred  miles  to  Albany  when  attending  to  causes  or 
filing  documents,  Charlotte  county  being  established  between 
the  northern  boundary  of  Albany  county  and  Canada,  Tryon 
becoming  as  Montgomery  county,  March  12. 

"Albany  Gazette  "  starts  publication  of  meteorological  tables. 

Alanor  of  Rensselaerswyck  erected  into  a  district,  March  24. 

Col.  Philip  Schuyler  and  Gen.  John  Bradstreet  jointly  interested  in 
the  purchase,  with  Rutger  Bleecker  and  Gen.  John  IMorin  Scotr. 
of  a  tract  of  22,000  acres  in  the  Mohawk  valley,  known  as 
Cosby's  Manor  (the  city  of  Utica  later  built  within  it),  origi- 
nally granted  to  William  Cosby,  Provincial  Governor  of  New 
York,  by  royal  patent,  sold  by  the  sheriflf  to  the  four  in  Schuy- 
ler's name. 

General  Tryon,  Governor  of  the  Province,  visits  the  city,  and  the 
corporation  banquets  him  at  Cartwright's  Tavern,         July  20. 

A  book  store  established  at  the  "  Elm  Tree  Corner "  by  Stuart 
Wilson,  to  be  converted  later  into  the  Blue  Belle  Tavern,  north- 
west corner  of  Pearl  and  State  streets. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Gerrit  Van  Sante.  Peter  W. 
Yates,  I.  Guysbert  ]\Iarselis,  Robert  Yates.  Jun.,  II.  Abraham 
Yates,  Jun.,  John  Ten  Broeck,  III.  Election,  Sept.  29 ;  sworn 
in,  Oct.  14. 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUVLER.  2/1 


1773-1774. 


1773. 


Vlie  House,  "  The  House  by  the  Marsh,"  built  by  Hendrick  Cuyler 
on  the  east  bank  of  the  Hudson  river  half  a  mile  above  Douw's 
Point,  two  stories  and  an  attic  of  brick.  Colonial  architecture, 
its  fireplace  tiled  with  Ijiblical  scenes  of  Holland  production 
and  hug-e  oaken  beams  extending  across  the  main  hall  (later 
occupied  by  a  Van  Rensselaer  family). 

Charter  election,  Common  Council:  Peter  W.  Yates,  Gerrit  Van 
Sante,  I.  Guysbert  G.  Marselis,  Robert  Yates,  H.  John  Ten 
Broeck,  Thomas  Hun,  HI.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


1774. 


Mother  Ann  Lee  arrives  here  from  ^Manchester,  Eng.,  and  settling 
about  four  miles  to  the  west  of  the  city,  founds  the  Shakers. 

Cadwallader  Colden  again  made  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the 
Colony,  April  7. 

Sir  William  Johnson  (b.  at  Warrentown,  County  Down,  Ireland, 
1715),  frequently  a  conspicuous  figure  in  this  city  bearing  on 
transactions  with  the  Indians  in  the  warfare  against  the  French 
of  Canada,  dies  near  Johnstown,  N.  Y.,  July  4. 

First  Continental  Congress  held  at  Philadelphia  to  consider  griev- 
ances against  the  British  rule,  Sept.  5. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council:  Peter  W.  Yates,  Gerrit  van 
Sante,  I.  Robert  Yates,  Guysbert  G.  Marselis,  II.  John  Ten 
Broeck,  Thomas  Hun,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 

In  accordance  with  the  views  of  the  Continental  Congress  held  at 
Philadelphia  on  September  5th  where  the  discussion  was  of  the 
grievances  of  the  colonists  at  Great  Britain's  policy  of  impos- 
ing taxes  upon  them  without  their  consent,  the  freeholders  of 
Albany  assemble,  and  John  Barclay  having  been  made  chair- 
man, proceed  to  appoint  a  Committee  of  Superintendence  and 
Correspondence,  November. 

Although  by  Act  of  the  Assembly  of  Nov.  11,  1692,  it  was  ordained 
that  two  fairs  be  held  yearly  in  the  county  of  Albany,  one  in 
the  citv  of  Albany  and  one  at  Crawlier  in  Rensselaerswvck.  the 


2J2  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUVLER.  No.  26. 

1774-1775. 


records  do  not  show  that  any  had  been  held  until  the  Common 
Council's  order  that  the  High  Constable  appoint  two  constables 
to  attend  the  ferry  during  the  time  of  the  fair,  Nov.  7. 

Gen.  John  Bradstreet  (buried  in  Trinity  churchyard,  New  York 
city),  an  intimate  friend  of  Col.  Philip  Schuyler,  at  whose 
house  he  had  frequently  made  lengthy  visits  and  after  whom 
Schuyler  named  his  son  (Schuyler  also  named  as  his  executor), 
feeling  his  end  approaching  sends  for  Colonel  Schuyler  and  his 
daughter  ^Margarita,  who  arrive  in  time  and  he  breathes  his 
last  held  by  her  arms,  Sept.  25. 

Rev.  Thomas  Brown,  rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  having  moved 
from  this  cit}^  he  is  succeeded  by  Rev.  Henry  Munro. 


1775. 


In  the  House  of  the  Assembly  (previous  to  the  Colonial  Legislature) 
Col.  Philip  Schuyler  moves  declaratory  resolutions  that  the 
Act  IV  of  King  George  III.,  imposing  duties  for  raising  a 
revenue  in  America  and  depriving  His  Majesty's  subjects  in 
the  colonies  the  right  of  trial  by  jury  were  great  grievances, 
and  his  resolution  is  carried  by  a  vote  of  7  to  2  by  the  Q 
present  of  the  24  members,  many  being  kept  away  by  the  hard- 
ship of  attending  at  so  great  a  distance,  March  3. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  and  Correspondence  of  Albany  city  and 
county  meet  at  Richard  Cartwright's  Inn  and  select  Col.  Philip 
Schuyler,  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Col.  Abraham  Ten  Brbeck, 
Col.  Peter  R.  Livingston  and  Walter  Livingston  the  deputies 
to  represent  the  city  and  county  at  the  Provincial  Congress  to 
be  held  on  April  20th  at  New  York,  which  is  to  select  dele- 
gates for  the  next  Continental  Congress  to  be  held  in  May 
at  Philadelphia,  ]March  21. 

Battle  of  Lexington  fought  between  the  British  army  and  the 
American  colonists,  eleven  miles  northwest  of  Boston  in  Mid- 
dlesex county,  Massachusetts,  the  first  bloodshed  of  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution,  800  British  soldiers  under  Colonel  Smith  hav- 
ing left  Boston  the  previous  night  to  take  the  military  stores  of 
Concord,  the  advance  under  ]\Iajor  Pitcairn  confronted  at  Lex- 
ington Green  by  about  fifty  minute-men  under  Captain  Parker, 
and   this    force    dispersed    with    the    loss    of   eight   Americans 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUVLER.  273 


1775. 


killed,  the  British  proceeding  to  Concord  where  they  are  re- 
pulsed at  the  Concord  bridge  by  the  minute-men.  whereupon 
Colonel  Smith  orders  a  retreat,  and  a  running  fire  is  kept  up  to 
Charlestown,  the  American  forces  in  the  meantime  augmented 
constantly  as  they  pursue  the  British  along  the  highroad ;  the 
total  British  loss  of  the  engagements  amounting  to  273  and 
of  the  American  colonists  93,  history  recording  the  fighting 
at  Concord  as  the  Battle  of  Concord  and  of  the  entire  day's 
engagements  as  the  Battle  of  Lexington,  April  19. 

Col.  Philip  Schuyler  chosen  among  the  delegates  selected  to  rep- 
resent the  Province  of  New  York  in  the  Continental  Congress 
at  Philadelphia  in  the  following  May,  by  New  York's  Colonial 
Congress  held  at  New  York  city,  April  20. 

News  of  the  engagement  of  the  British  at  Lexington  on  April  19th 
reaches  Albany  and  stirs  the  entire  population  to  action  im- 
mediately, who  seem  to  comprehend  that  this  first  bloodshed 
against  the  mother  country  was  but  the  beginning  of  the  great 
struggle  for  liberty  that  had  been  a  cherished  idea  for  some 
years,  and  the  citizens  determine  at  once  that  they  must  act 
a  vigorous  part.  Accordingly  a  meeting  is  held  without  delay 
at  John  J.  Lansing's  Inn  by  the  sub-committee  of  Corre- 
spondence, with  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  acting  as  the  chairman, 
the  result  of  which  gathering  was  the  posting  of  a  notice 
about  the  city  reading  as  follows :  "  Whereas  the  various  ac- 
counts that  have  been  received  of  the  extraordinary  Commo- 
tions both  in  the  Province  of  Massachusetts  Bay  and  at  New 
York  made  it  indispensably  necessary  that  the  sense  of  the 
Citizens  should  be  taken  on  the  line  of  Conduct  they  propose 
to  hold  in  this  Critical  Juncture,  every  Person  therefore  is 
most  earnestly  intreated  to  attend  at  the  market-House  in  the 
third  Ward  (Broadway,  near  Maiden  Lane,  in  centre  of  the 
street)  at  four  o'clock  this  afternoon  to  give  his  Sentiments. 
It  is  expected  that  no  Person  whatever  able  to  attend  will  be 
absent.  Secondly.  Resolved  That  the  Chairman  (Abraham 
Yates,  Jun.,)  sign  the  several  Papers  relative  to  this  Day's 
Transaction.  Thirdly.  Resolved  That  the  following  Proposals 
be  read  to  the  Citizens  at  their  intended  meeting  this  after- 
noon :  Are  you  willing  to  co-operate  with  our  Brethren  in  New 
York  and  the  several  Colonies  on  the  Continent  in  their  oppo- 
sition to  the  Ministerial  Plan  now  prosecuting  against  us^ 
Are  you  willing  to  appoint  Persons  to  be  Conjointly  with  others 
to  be  appointed  by  the  Several  Districts  in  this  County  a  Com- 
mittee  of   Safety,    Protection,   and    Correspondence,    with    full 


274  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 

1775. 


Power  to  Transact  all  such  matters  as  they  shall  conceive  may 
tend  to  the  weal  of  the  American  Cause?  If  yea,  who  are  the 
Persons  you  chuse  to  appoint?"  Alay  i. 

Following  the  meeting  held  at  the  ]Market-House,  Lucas  Cassidy  is 
despatched  to  beat  a  drum  through  the  streets,  and  John  Os- 
trander  to  ring  loudly  a  bell,  summoning  the  inhabitants  to  the 
]\Iarket-House  on  Xo.  ^Market  street.  The  people  coming  there 
prove  enthusiastic  in  the  cause,  and  with  one  accord  reply 
affirmatively  to  the  appeal,  whereupon  a  Committee  of  Safety, 
Protection  and  Correspondence  is  formed  of  Jacob  Coenraedt 
Ten  Eyck,  Henry  I.  Bogart,  Peter  Silvester,  Henry  Wendell, 
Volckert  Pietrus  Douw,  John  Bay,  and  Gysbert  Marselis,  of  the 
1st  Ward;  John  R.  Bleecker,  Jacob  Lansing,  Jun.,  Jacob  Cuyler, 
Henry  Bleecker,  Robert  Yates,  Stephen  De  Lancey  and  Abra- 
ham Cuyler,  in  the  2nd  Ward ;  John  H.  Ten  Eyck,  Abraham 
Ten  Broeck,  Gerrit  Lansingh,  Jun.,  Anthony  E.  Bratt,  Samuel 
Stringer,  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  and  Cornells  Van  Santvoordt, 
in  the  3rd  Ward,  ]\Iay  i. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  having  been  legally  formed,  it  writes  to 
the  Boston  Committee,  at  the  present  seat  of  war.  as  follows : 
"  Gentlemen  —  While  we  lament  the  mournful  event  which  has 
caused  the  Blood  of  our  Bretheren  in  the  Massachusetts  Bay  to 
flow,  we  feel  that  satisfaction  which  every  honest  American 
must  experience  at  the  glorious  stand  you  have  made,  we  have 
an  additional  satisfaction  from  the  consequences  which  we  trust 
will  [result]  in  uniting  every  American  in  Sentiments  and  Bonds 
which  we  hope  will  be  indissoluble  to  our  Enemies.  This  after- 
noon the  Inhabitants  of  this  City  convened  and  unanimously 
renewed  their  former  agreement  that  they  would  co-operate 
with  our  Brethren  in  New  York  and  in  the  several  Colonies 
on  the  Continent  in  their  opposition  to  the  Alinisterial  Plan 
now  prosecuting  against  us,  and  also  unanimously  appointed  a 
Committee  of  Safety,  Protection,  and  Correspondence,  with  full 
power  to  transact  all  such  matters  as  they  shall  conceive  may 
tend  to  promote  the  weal  of  the  American  Cause.  We  have 
the  fullest  Confidence  that  ever\-  District  in  this  extensive 
County  will  follow  our  Example.  On  the  twenty-second  In- 
stant a  Provincial  Congress  will  meet  when  we  have  not  the 
least  doubt  but  such  efifectual  aids  will  be  afforded  you,  as  will 
teach  Tyrants  and  their  Minions  that  as  we  were  born  free, 
we  will  live  and  die  so,  and  transmit  that  inestimable  Blessing 
to  Posterity.  Be  assured  Gentlemen  that  nothing  on  our  Parts 
shall  be  wanting  to  evince  that  we  are  deeply  impressed  with  a 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM     CORNELIS    CUVLER.  275 


1775. 


sense  of  the  necessity  of  Unanimity,  and  that  we  mean  to  Co- 
operate with  you  in  tliis  arduous  struggle  for  Liberty  to  the 
utmost  of  our  Power."  Alay  i. 

The  patriots  of  Albany  assemble  and  organize  companies  only  three 
days  after  the  announcement  of  the  first  hostilities  of  the 
Revolution,  constituted  of  i  captain,  2  lieutenants,  I  ensign", 
4  sergeants,  4  corporals,  i  drummer  and  51  privates,  a  total  of 
64  in  each  company.  The  formation  as  follows :  First  Ward, 
3  companies;  ist  Company,  Capt.  John  Barclay,  Lieuts.  John 
Price  and  Stephen  \'an  Schaick,  Ensign  x\braham  I.  Yates : 
2nd  Company,  Capt.  John  Williams,  Lieuts.  Henry  Staats  and 
Barent  Van  Alen,  Ensign  Henry  Hogen ;  3rd  Company,  Capt. 
Thomas  Bassett,  Lieuts.  Abraham  Eights  and  Mattheus  Viss- 
cher,  Ensign  John  Hooghkerk.  Third  Ward,  ist  Company, 
Capt.  John  Beeckman,  Lieuts.  Isaac  De  Freest  and  Abraham 
Ten  Eyck,  Ensign  Cornells  Wendell ;  2nd  Company.  Capt. 
Harmanus  Wendell,  Lieuts.  William  Hun  and  Peter  Ganse- 
voort,  Jr.,  Ensign  Teunis  T.  Van  Vechten,  May  4. 

Volckert  P.  Douw  chosen  a  delegate  to  meet  in  General  Congress  on 
the  22nd  at  New  York  city.  May  5. 

British  surrender  their  fort  at  Ticonderoga  to  Col.  Ethan  Allen  with 
his  150  undisciplined  troops  styled  the  "  Green  Mountain  Boys," 
he  being  from  henceforth  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution 
(b.  Litchfield,  Conn.,  Jan.  10,  1738;  d.  Burlington,  Vt.,  Feb.  13, 
1789),  and  this  unexpected  joyous  news  gives  an  impetus  to 
the  fighters  for  liberty,  May  10. 

Two  companies  of  volunteers  are  despatched  at  once  to  the  fort  at 
Ticonderoga  in  order  to  retain  possession  of  the  large  number 
of  cannon  and  other  military  stores  taken  bv  Col.  Ethan  Allen, 

ALay. 

Volckert  Pietrus  Douw,  the  next  previous  Mayor  of  Albany,  elected 
Vice-President  of  the  Provincial  Congress  by  70  present  of  the 
80  delegates,  convened  at  New  York  city,  May  z^,. 

The  following  compact  being  universally  signed  by  the  citizens  ol 
Albany :  "  A  General  Association  agreed  to  and  subscribed  by 
the  Members  of  the  Several  Committees  of  the  City  and  County 
of  Albany. —  Persuaded  that  the  Salvation  of  the  Rights  and 
Liberties  of  America  depends  under  God  on  the  firm  Union  of 
its  Inhabitants  in  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  Measures  neces- 
sary for  its  Safety ;  and  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  preventing 
Anarchy  and  Confusion  which  attend  a  Dissolution  of  the 
Powers   of  Government,   We,   the   Freemen,   Freeholders,   and 


276  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1775. 


Inhabitants  of  the  City  and  County  of  Albany,  being  greatly 
alarmed  at  the  avowed  Design  of  the  Ministry  to  raise  a  Rev- 
enue in  America;  and  shocked  by  the  bloody  scene  now  acting 
in  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  Do  in  the  most  Solemn  Manner 
resolve  never  to  become  Slaves ;  and  do  associate  under  all  the 
Ties  of  Religion,  Honor  and  Love  to  our  Country,  to  adopt 
and  endeavour  to  carry  into  Execution  whatever  Measures  may 
be  recommended  by  the  Continental  Congress,  or  resolved  upon 
by  our  Provincial  Convention  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  our 
Constitution,  and  opposing  the  Execution  of  the  several  arbi- 
trary and  oppressive  Acts  of  the  British  Parliament  until  a 
Reconciliation  between  Great  Britain  and  America  on  Consti- 
tutional Principles  (which  we  most  ardently  desire)  can  be 
obtained :  And  that  we  will  in  all  things  follow  the  Advice  of 
our  General  Committee  respecting  the  purposes  aforesaid,  the 
preservation  of  Peace  and  good  order  and  the  safety  of  Indi- 
viduals and  Private  Property,"  May  25. 

The  Provincial  Congress,  in  session  at  New  York,  unanimously 
resolves  to  recommend  Col.  Philip  Schuyler  to  the  Continental 
Congress  as  "  the  most  proper  person  "  in  the  Colony  of  New 
York  to  be  appointed  a  major-general,  June  7. 

Col.  Philip  Schuyler  and  Gen.  George  Washington  appointed  a  com- 
mittee of  the  Constitutional  Congress  to  prepare  rules  and  regu- 
lations for  the  government  of  the  army,  June  14. 

Gen.  George  Washington  appointed  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
Continental  forces,  by  the  Continental  Congress,  June  15. 

The  Continental  Congress  appoints  Col.  Philip  Schuyler  of  Albany 
the  third  major-general  of  the  United  Colonies,  June  19. 

Ma j, -Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  arrives  at  New  York  city  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  Army  of  the  Northern  Department,  June  25. 

William  Tryon  arrives  at  New  York  city,  having  been  sent  over  by 
the  British  government  to  be  the  Governor  of  the  Province  of 
New  York,  and  receives  the  Great  Seal ;  but  forthwith  writes 
to  the  home  government  that  troublous  times  are  ahead  and  he 
perceives  a  decided  coolness,  as  well  as  noting  that  no  one  may 
move  about  without  a  pass,  June  25. 

William  Tryon  made  the  Governor  of  the  Province,  June  28. 

Negroes  made  subject  to  military  duty  by  Congressional  Act. 

General  Washington  arrives  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  and  takes  com- 
mand of  the  Continental  army,  July  2. 

Gov.  William  Tryon  writes  to  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth  in  England 
that  he  believes  the  inhabitants  of  New  York  city  are  satisfied 
with  him  to  a  certain  extent,  and  explains  the  delicacy  of  his 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUVLEK.  277 


1775. 


position  as  follows :  "  The  general  revolt  that  has  taken  place 
in  the  Colonies  has  put  his  Majesty's  civil  Governors  in  the 
most  degraded  situation,  (being)  left  in  the  exercise  of  such 
feeble  executive  Powers  as  suit  the  present  conveniences  of  the 
Country,  and  this  dependant  on  the  caprice  of  a  moment.  To 
attempt  coercive  measures  by  the  civil  aid  would  hold  up  (the) 
Government  to  additional  contempt  by  the  exposure  of  the 
.  weakness  of  the  executive  and  civil  Branches.  *  *  *  The 
communications  through  the  Province,  and,  I  understand, 
through  the  Continent  are  stopt.  Every  traveller  must  have  a 
Pass  from  some  Committee  or  some  Congress,"  July  4. 

The  Continental  Congress  appoints  as  a  committee  to  treat  with  the 
Indians  of  the  Six  Nations,  either  to  win  them  to  the  cause  of 
the  American  colonists  or  to  hold  them  neutral,  Maj.-Gen. 
Philip  Schuyler,  Alaj.  Joseph  Hawley.  Talbot  Francis,  Oliver 
Wolcott  and  Volckert  P.  Douw,  July  13. 

The  committee  appointed  in  July  by  the  Continental  Congress  in- 
vites the  Indian  sachems  to  come  to  Albany  for  consultation, 
and  a  series  of  conferences  is  held  in  the  Dutch  Church  at  the 
foot  of  Yonkers  (State)   street,  Aug.  15 

At  one  of  the  conferences  with  the  sachems  a  member  of  the  Indian 
Commission  for  the  Northern  Department  of  the  United  Colo- 
nies addresses  them  in  the  Dutch  Church  in  the  following  words 
(as  narrated  in  Documentary  Colonial  History  of  New  York, 
Vol.  viii,  pp.  616-619)  :  "  Brothers,  sachems  and  warriors  of 
the  six  united  nations,  we,  the  delegates  from  the  twelve  united 
provinces  now  sitting  in  general  congress  at  Philadelphia,  send 
this  speech  to  you,  our  brothers.  We  are  sixty-five  in  number 
and  have  been  appointed  by  the  people  throughout  all  these 
provinces  and  colonies  to  meet  and  set  together  in  one  great 
council  to  consult  together  for  the  common  good  of  this  land, 
and  to  speak  and  act  for  them.  *  =1=  *  \Ye  -^yill  now  tell 
you  of  the  quarrel  between  the  counselors  of  King  George  and 
the  inhabitants  and  colonies  of  America.  Many  of  his  coun- 
selors are  proud  and  wicked  men.  They  persuaded  the  king 
to  break  the  covenant  chain  and  not  to  send  us  any  more  good 
speeches.  *  *  *  They  tell  us  now  that  they  will  slip  their 
hands  into  our  pockets,  without  asking,  as  if  they  were  their 
own  pockets,  and  will  take  at  their  pleasure  from  us  our  chart- 
ers, *  *  *  our  plantations,  our  houses  and  goods,  when- 
ever they  please,  without  asking  our  permission.  *  *  *  We 
desire  that  you  will  hear  and  receive  what  we  have  alreadv  told 


278  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUVLER.  No.  26. 


1775. 


you,  and  that  you  will  now  open  a  good  ear  and  listen  to  what 
we  shall  further  say  to  you.  This  is  a  family  quarrel  between 
us  and  Old  England.  You  Indians  are  not  concerned  in  it. 
We  do  not  want  you  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  the  king's 
troops.  We  desire  that  you  remain  at  home  and  join  neither 
party,  but  keep  the  hatchet  deeply  buried.  *  *  *  We  are 
now  twelve  colonies  united  as  one  hand.  Brothers,  this  is  our 
union  belt.  By  this  belt  we,  the  twelve  united  colonies,  renew 
the  old  covenant  chain  by  which  our  forefathers  in  their  great 
wisdom  thought  proper  to  bind  us  and  you  our  brothers  of  the 
six  nations  together  when  they  first  landed  at  this  place.  If 
any  of  the  links  of  this  great  chain  should  have  received  an)' 
rust,  we  now  brighten  it,  and  make  it  shine  like  silver."  August. 

Men  straggling  into  the  city  from  all  over  to  form  the  Army  of  the 
North  under  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler ;  but  poorly  prepared  to  con- 
stitute a  fighting  army,  Aug.  20. 

Lieut. -Col.  Philip  Van  Cortlandt  arrives  at  Albany,  Aug.  26. 

Lieut. -Col.  Philip  Van  Cortlandt  of  the  4th  N.  Y.  Regiment, 
Dutchess  Co.,  describes  graphically  in  a  letter  written  from 
Albany  the  miserable  outfits  of  the  soldiers  quartered  here, 
as  follows:  "Dear  Sir: — Agreeable  to  verbal  orders  received 
from  Col  [James]  Holmes  [of  the  Fourth  Reg't],  when  last 
in  New  York,  I  made  all  the  dispatch  in  my  power  to  this 
place,  where  I  arrived  the  26th  inst.,  finding  Capt.  Henry  B. 
Livingston  with  his  compan}'  in  a  small  house  in  town.  He 
wants  many  things  —  such  as  shoes,  stockings,  shirts,  under 
cloths,  haversacks  and  cash,  having  advanced  all  himself  that 
has  been  paid  his  men  as  yet.  The  day  I  arrived  came  up  the 
following  captains  with  their  companies :  Capt.  Herrick,  Capt. 
Palmer,  Capt.  Horton  and  Capt.  Alills  —  all  without  blankets, 
except  Capt.  David  Palmer  —  manv  of  the  men  wanting  shirts, 
shoes  stockings,  under  cloths,  and  in  short  without  any  thing 
fit  for  a  soldier,  except  a  uniform  coat,  and  not  more  than  thirty 
guns  with  four  companies  fit  for  service.  They  are  now  on 
board  of  the  small  boats  that  brought  them  up,  having  no 
place  for  them  to  go  into,  as  there  is  not  one  tent  that  I  can  find 
for  our  battalion;  and  three  companies  without  blankets,  and 
none  to  be  had  at  this  place.  I  do  not  know  how  to  act,  or 
what  to  do  with  them.  They  began  to  ask  for  cash  and  better 
lodgings,  being  much  crowded  in  the  small  boats  in  which  I 
am  obliged  to  keep  them.  I  this  morning  made  application  to 
the  committee  of  Albany,  who  will  do  all  in  their  power  for  me, 


No.  26.  ABRAllA-M    CURXELIS    CUVLER.  27O 


1775. 


which  I  beheve,  is  but  very  httle.  I  shall  be  much  obliged  to 
the  Honourable  Conoress  to  send  me  with  all  convenient  speed, 
arms,  blankets,  tents,  shoes,  stockings,  haversacks,  and  cash  by 
all  means.  I  want  to  be  going  forward,  where,  by  what  I  can 
learn,  we  shall  be  wanting  if  we  can  go  soon,  or  not  at  all. 
The  men  say,  '  give  us  guns,  blankets,  tents,  &c.,  and  we'll  fig'-t 
the  devil  himself,  but  do  not  keep  us  here  in  market-boats,  as 
though  we  were  a  parcel  of  sheep  or  calves.'  In  short  nothing 
can  give  me  more  pleasure  than  the  arrival  of  the  aforesaid 
articles."  Aug.  28. 

rhe  chairman  of  the  Albany  committee  encloses  the  letter  of  Lieut. - 
Col.  P.  Van  Cortlandt  in  one  of  his  to  Peter  Van  Brugh  Liv- 
ingston, President  of  the  Provincial  Congress  sitting  in  New 
York,  writing  as  follows :  "  We  expected  when  the  army  was 
once  organized,  we  should  not  be  so  frequently  called  upon 
about  matters  not  in  our  province.  But  the  situation  of  Col. 
Van  Cortlandt,  and  the  men  under  his  command,  in  a  meas- 
ure obliges  us  to  give  him  all  the  assistance  in  our  power  — 
not,  however,  that  it  is  to  be  made  a  precedent  of.  The  en- 
closed letter  from  Col.  Van  Cortlandt  will  show  you  the  posture 
he  is  in,  and  the  necessity  of  a  speedy  relief."  Aug.  29. 

Col.  (joose  Van  Schaick,  in  command  of  the  2nd  N.  Y.  Regiment 
(Albany  county  militia)  writes  to  the  Provincial  Congress  that 
General  Schuyler  has  stationed  him  at  Albany  in  order  to  for- 
ward troops  that  arrive  to  Ticonderoga,  and  after  describing 
how  blankets  and  other  essentials  had  to  be  furnished  to  Col. 
James  Clinton's  3rd  N.  Y.  Regiment,  adds :  "  I  should  ever 
accuse  myself  of  inhumanity  and  want  of  love  to  my  country, 
should  I  be  backward  in  giving  you  a  true  account  of  the  situa- 
tion and  distress  of  these  companies,  when  I  consider  how  much 
they  are  wanted  at  the  forts  above.  I  therefore  look  up  to  you. 
and  beg  that  you  will,  without  delay,  send  up  such  or  so  many 
arms,  tents,  blankets  and  other  necessaries,  as  will  supply  those 
companies  so  that  they  may  be  forwarded  with  the  greatest 
dispatch.  *  *  ■•'  I  am  very  happy,  however,  to  inform  you 
that  notwithstanding  the  clamours  and  discontents  of  my  men 
at  first,  there  are  at  present  nine  of  my  companies  up  at  Ticon- 
deroga, with  the  other  two  field  officers  (Lieut. -Col.  Peter  Yates 
and  Major  Peter  Ganesvoort,  Jun. )  in  actual  service,  and  the 
last  will  march  to-morrow."  Aug.  29. 

The  hospital  and  barracks  up  to  this  time  filled  with  the  Indians 
attending  the  conferences,  the  barns  about  the  town  too  loaded 
with  crops  to  accommodate  any  men,  and  the  city  crowded  with 
a  numerous  concourse  of  strange  people,  but  now  the  Indians 


28o  ABRAHAM    CORXELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1775. 


return  to  their  castles  bearing  presents  in  order  to  maintain 
friendly  relations  between  the  tribes  and  the  colonists,  Aug.  30. 

Gen.  Kichard  Montgomery  proceeds  from  Albany  on  his  invasion 
of  Canada,  his  main  object  being  the  capture  of  Montreal, 

August. 

Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  receives  orders  to  invade  Canada  with  the 
Army  of  the  Northern  Department,  September. 

An  epidemic  of  disease  among  the  Indians  gives  opportunity  to  the 
British  to  lead  them  to  believe  that  the  Great  Spirit  was  scourg- 
ing them  for  not  taking  part  with  King  George,  as  they  had 
been  taught  to  "  fear  God  and  honor  the  King;"  this  deceptive 
suggestion  actually  causing  a  deflection  to  the  British  among 
.   some  tribes,  Sept.  3. 

General  Schuyler  ill,  embarks  on  a  boat  upon  which  he  had  im- 
provised a  bed,  and  has  himself  taken  to  Isle  aux  Noix,  12 
miles  south  of  St.  John's,  where,  in  a  weak  condition,  he  joins 
Gen.  Richard  Montgomery's  expedition,  Sept.  5. 

General  Montgomery  writes  to  his  wife  (Janet,  the  eldest  child  of 
Chancellor  Robert  R.  Livingston,  of  Clermont)  at  their  Rhine- 
beck  farm :  "  Poor  Schuyler  is  in  so  miserable  a  state  of  health 
as  to  make  him  an  object  of  compassion,"  September. 

General  Montgomery  places  St.  John's,  the  fort  protecting  Montreal 
from  invasion  from  the  south,  in  a  state  of  siege,  Sept.  14. 

General  Schuyler  leaves  General  Montgomery  and  returns  south- 
ward to  the  fort  at  Ticonderoga,  Sept.   18. 

General  Schuyler  writes  to  General  Washington :  "  I  find  myself 
much  better,  as  the  fever  has  left  me,  and  hope  soon  to  return 
where  I  ought  and  wish  to  be,  unless  a  barbarous  relapse  should 
dash  the  cup  of  hope  from  my  lips,"  Sept.  20. 

Despite  his  malarial  illness,  caused  by  unhealthy  living  in  the  forests 
without  blankets  or  shelter  at  a  rainy  season.  General  Schuyler 
busily  engages  in  collecting  and  forwarding  supplies  to  the 
army  marching  under  ^Montgomery  to  capture  Montreal, 

Sept.  22. 

General  Schuyler  writes  to  the  Continental  Congress :  "  The  vexa- 
tion of  spirit  under  which  I  labor  that  a  barborous  complication 
of  disorders  should  prevent  me  from  reaping  those  laurels  for 
which  I  have  so  unweariedly  wrought,  since  I  was  honored 
with  this  command,  the  anxiety  of  mind  I  have  suffered  since 
my  arrival  here  lest  the  army  should  starve,  occasioned  by  a 
scandalous  want  of  subordination  and  inattention  to  my  orders. 
in  some  of  the  officers  that  I  left  to  command  at  the  different 
posts ;  the  vast  variety  of  disagreeable  and  vexatious  incidents 
that  almost  every  hour  arise  in  some  department  or  other,  not 


Xo.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUVLER,  281 


1775. 


only  retard  my  cure,  but  have  put  me  considerably  back  for 
some  days  past.  If  Job  had  been  a  general  in  my  situation  his 
memory  had  not  been  so  famous  for  patience.  But  the  glorious 
end  which  we  have  in  view,  and  which  I  have  a  confident  hope 
will  be  attained,  will  atone  for  all."  Sept.  25. 

General  Montgomery  writes  to  his  wife :  "  General  Schuyler's  return 
to  Ticonderoga  has  been  a  most  fortunate  affair.  We  should 
most  certainly  have  been  obliged  to  return  half  starved,  and  to 
leave  the  unfortunate  Canadians  to  take  care  of  themselves." 

September. 

General  Montgomery  writes  to  General  Schuyler :  "  Your  residence 
at  Ticonderoga  has  probably  enabled  us  to  keep  our  ground. 
How  much  do  the  public  owe  you  for  your  attention  and 
activity."  September. 

General  Schuyler  writes  to  the  Provincial  Congress :  "  My  disorders 
have  taken  such  deep  root,  that  I  now  begin  to  have  little  hope 
of  recovery  so  as  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  future  operations 
of  the  campaign.  I  hope,  however,  that  I  shall  not  be  obliged 
to  leave  this  place,  unhealthy  and  unfavorable  to  my  recovery 
as  it  is,  lest  it  should  involve  General  Montgomery  in  irremedi- 
able inconveniences."  October. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council:  Peter  W.  Yates,  Gerrit  Van 
Sante,  I.  Guysbert  G.  Marselis,  John  Jacob  Beeckman,  II. 
Thomas  Hun,  John  TenBroeck,  III.  This  board  suspended 
action,  during  war,  until  new  board  was  elected  (on  April  17, 
1778;  from  April  18,  1776).  October. 

General  Montgomery,  in  a  discouraged  spirit,  writes  repeatedly  dur- 
ing the  month  to  General  Schuyler  about  the  insubordination 
of  his  troops,  and  finally :  "  I  am  exceedingly  well  pleased  to 
see  General  Wooster  here,  both  for  the  advantage  of  his  service 
and  upon  my  own  account.  For  I  must  earnestly  request  to  be 
suffered  to  retire,  should  matters  stand  on  such  a  footing  this 
winter  as  to  permit  me  to  go  off  with  honor.  T  have  not  talents 
nor  temper  for  such  a  command.  *  *  *  I  will  bear  it  for  a 
short  time,  but  I  cannot  stand  it  long."  Oct.  31. 

General  Schuyler  informs  the  Congress  of  General  ]\Iontgomery"s 
intentions  to  resign  should  he  be  able  to  do  so  with  honor, 
because  of  insubordination  of  officers,  and  adds :  "  My  senti- 
ments exactly  coincide  with  his.  I  shall,  with  him,  do  every- 
thing in  my  power  to  put  a  finishing  stroke  to  the  campaign. 
This  done,  I  must  beg  leave  to  retire."  November. 

St.  John's,  the  fort  protecting  Montreal  to  the  south,  surrenders  to 
General  Montgomery  after  a  siege  of  50  days,  Nov.  3. 


282  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 

1775. 

Numbers  of  General  Montgomery's  soldiers,  disliking  a  winter 
campaign,  the  sleeping  without  tents  amid  snow  in  the  forests 
among  wild  beasts,  refuse  to  go  further,  giving  as  excuse 
homesickness,  their  health  and  expiration  of  enlistment,  the 
latter  being  a  very  common  plea  because  of  the  uncertainty 
among  an  army  of  its  poor  construction  to  determine  when 
enlistments  had  been  made  and  for  what  term,  and  some  he 
discharges  as  evil  influences  and  being  mutinous ;  but  by 
promising  to  discharge  them  at  Montreal  he  holds  most  of  his 
army  together,  Nov.    5. 

General  Schuyler,  at  Ticonderoga,  experiences  difficulty  in  forward- 
ing troops,  writing  from  there :  "  About  three  hundred  of  the 
troops  raised  in  Connecticut  passed  here  within  a  few  days. 
An  unhappy  homesickness  prevails.  These  all  came  down  as 
mvalids,  not  one  willing  to  re-engage  for  the  winter's  service ; 
and  unable  to  get  any  work  done  by  them,  I  discharged  them 
en  groupe.  Of  all  the  specifics  ever  invented  for  any  there  is 
none  so  efficacious  as  a  discharge  for  this  prevailing  disorder. 
No  sooner  was  it  administered  but  it  perfected  the  cure  of  nine 
out  of  ten ;  who,  refusing  to  wait  for  boats  to  go  by  way  of 
Lake  George,  slung  their  heavy  packs,  crossed  the  lake  at  this 
place,  and  undertook  a  march  of  two  hundred  miles  with  the 
greatest  good  will  and  alacrity."  November. 

Montreal  falls  to  Gen.  Richard  jMontgomery,  who  had  been  prose- 
cuting the  invasion  of  Canada  with  Schuyler  since  August, 

Nov.  12. 

General  Schuyler  writes  his  last  letter  to  General  Montgomery  be- 
fore that  officer's  death :  "  Adieu,  my  dear  sir ;  may  I  have  the 
pleasure  soon  to  announce  another  of  your  victories,  and  after- 
wards that  of  embracing  you."  November. 

General  Montgomery  writes  to  General  Schuyler :  "  An  afifair  hap- 
pened here  yesterday  which  had  very  near  sent  me  home.  A 
number  of  officers  presumed  to  remonstrate  against  the  in- 
dulgence I  had  given  some  of  the  officers  of  the  King's  troops. 
Such  an  insult  I  could  not  bear,  and  immediately  resigned. 
However,  they  have  to-day  qualified  it  by  such  an  apology  as 
puts  it  in  my  power  to  resume  command  with  some  propriety, 
and  I  have  promised  to  bury  it  in  oblivion."  Nov.  24. 

Generals  Montgomery  and  Arnold  resolve  to  storm  the  works  of 
Quebec  from  opposite  sides  of  the  town  at  night,  as  General 
Carleton  would  not  come  out  to  fight,  Dec.  30. 

At  2  o'clock  in  the  morning,  amidst  a  driving  snowstorm,  Mont- 
gomery and  Arnold   storm  Quebec,   during  which   severe  en- 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORXELIS    CUYLER.  283 


1775-1776. 


gagement  Arnold  wounded  and  Montgomery's  body  found  at 
daybreak,  pierced  by  three  bullets,  between  the  corpses  of  his 
aides,  MacPherson  and  Cheeseman,  nearly  hidden  in  the  snow, 
and  General  Carleton^  who  had  been  Montgomery's  fellow- 
officer  in  Wolfe's  army,  orders  his  friend's  body  buried  within 
the  walls,  Dec.  31. 


1776. 


Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  feels  deeply  the  blow  of  the  death  of  his 
intimate  friend  and  co-fighter,  Gen.  Richard  Montgomery,  shot 
at  Ouebec  in  the  early  morning  of  December  31st,  and  for- 
warding the- sad  intelligence  to  General  Washington,  says:  "  I 
wish  I  had  no  occasion  to  send  my  dear  general  the  enclosed 
melancholy  accounts.  My  amiable  friend,  the  gallant  Mont- 
gomery, is  no  more !  The  brave  Arnold  is  wounded,  and  we 
have  met  with  a  very  severe  shock  in  an  unsuccessful  attempt 
on  yuebec.  May  Heaven  be  graciously  pleased  to  terminate 
the  misfortune  here.     I  tremble  for  our  people  in  Canada." 

January. 

General  Schuyler  is  ordered  to  disarm  the  Tories  at  Johnson  Hall, 
dispossessing  them  of  all  military  stores,  and  he  accomplishes 
this  with  2,000  men,  January. 

Preaching  in  the  English  tongue  commenced  in  the  Dutch  Re- 
formed Church,  January. 

Ann  Lee  (born  at  Manchester,  Eng.,  in  1736)  takes  up  her  residence 
in  the  Niskayuna  woods  to  the  west  of  the  city,  and  founds  the 
Shaker  settlement,  having  arrived  here  the  previous  year. 

Volckert  P.  Douw,  as  Indian  Commissioner,  allots  the  deputies  of 
the  seven  tribes  of  Canadian  Indians,  who  came  on  from  Onon- 
daga, where  they  attended  the  meeting  of  the  Six  Nations,  each 
I  pair  of  shoes,  i  pair  of  buckles  and  a  hat,  they  being  in  sore 
need  of  clothing,  February 

Continental  Congress  orders  General  Schuyler  to  remain  at  Albany 
and  keep  the  army  General  Montgomery  had  under  him  in 
Canada  well  supplied  with  stores,  March. 

British  compelled  by  General  Washington  to  evacuate  Boston, 

March  17. 

Several  citizens,  among  them  the  Mayor,  celebrate  the  birthday  of 
King  George  III.,  as  had  been  customary  in  the  city,  by  a 
banquet  of  a  private  nature  at  Cartwright's  Inn,  and  are  set 


284  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1776. 


upon  by  those  holding  opposite  views  on  the  propriety  of  the 
occasion,  June  4. 

The  handsome  swinging  sign  outside  the  King's  Arms  Tavern, 
northwest  corner  of  Green  and  Beaver  streets,  forced  from  its 
hinges  by  patriots,  carried  to  Yonkers  (State)  street  and  there 
burned,  June. 

Col.  Goose  Van  Schaick,  commanding  the  5th  N.  Y.  Regiment,  es- 
tablishes detachments  between  Lake  Champlain  and  Albany, 

June. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  signed  at  Philadelphia,  among 
those  affixing  their  signatures  being  Philip  Livingston  of 
Albany,  born  at  the  northwest  corner  of  State  and  Pearl  streets, 
on  Jan.  15,  17 16,  and  the  news  is  sent  at  once  by  post-riders  to 
the  various  Provincial  committees  that  the  inhabitants  of  the 
country  may  hear  and  rejoice,  July  4. 

New  York  Provincial  Congress  assembles  at  White  Plains,  N.  Y., 
to  act  on  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  at  once  change 
the  title  of  the  Province  of  New  York  to  State  of  New  York, 

Delegates  Alatthew  Adgate,  Robert  Yates  and  Abraham  Yates,  Juu., 
at  the  Provincial  Congress  in  session  at  White  Plains,  forward 
a  transcription  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  Correspondence  at  Albany,  July  14. 

The  Albany  Committee  of  Correspondence  on  receiving  the  copy 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  meets  at  the  City  Hall  (  a 
brick  building  three  stories  high,  two  windows  on  either  side  of 
the  central  door,  and  two  windows  deep,  surmounted  by  a 
cupola,  at  the  northeast  corner  of  South  Market  street  (Broad- 
way) and  Hudson  (avenue)  street  and  there  passes  the  fol- 
lowing resolution :  "  Resolved  that  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence be  published  and  declared  in  this  City  to-morrow  at 
Eleven  O'Clock  at  this  place,  and  that  Colonel  \'an  Schaick  be 
requested  to  order  the  Continental  Troops  in  this  City  to  appear 
under  arms  at  the  place  aforesaid,  and  Farther  that  the  Captains 
of  the  several  Militia  Companies  in  this  City  be  requested  to 
warn  the  Persons  belonging  to  their  respective  Companies  to 
appear  at  the  place  aforesaid."  July  18. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  is  read  aloud  at  the  City  Hall  to 
an  immense  throng,  who  crowded  Market  street  in  both  direc- 
tions and  Hudson  street  down  to  the  river,  the  inhabitants  and 
Continental  troopers  receiving  its  message  with  satisfactory  ex- 
pressions, and  their  fervor,  aroused  by  the  deep  interest  in  the 


No.  26.  AJJRAllAM    CURNKLIS    Cl'VLKK.  285 

1776. 


nation's  vital  matter,  was  such  as  to  be  comparable  witli  the 
estimate  placed  by  the  future  century  on  the  act  giving  birth  to 
a  new  country,  the  applause,  sincerity  of  expression  and  a 
mingling  of  hilarity  borne  of  reliance  and  bravery,  being  such 
as  the  ancient  city  had  never  before  witnessed.  July  19. 

The  Provincial  Congress  now  known  as  the  Convention  of  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  State  of  New  York,  having  cast  off  the  yoke 
of  a  home  countrv  and  all  semblance  of  a  colony,  July  20. 

At  the  Convention  of  Representatives  a  committee  is  appointed  to 
draft  a  state  constitution,  consisting  of  the  following:  John  Jay, 
John  Sloss  Hobart,  William  Smith,  William  Duer,  Gouverneur 
Morris,  Robert  R.  Livingston  (the  Chancellor),  John  15roome, 
John  Morin  Scott,  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.  (ex-Mayor  of 
Albany),  Henry  Wisner,  Sen.,  Samuel  Townsend,  Charle.i 
DeWitt,  and  Robert  Yates,  James  Duane  being  added  later, 

Aug.   I. 

Gen.  Schuyler  finding  that  half  the  men  at  Crown  Point  were  sick 
and  that  a  large  number  were  also  withdrawn  in  order  to  row 
these  to  the  hospital  at  Fort  George,  at  the  southern  end  of 
Lake  George,  called  a  council  of  his  officers,  and  it  was  agreed 
that  as  Crown  Point  was  a  low  and  insalubrious  situation,  lack- 
ing buildings  of  any  sort  and  the  men  sleeping  under  brush 
huts,  the  wisest  course  was  to  move  to  the  higher  land  of 
Ticonderoga,  where  the  fortress  was  more  healthily  situated. 
It  seemed  best  to  them  then,  and  likewise  proved  so  in  the  end. 
The  men  had  been  exposed  to  the  hot  sun  of  the  summer  there, 
living  on  raw  salt  pork,  often  rancid,  and  hard  biscuit.  Some 
of  the  lesser  officers,  all  New  England  men  and  not  liking  those 
of  another  colony,  held  a  separate  council,  passing  resolutions 
that  by  abandoning  Crown  Point  the  lake  was  left  open  to 
the  enemy.  These  they  sent  to  officers  of  Washington's  army, 
signed  by  them,  and  General  Washington,  learning  but  one 
side  of  the  case,  expressed  his  disapproval.  Schuyler  became 
nettled  by  his  inferior  officers  passing  censure  upon  several  of 
those  above  them,  including  Arnold,  Gates  and  himself,  and  he 
writes  to  the  Congress  requesting  a  court  of  inquiry,     August. 

Hearing  of  no  compliance  with  his  request  for  a  searching  inquiry 
by  Congress,  Gen.  Schuyler  resigns,  stating  that  by  so  doing 
it  was  not  his  intention  to  elude  an  inquiry ;  but  "  on  the  con- 
trary, it  is  a  duty  I  owe  to  myself,  to  my  family  and  to  the 
respectable  Congress  of  this  State,  by  whose  recommendation, 
unsolicited  by  me.  Congress,   I  believe,  was  induced  to  honor 


286  ABRAHAM  CORNELIS  CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1776. 


me  with  a  command,  that  I  should  exculpate  myself  from  the 
many  odious  charges  with  which  the  country  resounds  to  my 
prejudice.  I  trust  I  shall  be  able  fully  to  do  it,  to  the  confusion 
of  my  enemies  and  their  abettors.  But,  aggrieved  as  I  am, 
my  countrymen  will  find  that  I  shall  not  be  influenced  by  any 
unbecoming  resentment,  but  that  I  will  steadily  persevere  to 
fulfill  the  duties  of  a  good  citizen,  and  try  to  promote  the  weal 
of  my  native  country  by  every  effort  in  my  power,       Sept.  14. 

Cadwallader  Golden,  who  had  been  appointed  and  began  his  term  of 
office  as  lieutenant-governor  in  1774  (b.  Ireland,  Feb.  17,  1688, 
N.  S.),  dies,  Sept.  21. 

Congress  acts  on  General  Schuyler's  resignation  in  this  manner: 
"  That  the  President  write  to  General  Schuyler  and  inform  him 
that  Gongress  cannot  consent,  during  the  present  situation  of 
their  affairs,  to  accept  of  his  resignation,  but  request  that  he 
continue  the  command  that  he  now  holds;  that  he  be  assured 
that  the  aspersions  which  his  enemies  have  thrown  out  against 
his  character  have  had  no  influence  upon  the  minds  of  the  mem- 
bers of  this  house  who  are  fully  satisfied  of  his  attachment  to 
the  cause  of  freedom,  and  are  willing  to  bear  their  testimony  of 
the  many  services  which  he  has  rendered  to  his  country ;  and 
that,  in  order  effectually  to  put  calumny  to  silence,  they  will,  at 
an  early  day,  appoint  a  committee  of  their  own  body  to  inquire 
fully  into  his  conduct,  which  they  trust  will  establish  his  repu- 
tation in  the  opinion  of  all  good  men."  Oct.  2. 

Gharter  election  did  not  take  place  this  year  because  of  the  war  with 
Gt.  Britain,  Oct.  14. 

Anxious  to  bring  about  an  inquiry  as  to  his  acts.  General  Schuyler 
had  often  requested  permission  to  call  upon  the  Gongress,  and 
hears  from  General  Washington  :  "  The  situation  of  the  north- 
ern army  being  at  this  juncture  extremely  critical,  and  your 
services  in  that  department  of  the  highest  use  and  importance, 
the  Gongress  wish  for  a  continuance  of  your  influence  and  abili- 
ties on  behalf  of  your  country.  They  have,  however,  agreeably 
to  your  request,  consented  that  you  should  repair  to  this  city 
whenever,  in  your  opinion,  the  service  will  admit  of  your  ab- 
sence." November. 

General  Schuyler  desired  to  visit  the  Gongress  at  Philadelphia  dur- 
ing the  fall  in  order  to  explain  matters ;  but  had  found  too  much 
to  occupy  him.  and  finally  writes :  "  Much  as  I  wish  to  do  my- 
self the  honor  to  pay  my  respects  to  Gongress,  yet  so  much  is 
to  be  done  here,  and  no  other  general  officer  in  the  department, 
that  it  would  not  be  prudent  for  me  to  quit  in  this  conjuncture." 

December. 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORXELIS    CUVLER.  28/ 


1777. 


1777. 

General  Schuyler  writes  to  George  Clinton :  "  I  am  closely  engaged 
in  preparation  for  the  next  campaign,  and  shall  hope  that  if  we 
can  be  furnished  with  men,  cannon  and  ammunition,  that  the 
enemy  will  not  be  able  to  penetrate  by  the  north."  January. 

General  Gates  spending  much  time  at  Philadelphia  seeking  by  the 
help  of  his  New  England  friends  in  the  Congress  to  better  his 
grade  as  officer,  January. 

General  Schuyler  had  secured  the  services  of  Dr.  Samuel  Stringer 
of  Albany  to  help  among  the  numerous  sick  cases  at  Crown 
Point,  and  the  doctor  had  volunteered  to  go,  supplying  much 
medicine  at  his  own  expense.  Schuyler  later  appointed  him  as 
medical  director.  He  was  much  surprised  when  a  note  of  dis- 
missal arrived  at  the  fort  from  Philadelphia,  stating  no  reasons. 
Whereupon  he  expresses  his  sincere  sympathy  for  the  patriotic 
doctor,  using  this  phrase  in  a  letter  he  sends  to  the  Congress: 
"As  Dr.  Stringer  had  my  recommendation  to  the  office  he  has 
sustained,  perhaps  it  was  a  compliment  due  to  me  that  I  should 
have  been  advised  of  the  reasons  for  his  dismissal."  Feb.  4. 

The  friends  of  General  Gates  grasped  this  letter  as  an  opportunity 
to  bring  censure  upon  Schuyler,  pointing  out  that  he  had  criti- 
cized the  acts  of  the  Congress,  and  at  a  session  when  the  New 
York  delegates  were  absent  passed  the  following  resolution 
which  they  trusted  would  bring  about  Schuyler's  resignation 
and  the  elevating  of  General  Gates :  '*  Resolved,  That  as  Con- 
gress proceeded  to  the  dismission  of  Doctor  Stringer,  upon  rea- 
sons satisfactory  to  themselves,  General  Schuyler  ought  to  have 
known  it  to  be  his  duty  to  have  acquiesced  therein.  That  the 
suggestion  in  General  Schuyler's  letter  to  Congress,  that  it  w^as 
a  compliment  due  to  him  to  have  advised  him  of  the  reasons  of 
Dr.  Stringer's  dismission,  is  highly  derogatory  to  the  honor  of 
Congress ;  and  that  the  President  be  desired  to  acquaint  General 
Schuyler  that  it  is  expected  his  letters,  for  the  future,  be  written 
in  a  style  more  suitable  to  the  dignity  of  the  representative  body 
of  these  free  and  independent  states,  and  to  his  own  character 
as  their  officer.  Resolved,  that  it  is  altogether  improper  and 
inconsistent  with  the  dignity  of  this  Congress  to  interfere  in 
disputes  subsisting  among  the  officers  of  the  army ;  which  ought 
to  be  settled,  unless  they  can  be  otherwise  accommodated,  in  a 
court-martial,  agreeably  to  the  rules  of  the  army,  and  that  the 


288  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 

1777. 


expression  in  General  Schuyler's  letter  of  the  4th  of  February, 
that  he  confidently  expected  Congress  would  have  done  him 
that  justice,  which  it  was  in  their  powder  to  give,  and  which 
he  humbly  conceives  they  ought  to  have  done,  were,  to  say  the 
least,  ill  advised  and  highly  indecent."  February. 

General  Gates  directed  to  go  to  Ticonderoga  and  to  employ  under 
him  such  officers  as  he  thinks  proper,  being  virtually  given 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Northern  Department,  if  not  offi- 
cially designated  such. 

•General  Schuyler  seeks  vindication  and  desiring  to  meet  his  accusers 
face  to  face  at  Philadelphia,  proceeds  to  Kingston  where  the 
New  York  convention  is  in  session ;  there  he  explains  the  situa- 
tion and  they  appoint  him  a  delegate  to  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, March. 

The  New  York  convention  of  Representatives  receive  the  draft  of 
the  new  state  constitution  as  framed  by  the  special  committee 
appointed  Aug.  i,  1776,  and  discuss  its  provisions,       March  12. 

George  Clinton  (later  becoming  New  York  state's  first  governor) 
appointed  a  United  States  brigadier-general,  March  25. 

The  convention  adopts  the  state  constitution  at  Kingston,    April  20.  • 

George  Clinton  ( b.  July  26,  1739,  at  Little  Britain,  Ulster  Co., 
N.  Y.,  the  son  of  Charles  Clinton)  elected  the  first  Governor  of 
New  York,  April  21. 

As  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  General  Schuyler  arrives 
at  Philadelphia,  and  seeks  the  identity  of  those  who  had  been 
spreading  malicious  reports  as  well  as  operating  against  him, 
but  found  this  difficult  as  the  members  generally  gave  him  a 
cordial  greeting,  the  result  of  which  he  describes  in  a  letter  to 
his  secretary,  Colonel  Richard  Varick,  telling  him  "  that  there 
were  no  complaints  against  me,  and  they  have  never  believed 
in  any  of  the  malicious  reports  propagated  to  my  disadvantage. 
They  have,  however,  gone  too  far,  and  all  that  stands  on  their 
journals  injurious  to  me  must  be  expunged  or  I  quit  the  ser- 
vice." April. 

The  Congress  appoints  a  committee  of  one  delegate  from  each  state 
to  consider  Schuyler's  case,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Thornton, 
Lovell,  Ellery,  Wolcott,  Duer,  Elmer,  Clymer,  Sykes,  W.  Smith, 
Page,  Burke,  Hayward,  Brownson,  and  to  them  he  recites  the 
entire  story  of  his  command,  April. 

The  Continental  Congress  withdraws  the  resolution  of  censure, 
passed  because  of  the  letter  Schuyler  had  written  to  it  on  Febru- 
ary 4th,  and  officially  informs  him  that  that  august  body  "  Now 


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1777. 


entertain  the  same  favorable  sentiments  concerning  him  that 
they  had  entertained  before  that  letter  (of  Feb.  4th)  had  been 
received,"  and  further  vindication  is  found  in  the  report  of  the 
Board  of  Treasury,  which  had  examined  his  accounts  upon  his 
solicitation,  stating  he  is  clear  "  of  all  demands  of  the  United 
States  against  him."  April. 

Report  is  made  to  the  Congress  by  the  special  committee  that  com- 
pletely exonerates  Schuyler,  as  follows :  "  Resolved,  That 
Albany,  Ticonderoga,  Fort  Stanwix  and  their  dependencies  be 
henceforward  considered  as  forming  the  Northern  Department, 
and  that  Major-General  Schuyler  be  directed  forthwith  to  pro- 
ceed to  the  Northern  Department  and  to  take  command  there." 

May  22. 

Lovell,  who  had  been  an  adherent  of  General  Gates  to  forward  his 
cause  before  the  Congress,  perceives  the  uselessness  of  further 
effort,  and  informs  him  by  letter:  "Misconception  of  past  re- 
solves and  consequent  jealousies  have  produced  a  definition  of 
the  Northern  Department,  and  General  Schuyler  is  ordered  to 
take  command  of  it."  May  22. 

General  Burgoyne  arrives  from  England  at  Quebec,  under  strict 
orders  to  march  on  Albany  and  not  to  deviate  from  this  course 
much  as  he  had  hoped  would  be  preferable  from  certain  plans 
he  had  conceived  and  laid  before  the  home  government,  his 
transports  landing  8,000  men,  mostly  English  and  German 
trained  veterans,  May. 

General  Schuyler  returns  to  Albany,  again  in  full  command  of  the 
Department  of  the  Northern  Army,  June  8. 

General  Schuyler  learns  that  the  supplies  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
state,  while  General  Gates  was  supposedly  supervising  affairs, 
had  been  greatly  exhausted  instead  of  being  built  up  in  prepara- 
tion for  the  expected  invasion  of  Burgoyne,  for  Gates  had  been 
either  at  Albany  or  negotiating  at  Philadelphia  for  control  of 
the  highest  position  in  the  department,  held  by  Schuyler, 

June  10. 

The  capture  of  a  British  spy  discovers  to  General  Schuyler  the  first 
definite  information  of  the  British  plans,  that  General  Burgoyne, 
then  at  Quebec,  intended  to  attack  New  York  province  by  way 
of  Lake  Champlain,  while  Sir  John  Johnson  with  an  army  of 
Canadians  and  Mohawks  descends  the  Mohawk  valley  to  join 
Burgoyne  near  Albany,  June  15. 

Burgoyne's  army  concentrates  at  St.  John's  fort,  located  at  the 
northern  end  of  Lake  Champlain,  and  400  Indians  join  with 
him,  June  18. 


290 


ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUVLER.  No.  26. 


1777. 


The  Congress,  sitting  at  Philadelphia,  informed  by  Roger  Sherman 
(Connecticut's  clelegate)  that  General  Gates  waits  at  the  door 
for  admittance.  William  Paca  inquires,  "  For  what  purpose?  " 
Sherman  replies,  "  To  communicate  intelligence  of  importance." 
William  Duer  describes  the  tumultuous  scene,  wrought  of  jeal- 
ousy of  Gates  over  Schuyler's  position,  as  follows,  he  being  a 
delegate  and  present :  "  The  intelligence  he  communicated  was 
that  the  Indians  were  extremely  friendly,  much  delighted  with 
seeing  P^rench  officers  in  our  service,  and  other  commonplace 
stuff.  *  *  *  Having  thus  gone  through  the  ostensible  part 
of  the  plan,  he  took  out  of  his  pocket  some  scraps  of  papers  con- 
taining a  narrative  of  his  birth,  parentage,  and  education,  life, 
character,  and  behavior.  He  informed  the  House  that  he  had 
quitted  an  easy  and  happy  life  to  enter  their  service,  from  a  pure 
2eal  for  the  liberties  of  America;  that  he  had  strenuously  ex- 
erted himself  in  its  defence ;  that  in  some  time  in  May  last  he 
was  appointed  to  a  command  in  the  northern  department,  and  a 
few  days  since,  without  having  given  any  cause  of  offence,  with- 
out accusation,  without  trial,  without  hearing,  witliout  notice, 
he  had  received  a  resolution  by  which  he  was  in  a  most  dis- 
graceful manner  superseded  in  his  command.  Here  his  oration 
became  warm,  and  contained  many  reflections  upon  Congress, 
and  malicious  insinuations  against  Mr.  Duane,  whose  name  he 
mentioned,  and  related  some  conversation,  which  he  said  had 
passed  between  him  and  that  gentleman  on  his  way  to  Albany. 
Here  Mr.  Duane  rose,  and  addressing  himself  to  the  President, 
hoped  that  the  General  would  observe  order,  and  cease  any  per- 
sonal applications,  as  he  could  not,  in  Congress,  enter  into  any 
controversy  with  him  on  the  subject  of  any  former  conversa- 
tion. Mr.  Paca  caught  the  fire,  and  immediately  moved  that 
the  General  be  ordered  to  withdraw.  I  seconded  the  motion, 
observing  that  the  conduct  of  the  General  was  unbecoming  the 
House  to  endure,  and  himself  to  be  guilty  of.  Mr.  Jerry  Dyson. 
Mr.  Sherman  and  some  others  of  his  eastern  friends  rose,  and 
endeavored  to  palliate  his  conduct  and  to  oppose  his  withdraw- 
ing; on  this  Mr.  Middleton,  Mr.  Burke,  Colonel  Harrison  and 
two  or  three  others  arose,  and  there  was  a  general  clamor  in 
the  House  that  he  should  immediately  withdraw.  All  this  while 
the  General  stood  upon  the  floor,  and  interposed  several  times  in 
the  debates  which  arose  on  this  subject;  however,  the  clamor 
increasing,  he  withdrew.  *  *  *  The  want  of  candor  in  Mr. 
Sherman,  who  asked  for  his  admittance  on  the  pretence  of  his 


JsJo.  26.  ADRAIIAM    CORNELIS    CUVLER.  29! 


1777. 


giving-  the  House  intelligence,  was  much  inveighed  against,  but 
he  bore  it  all  with  a  true  Connecticut  stoicism.  Congress  at 
length  came  to  the  determination  that  General  Gates  should  not 
again  be  admitted  to  the  floor,  but  that  he  should  be  informed 
that  Congress  was  ready  and  willing  to  hear,  by  way  of  memo- 
rial, any  grievances  which  he  had  to  complain  of.  Here  this 
matter  ended.  Not,  as  you  will  observe,  to  his  credit  or  ad- 
vantage. It  is  impossible  for  me  to  give  you  an  idea  of  the 
'  unhappy  figure  which  G.  G.  made  on  this  occasion.  His  man- 
ner was  ungracious,  and  totally  devoid  of  all  dignity;  his  de- 
livery was  incoherent  and  interrupted  with  frequent  chasms, 
in  which  he  was  peering  over  his  scattered  notes ;  and  the  tenor 
of  his  discourse  was  a  compound  of  vanity,  folly  and  rudeness. 
I  can  assure  you  that  notwithstanding  his  conduct  has  been 
such  as  to  have  eradicated  from  my  mind  every  sentiment  of 
respect  and  esteem  for  him,  I  felt  for  him  as  a  man,  and  for 
the  honor  of  human  nature  wished  him  to  withdraw  before  he 
had  plunged  himself  into  utter  contempt."  June  i8. 

General  Schuyler  arrives  at  Ticonderoga  and  inspects  the  troops 
and  the  defences,  the  two  forts  at  either  side  of  the  passage 
connecting  Lake  George  with  Lake  Champlain,  the  one  taken 
by  Ethan  Allen  from  the  British  on  ]\Iay  lo,  1775,  and  the 
other  a  star  fort,  built  under  Schuyler's  orders  in  1776,  the  two 
connected  by  a  floating  bridge,  composed  of  heavy  timbers 
chained  end  to  end,  1.200  feet  long,  supported  by  22  sunken 
piers.  While  in  defending  the  location  he  had  men  sufficient 
to  man  these  two  forts  he  had  not  enough  to  garrison  Sugar 
Loaf  Hill  and  ]\Iount  Hope  in  the  immediate  vicinity,    June  20. 

General  Schuyler,  at  Albany,  arranging  for  the  defence  of  this 
city  from  the  anticipated  John  Johnson  expedition  through  the 
Alohawk  valley,  despatches  messengers  to  General  Washing- 
ton and  the  governors  of  Connecticut,  Massachusetts  and  New 
Hampshire,  also  to  the  Committees  of  Berkshire  and  of  New 
York  city,  imploring  re-inforcements  to  be  sent  to  the  northern 
part  of  the  state,  as  the  enemy  was  coming,  June  27. 

General  Schuyler  receives  word  from  Major-General  St.  Clair,  at 
Ticonderoga,  that  the  British  are  advancing  southward.  Gen- 
eral Burgoyne's  army  then  ascending  Lake  Champlain  on  its 
way  to  Ticonderoga,  June  27. 

Burgoyne's  armv  having  been  moved  in  boats  from  St.  John's  fort 
to  Crown  Point,  is  there  reviewed  by  him,  his  address  to  his 
men  ending  thus :  "  This  army  must  not  retreat,"  and  he 
begins  the  march  to  Ticonderoga,  another  step  towards  Albany, 

June  2"]. 


292  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER,  No.  26. 

1777. 

General  Washington  writes  to  General  Schuyler  that  he  is  endeavor- 
ing to  "  keep  General  Howe  below  the  Highlands,"  lest  the 
British  army  ascend  the  Hudson  to  Albany,  and  the  best  he 
could  do  at  this  time  to  help  the  Northern  army  is  to  order 
some  troops,  then  at  Peekskill,  to  march  to  Albany,       July  2. 

Brigadier-General  George  Clinton  is  elected  the  first  Governor  of 
New  York  state  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  the  new  con- 
stitution, July   3. 

General  Heath  writes  to  General  Washington  that  General  Bur- 
goyn:e  is  within  three  utiles  of  Ticonderoga,  and  ,that  the 
British  are  about  to  test  their  strength  against  the  Americans, 

July  3- 
General  Phillips,  of  the  British  forces,  surveys  Sugar  Loaf  Hill, 
less  than  a  mile  south  of  Ticonderoga  and  600  feet  high,  saying 
to  a  brother  officer,  "  Where  a  goat  can  go,  a  man  can  go, 
and  where  a  man  can  go,  he  can  haul  up  a  gun,"  realizing 
that  if  he  can  place  cannon  there  he  can  command  the  situation 
against  the  Americans  in  the  two  forts  on  the  lower  land, 
accordingly  that  night  he  places  a  battery  on  the  top  of  Sugar 
Loaf  Hill,  renaming  it  then  Mount  Defiance,  July  4. 

Looking  upward  at  daybreak  from  their  two  forts  on  either  side 
of  the  narrow  passage  connecting  Lakes  George  and  Champlain, 
the  American  army  beholds  with  great  dismay  the  British 
artillery  frov/ning  down  upon  their  position,  their  location  safe 
from  assault  on  the  level  but  as  an  open  book  before  the 
position  the  British  had  acquired  upon  Sugar  Loaf  Hill,  and 
to  remain  any  time  meant  extermination  in  a  death  trap,  so 
in  order  to  save  his  army  General  St.  Clair  follows  the  only 
course  consistent,  that  of  slipping  out  and  making  a  very  quick 
march  southward,  thus  to  render  the  elevated  position  of  the 
British   no  advantage  over  their  own,  July   5. 

General  Schuyler  impatiently  awaits  at  Albany  the  Peekskill  rein- 
forcements that  General  W^ashington  had  promised,  to  take 
them  to  Lake  Champlain,  and  having  sent  sloops  down  the 
river  m  search  of  them,  writes  to  the  Congress :  "If  they 
do  not  arrive  by  to-morrow,  I  shall  go  on  without  them  and  do 
the   best   I   can   with   the    militia."  July   5. 

General  St.  Clair  having  no  boats  with  which  to  convey  his  army 
southward  by  the  way  of  Lake  George,  strikes  southeasterly 
through  the  forests  and  across  mountains  of  wild  underbrush 
and  impenetrable  woods ;  but  his  rear  guard  is  attacked  by 
General  Frazer  and  his  1,000  men  at  Hubbardton,  east  of  Lake 


FORT  TICONDEROGA. 

Scene  of  conflict  between  Samuel  Champlain  and  the  Mohawks,  July  30,  1609.  Built 
by  the  French  under  Baron  Dieskau  in  1755-6,  and  named  Fort  Carillon.  Gen.  Aber- 
crombie  defeated  here  by  Montcalm,  JulyS,  1758.  Lord  Amherst  took  it  from  the  French, 
July  26,  1759.     Americans  evacuated  it  to  Burgoyne,  July  5,  1777. 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORXELIS    CUYLER.  293 

1777. 

George,  and  just  as  the  Americans  are  beating  them  back, 
General  Riedesel  arrives  with  his  Hessian  troops,  so  that  the 
Americans  retreat,  leaving  300  killed  and  wounded,       July  6. 

The  expected  troops  from  Peekskill  not  arriving  at  Albany,  General 

Schuyler   departs   without   them    for   Ticonderoga,   and    when 

between  Saratoga  and  Stillwater  meets  Colonel  Hay,  bearing 

the  news  that  General   St.   Clair  had  evacuated  Ticonderoga, 

•  but  he  does  not  know  whither  he  was  now  proceeding,     July  7. 

While  Generals  Frazer  and  Riedesel  pursue  General  St.  Clair  along 
the  land  to  the  east  of  Lake  George,  Burgoyne  advances  south- 
ward on  that  lake,  July  8. 

Brig.-Gen.  George  Clinton  officially  announced  Governor  of  New 
York  state  by  the  convention,  Ji-^ty  9- 

Burgoyne's  army  only  20  miles  behind  General  St.  Clair's,  which 
is  hurrying  southward,  making  for  Fort  Edward,  Jwly  10. 

General  Schuyler  continues  northward  and  joins  General  St.  Clair 
at  Fort  Edward,  July  12. 

Burgoyne  at  Skeensborough,  east  of  Lake  George,  approaching  Fort 
George,  July   14. 

General  Schuyler  realizing  the  great  disadvantage  he  is  placed  in 
if  required  to  protect  Albany  from  the  army  of  Burgoyne,  and 
wondering  whether  those  at  Albany  and  at  the  seat  of  the 
nation,  the  Congress,  are  truly  aware  of  the  frightful  conditions, 
writes  to  Colonel  Lewis,  deputy  quartermaster-general  at 
Albany  that  the  citizens  here  must  at  once  supply  the  necessities 
and  urges  that  "  recourse  must  therefore  be  had  to  the  com- 
m.ittee,  begging  their  interposition  to  collect  such  lead  as  is  in 
the  city ;  the  lead  windows  and  weights  may,  perhaps,  afford  a 
supply  for  the  present.  As  soon  as  it  is  collected,  Mr.  Rens- 
selaer will  have  it  made  into  ball,  and  send  it  up  without  a 
moment's  delay.  Should  a  wagon  be  sent  off  with  one  box,  as 
soon  as  it  is  ready  it  must  be  pushed  off;  also  all  the  buck 
shot."  July. 

H  at  all  needful,  in  the  face  of  remark  by  any  historian  that 
Schuyler  was  too  fond  of  retreating  (as  a  dispute  of  this  nature 
was  aroused  a  full  month  later  by  Gates)  or  of  any  imputation 
of  lack  of  courage,  the  letter  written  at  this  time  by  him,  a 
month  previous  to  a  retreat,  must  show  he  imposed  with  reason 
the  condition  of  something  like  adequate  aid  by  the  government 
before  he  thought  it  safe  or  proper  to  meet  such  a  powerful 
army  as  Burgoyne's,  and  this  letter  to  General  Washington, 
in  part,  reads :     '"  Desertion  prevails  and  disease  gains  ground ; 


294  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 

1777. 

nor  is  it  to  be  wondered  at,  for  we  have  neither  tents,  houses, 
barns,  boards,  or  any  shelter  except  a  Httle  brush ;  every  rain 
that  falls,  and  we  have  it  in  o-reat  abundance  almost  every  day, 
wets  the  men  to  the  skin.  We  are  besides  in  great  want  of 
every  kind  of  necessities,  provisions  excepted.  Camp  kettles 
we  have  so  few,  that  we  cannot  afford  one  to  20  men."       July. 

At  this  time  the  friends  of  Gates  particularly  active  in  urging  the 
Congress  that  he  be  given  charge  of  the  Northern  Army,  all 
the  New  Englanders  spitefully  decrying  the  actions  of  the 
various  New  York  officers,  and  loth  to  send  their  men  into 
another  colony  to  light  under  men  of  the  place  whither  they 
go  and  reaping  battles  for  the  credit  of  officers  not  of  their  own 
state,  the  talk  going  so  far  as  to  suggest  that  both  St.  Clair 
and  Schuyler  were  traitors,  even  Adams  voicing  the  sentiment 
that  no  victories  could  be  won  until  they  had  shot  an  officer  or 
two,  whereas  when  the  matter  was  later  considered  in  the 
light  of  facts  it  was  shown  that  the  Congress  had  not  sent 
an  army  of  size  to  man  the  mountains  at  the  outlet  of  Lake 
George  (Mount  Defiance)  and  the  enemy  simply  took  advan- 
tage of  this,  July   15. 

While  it  was  a  definite  fact  that  Burgoyne's  army  numbered  between 
eight  and  nine  thousand,  five  hundred  being  Indians,  the  "  re- 
turn "  of  the  American  brigade  of  Albany  County  militia  under 
Brig.-Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  made  this  day  at  Fort  Ed- 
ward, shows  1,755  "len,  July  18. 

General  Washington  on  hearing  of  the  disaster  at  Ticonderoga, 
writes  to  General  Schuyler :  "  I  will  not  condemn  or  even 
pass  a  censure  upon  any  officer  unheard ;  but  I  think  it  a  duty 
which  General  St.  Clair  owes  to  his  own  character  to  insist 
upon  an  opportunity  of  giving  the  reasons  for  his  sudden 
evacuation  of  a  post  which,  but  a  few  days  before,  he,  by  his 
own  letters,  thought  tenable,  at  least  for  a  while."       July  18. 

General  Burgoyne  makes  his  headquarters  at  Fort  Edward  with 
8,000  men  and  500  Indians,  slowly  proceeding  southward, 

July  25. 

General  Schuyler  had  made  it  difficult  for  Burgoyne  to  move  with 
any  rapidity,  not  so  much  as  two  miles  a  day,  busying  himself 
with  the  policy  of  delaying  the  enemy  all  possible,  that  prepara- 
tions might  be  made  to  meet  him  effectually  before  long,  and 
his  object  was  to  make  it  hard  for  Burgoyne  to  obtain  supplies 
the  further  he  went  from  his  base  in  Canada.  With  this  end 
in  view  he  had  burned  Fort  George  at  the  head  of  the  lake  and 


or;*>'»"3 


WAR  MAP  OF  REVOLUTION. 

It  shows  the  route  followed  by  Burgoyne's  army  on  its  march  from  Montreal 
to  Albany,  and  location  of  battles  at  Forts  Ticonderoga,  George,  Edward,  Ann, 
and  Stanwix,  Oriskany  and  Bemis  Heights. 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUVLER.  295 

1777. 

Fort  Anne  to  the  southeast,  having  moved  their  stores  first  ta 
Fort  Edward,  the  first  two  named  being  hardly  more  than  forti- 
fied storehouses,  and  although  Fort  Edward  'was  the  most 
important  of  the  three  it  was  in  no  wise  defencible  against  an 
army  like  Burgoyne's,  for  when  the  Marquis  de  Chastellux 
visited  it  soon  after  he  reported  that  it  could  be  taken  with  500 
men  and  four  guns  ;  but  the  news  that  he  had  burned  them 
was  received  at  Philadelphia  with  blame,  some  saying  he  had 
given  up  two  more  forts  to  the  British,  whereas  he  had  harbored 
their  stores  elsewhere  and  the  British  found  the  forts  empty. 
Schuyler  had  sent  out  a  thousand  men  to  fell  trees  that  would 
fall  across  the  roads  and  navigable  streams,  in  fact  with  trunks 
and  branches  intersecting  they  formed  a  tangle  that  men  could 
not  penetrate,  likewise  choking  the  creeks  and  destroying  the 
bridges  across  them.  So  well  did  he  carry  out  his  plans  that 
although  the  British  had  taken  only  four  days  to  come  from 
Ticonderoga  to  the  head  of  the  lake  (Caldwell),  a  distance  of 
40  miles,  the  next  twenty  days  were  required  to  proceed  the 
20  miles  to  Fort  Edward,  and  these  twenty  days  were  of  vast 
importance  in  collecting  an  army  that  could  cope  with  Burgoyne 
ere  it  came  to  Albany,  July. 

General  Schuyler  tells  General  Washington  of  the  need  of  assistance, 
men  and  ammunition,  in  these  words :  "  I  have  indeed  written 
to  Springfield  for  the  cannon  which  were  there.  But  the  answer 
I  got  was  that  they  were  all  ordered  another  way.  I  have 
also  written  to  Boston,  not  that  I  expect  anything  will  be  sent 
me,  but  that  I  may  stand  justified;  for  I  have  never  yet  been 
able  to  get  much  of  anything  from  there.  In  this  situation  I 
can  only  look  up  to  your  Excellency  for  relief;  and  permit  me 
to  entreat  you  to  send  me  a  re-enforcement  of  troops  and  such 
a  supply  of  artillery,  ammunition,  and  every  other  necessary 
(except  provisions  and  powder)  which  an  army  ought  to  have, 
if  it  can  possibly  be  spared."  Jw^Y- 

General  Washington  replied  that  to  detach  any  considerable  number 
of  men  from  his  own  army  would  be  to  weaken  himself  too 
much,  as  he  is  occupied  with  thwarting  General  Howe's  plans 
of  a  serious  invasion ;  but  will  help  him  when  possible,  July. 
Jane  McCrea  proves  a  martyr  by  advancing  the  American  cause  by 
the  seemingly  small  incident  in  time  of  war,  the  sacrificing  of 
one  life  and  that  of  a  mere  country  girl,  far  more  than  could 
the  appeals  of  Schuyler  or  even  of  General  Washington,  fot 
help  through  New  England  troops  to  co-operate  with  the  Nevs 


296  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1777. 


York  militia.  Burgoyne  had  had  a  great  disHke  of  Indians  as 
allies,  although  ordered  by  the  home  country  to  employ  them, 
and  had  issued  orders  to  them  at  the  start  that  they  were  to 
fight  after  the  method  of  civilized  nations,  an  argument  that 
he  was  roundly  ridiculed  about,  and  this  alliance  proves  a 
boomerang.  Panther,  a  chief,  with  his  marauding  band  cap- 
tures Jane  McCrea,  the  young  daughter  of  a  Scotch  clergyman, 
near  Fort  Edward,  and  she  was  visiting  at  the  home  of  Mrs. 
McNeil :  Both  women  were  captured  by  the  Indians  and  were 
being  taken  to  the  British  camp  when  pursued  by  Americans. 
The  two  women  become  separated  and  the  elder  woman  arrives 
in  safety ;  but  Jane  McCrea  does  not  and  her  safety  causes 
alarm  as  she  was  engaged  to  a  Tory  officer  in  the  British 
army,  July  27. 

Panther,  the  Indian  chief,  comes  into  the  British  camp  dangling  the 
scalp  of  a  woman  who  had  long  hair  and  expects  to  be  ap- 
plauded for  his  bravery  and  activity  in  taking  the  life  of  an 
enemy;  but  Mrs.  McNeil  recognizes  it  as  the  hair  of  her  dear 
friend,  Jeanie  McCrea  and  a  search  in  the  forest  reveals  this 
to  be  only  too  true,  for  they  find  her  body  pierced  by  three 
bullets,  July  28. 

General  Burgoyne  issues  a  strict  order  that  no  party  of  Indians 
shall  pass  out  of  the  lines  unless  accompanied  by  a  British  officer 
to  preserve  orderly  warfare.  The  Indian  allies  resent  the  order, 
load  themselves  with  all  the  provisions  they  can  carry  and 
decamp  into  the  Adirondacks,  July  29. 

The  story  of  Jane  McCrea's  sad  fate  spreads  into  New  England, 
where  the  inhabitants  had  been  slow  to  arouse  to  the  necessity 
of  aiding  Schuyler  in  the  New  York  struggle  against  Burgoyne ; 
but  the  details  of  Panther  vaingloriously  striding  into  the 
British  camp  swinging  the  scalp  of  the  young  and  innocent  girl 
quickens  the  impulse  of  every  New  England  home,  and  they 
proceed  enthusiastically  to  muster  regiments  in  Massachusetts 
and  Connecticut,  which  prove  a  boon  in  fighting  Burgoyne, 
but  had  been  tardy  in  coming  to  Schuyler's  aid  when  appealed 
to  in  the  most  ardent  language,  July  31. 

Receiving  no  intimation  that  his  force  will  be  augmented  sufficiently 
and  within  a  short  time  to  meet  Burgoyne's,  General  Schuyler 
thinks  it  best  to  move  his  army  south  as  far  as  Saratoga,  that 
he  may  the  more  readily  be  reached  with  reinforcements  and 
also  being  nearer  his  base  of  supplies,  be  the  better  able  to 
make  a  determined  stand,  and  writes  to  the  Committee  of  Safety 


JANE  McCREA  TREE. 

Few  realize  the  momentous  effect  of  the  barbaric  slaying  of  Jane  McCrea 
in  the  Ft.  Edward  woods  by  "  Panther."  It  is  likely  that  Burgoyne  would 
have  captured  Albany  had  not  the  New  England  colonies  been  shocked  to  a 
realization  of  danger  and  speedily  sent  militia  to  Bemis  Heights.  Remains 
removed  to  Ft.  Edward  cemetery  April  23,  1822. 


JSlO.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNF.LIS    CUVLER.  297 

1777. 

at  Albany :  "  I  have  been  on  horseback  all  day,  reconnoitring 
the  country  for  a  place  to  encamp  on,  that  will  give  us  a  chance 
of  stopping  the  enemy's  career.  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to 
find  a  spot  that  has  the  least  prospect  of  answering  the  purpose, 
and  I  believe  you  will  soon  learn  that  we  are  retired  still 
farther  south."  Aug.   i. 

The  Congress  giving  heed  to  those  who  had  spread  the  opinion  thar 
General  Schuyler  was  not  the  proper  person  to  have  charge  of 
the  Northern  Army,  recalls  him,  and  asks  General  Washington 
to  name  a  new  general-in-chief.  A  memorial  in  the  hand- 
writing of  Samuel  Adams,  a  New  Englander,  is  signed  by 
all  the  New  England  delegates  to  the  Congress,  who  embrace 
the  opportunity  that  had  specifically  been  made,  requesting  Gen- 
eral Washington  to  appoint  general  Gates  in  Schuyler's  stead, 

Aug.  I. 

Jolin  Jay  and  Gouverneur  Morris,  delegates  from  New  York  to 
Philadelphia  and  two  of  the  most  respected  delegates  of  the 
entire  Continental  Congress,  arrive  there  in  order  to  explain 
the  situation  in  their  state  and  the  impossibility  of  Schuyler 
maintaining  his  position  against  so  great  odds  ;  but  learning  that 
Gates  had  been  appointed  to  supersede  him  the  previous  day, 
each  writes  as  follows  to  General  Schuyler, —  from  Gouverneur 
Morris :  "  You  will  readily  believe  that  we  are  not  pleased 
at  this  resolution,  and  I  assure  you  for  my  own  part  I  feel 
exceedingly  distressed  at  your  removal,  just  when  changing 
fortune  began  to  declare  in  your  favor.  Congress,  I  hope,  will 
perceive  that  our  successes  have  been  owing  to  the  judicious 
plans  adopted  previous  to  your  removal ;"  and  from  John  Jay : 
"  Washington  and  Congress  were  assured  that  unless  another 
general  presided  in  the  Northern  Department  the  militia  of 
New  England  would  not  be  brought  into  the  field.  The  Con- 
gress, under  this  apprehension,  exchanged  their  general  for  the 
militia — a  bargain  which  can  receive  no  justification  from  the 
supposed  necessity  of  the  times  ;"  from  James  Duane,  another 
delegate,  coming  from  New  York  city :  "  Your  enemies,  relent- 
less, and  bent  on  your  destruction,  would  willingly  include  you 
in  the  odium  of  losing  Ticonderoga.  The  change  of  command 
was  not,  however,  founded  on  this  principle,  but  merely  on  the 
representation  of  the  Eastern  States  that  their  militia,  suspicious 
of  your  military  character,  w^ould  not  turn  out  in  defence  of 
New  York  while  you  presided  in  the  Northern  Department." 

Aug.  2. 


298  AliRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 

1777. 

So  many  of  the  persons  living-  in  the  country  near  Albany,  in  dread 
of  the  expected  attack  seek  the  protection  of  the  city,  bringing 
their  live  stock,  and  the  authorities  not  caring  to  aid  the 
foe  by  having  them  taken  by  the  enemy's  scouting  parties 
for  provender,  the  Committee  of  Safety  provides  that  the  pas- 
ture land  in  the  southern  part  of  the  city  that  is  owned  by  tories 
may  be  used  by  any  refugees  for  grazing,  Aug.  4. 

General  Washington  having  refused  to  interfere  in  the  action  taken 
by  the  Congress  and  being  unwilling  to  appoint  a  man  in  the 
place  of  Schuyler,  leaves  the  matter  at  the  disposal  of  the 
Congress  and  that  body  appoints  Gen.  Horatio  Gates,  who  was 
born  at  Maldon,  Eng.,  1728,  and  was  a  resident  of  New 
England  after  coming  to  this  country,  Aug.  5. 

General  Schuyler  writes  to  General  Washington,  having  moved  his 
army  from  Saratoga  southward  to  Stillwater  as  follows :  "  By 
the  unanimous  advice  of  all  the  general  officers,  I  have  moved 
the  army  to  this  place.  Here  we  propose  to  fortify  a  camp,  in 
expectation  that  reinforcements  will  enable  us  to  keep  the 
ground  and  prevent  the  enemy  from  penetrating  further  into 
the  country;  but  if  it  should  be  asked  whence  I  expect  these 
reinforcements,  I  should  be  at  loss  for  an  answer^  not  having 
heard  a  word  from  Massachusetts  on  my  repeated  application, 
nor  am  I  certain  that  Connecticut  will  afford  us  any  success. 
Our  Continental  force  is  daily  decreasing  by  desertion,  sickness, 
and  loss  in  skirmishes  with  the  enemy,  and  not  a  man  of  the 
militia  now  with  me  will  remain  above  one  week  longer,  and 
while  our  force  is  diminishing  that  of  the  enemy  augments  by  a 
constant  acquisition  of  Tories ;  but  if,  by  any  means,  we  could 
be  put  in  a  situation  for  attacking  the  enemy  and  giving  them 
a  repulse,  their  retreat  would  be  extremely  difficult,  that  in  all 
probability  they  w^ould  lose  the  greater  part  of  their  army." 

Aug.  5. 

General  Burgoyne  carrying  out  the  plan  of  marching  southward  to 
Albany  while  Gen.  William  Howe  moves  up  the  Hudson  from 
New  York  with  his  5,000  men,  thus  opposing  a  combined 
army  of  disciplined  soldiers  of  more  than  14,000  British  soldiers 
to  General  Schuyler's  less  than  2,000,  sends  a  despa.tch  to 
General  Howe  telling  him  that  he  is  satisfied  with  his  advance 
on  Albany  and  impatient  to  reach  the  mouth  of  the  Mohawk, 
when  he  could  make  nine  miles  to  Albany  whenever  ready 
to  take  that  city,  which  he  calculates  should  be  in  about  sixteen 
days,  Aug.  6. 


GENERAL  PETER  GANSEVOORT. 

He  was  born  at  Albany,  July  17,  1749:  successfully  defended 
Fort  Stanwix  (Rome,  N.  Y.)  against  British  and  Indians 
under  Gen.  St.  Leger,  August,  1777,  and  died  July  2,  1812. 
(From  the  painting  by  Gilbert  Stuart.) 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  299 

1777. 

General  Schuyler  bears  his  supreme  trial  as  a  man  and  evinces  his 
thorough  patriotism  in  his  letter  to  President  Hancock :  "  I 
am  far  from  being  insensible  of  the  indignity  of  being  ordered 
from  the  command  of  the  army  at  a  time  when  an  engagement 
must  soon  take  place.  It,  however,  gives  me  great  consolation 
that  I  shall  have  an  opportunity  of  evincing  that  my  conduct 
has  been  such  as  deserved  the  thanks  of  my  country."     August. 

General  Nicholas  Herkimer  is  at  Oriskany,  on  the  ]\Iohawk  eigiit 
miles  below  Fort  Stanwix  where  Col.  Peter  Gansevoort  had 
been  pluckih^  holding  the  little  garrison  against  General  St. 
Leger  of  the  British  force  coming  from  Oswego,  and  he  plans 
to  attack  that  general  from  the  rear,  thus  giving  Gansevoort 
an  opportunity  to  make  a  sally,  and  sends  word  that  on  the 
firing  of  three  guns  from  the  fort  he  will  co-operate,       Aug.  5. 

Herkimer  does  not  hear  the  three  guns  at  the  time  specified  and 
waits,  but  on  being  accused  by  his  officers  with  treachery  yields 
and  leading  his  men  up  the  Mohawk's  bank  he  is  attacked  sud- 
denly in  an  ambuscade,  St.  Leger  having  been  advised  by  Indian 
scouts,  and  his  Royal  Greens  spring  out  engaging  Herkimer  in 
the  most  bloody  battle  of  the  Revolution.  Herkimer,  wounded 
by  a  shattered  leg,  sits  upon  a  tree  stump  and  while  smoking 
his  pipe  to  relieve  the  pain,  gives  orders  to  his  men  (from  which 
wound  by  unsuccessful  operation  he  dies  later)  and  they  fight 
hard  though  losing  many.  Gansevoort,  a  native  Albanian 
(b.  July  17,  1749),  on  hearing  the  noise  of  battle,  makes  an  im- 
petuous sally  and  takes  Sir  John  Johnson's  men  by  surprise,  they 
rushing  across  the  Mohawk.  Gansevoort  loots  the  British 
camp  of  all  Sir  Johnson's  papers  and  places  the  five  British  flags 
he  captures  beneath  one  that  he  improvises  for  the  American 
army,  for  in  the  exigency  of  the  case  the  Americans  required 
some  sort  of  a  national  flag,  (although  the  Congress  had  taken 
action  a  month  or  two  before  to  provide  a  flag)  composing  it  of 
a  portion  of  Captain  Swarthout's  cloak,  Aug.  6. 

General  Philip  Schuyler,  having  been  at  Albany  attending  to  some 
important  matters  regarding  the  relief  of  Fort  Stanwix,  is 
about  to  mount  his  horse,  standing;  before  his  mansion  in  the 
southern  part  of  this  city,  and  ride  back  to  his  army  near 
Saratoga,  when  an  officer  comes  up,  who  hands  him  a  dispatch. 
He  breaks  the  seal,  and  a  flush  spreads  over  his  noble  face  as 
he  reads  a  copy  of  the  resolution  of  the  Congress  relieving  him 
of  his  command.  The  sacrifice  must  have  aroused  powerful 
sentiments,  of  sorrow  in  his  mind ;  but  he  smothers  all  ideas  of 
resentment  that  may  be  intermixed  with  patriotic  duty,  mounts 


300  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUVLKR.  No.  26. 

1777. 

his  horse  and  starts  for  Stillwater,  just  the  same  as  had  been  his 
intention  before  the  unpleasant  message  arrived,  Aug-.  lo. 

Genera!  Schuyler  writes  to  James  Duane,  New  York  delegate  to  the 
Congress  from  whom  he  had  received  a  cordial  letter  condoling 
the  circumstances  of  his  removal :  "  Last  night  I  was  advised 
that  General  Gates  is  on  the  point  of  arriving  to  relieve  me. 
Your  fears  may  be  up,  lest  the  ill-treatment  I  have  experienced 
at  his  hands  should  so  far  get  the  better  of  my  judgment  as  to 
embarrass  him.  Do  not,  my  dear  friend,  be  uneasy  on  that 
account.  I  am  incapable  of  sacrificing  my  country  to  a  resent- 
ment however  just,  and  I  trust  I  shall  give  an  example  of  what 
a  good  citizen  ought  to  do  when  he  is  in  my  situation."  August. 

General  Schuyler's  estimable  wife,  Catherine  (  daughter  of  John  \  an 
Rensselaer  of  the  Greenbush  ]\Ianor,  born  at  his  home.  Fort 
Crailo,  on  Nov.  4,  1734),  a  very  beautiful  woman  as  well  as  a 
most  kindly  character,  often  sending  her  milch  cows  from  her 
farms  to  relief  of  the  needy,  goes  up  to  their  Saratoga  (Schuy- 
lerville)  homestead  (on  the  west  bank  of  the  Hudson,  12  miles 
northeast  of  Saratoga  Springs)  in  her  chariot  drawn  by  foui" 
horses,  in  order  to  remove  the  household  articles,  fearing  the 
early  approach  of  the  l>ritish.  She  is  attended  by  a  single 
armed  man  on  horseback.  A\'hen  she  reaches  a  point  of  dense 
woods  two  miles  south  of  her  home,  she  meets  a  crowd  of 
panic-stricken  people  who  are  hurrying  along  the  highway  to 
Albany,  and  who  tell  her  of  the  tragic  death  of  Jane  McCrea 
as  a  warning  to  her  of  the  great  dangers  of  being  overtaken 
by  the  enemy  if  she  does  not  turn  about.  In  reply  she  tells 
them :  "  The  General's  wife  must  not  be  afraid."  While  at 
her  home  she  receives  explicit  instructions  from  her  husband 
th.at  she  must  burn  tJieir  fields  of  ripening  grain,  that  the 
enemy  may  not  receive  any  benefit  therefrom.  She  goes  to  the 
river  flats  east  of  their  homestead,  where  hundreds  of  acres  of 
wheat  are  growing,  and  herself  applies  the  torch.  Tt  is  the 
intention  of  General  Schuyler  to  set  an  example  to  other  patriots 
along  the  route  to  .-Vlbanv.  She  also  sends  all  her  horses  for 
use  of  the  .American  arnn'.  intending"  ti^  make  use  of  oxen  to 
draw  her  back  to   the  city,  August. 

In  order  to  obtain  provisions  and  horses  to  transport  the  same, 
General  Burgoyne,  being  advised  by  his  scouts  of  the  stores 
collected  for  warfare  by  the  Americans  at  Bennington,  sends 
Lieut. -Col.  Baum  there  with  instructions  to  meet  him  again  at 
Albany,  the  better  prepared  thus  to  move  on  to  New  York, 

Aug.  II. 


No.  26.  ACRAHAM    CORN  EL  IS    CUYLER.  3OI 

1777. 

At  tliis  time  New  England,  fearing  Rurgoyne's  army  might  turn 
into  that  section  and  having  been  posted  by  Washington  that  if 
this  hai:)iKMied  the  horde  of  Indians  alHed  with  the  enemy  would 
proceed  to  terrible  slaughter,  fully  aroused  to  the  necessity  of 
answering-  Washington's  appeal  and  advice  to  lend  some  of  its 
militia  at  once,  is  gathering  reinforcements  to  co-operate  with 
Schuyler;  but  he  is  in  ignorance  of  these  facts,  -^^ig-  12. 

Lt.-Col.  St.  Leger,  who  had  l:>een  sent  from  Canada  to  go  by  way  of 
Oswego  through  the  ]\lohawk  valley  and  attack  General  Schuy- 
ler's rear  while  Burgoyne  was  engaging  the  front,  now  at  Fort 
Stanwix  (site  of  Rome),  laying  siege  to  it,  Aug.  12. 

Even  with  so  small  a  force  as  he  has  at  his  command,  opposed  by 
the  enemy  four  to  one.  General  Schuyler  is  appealed  to  by  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Mohawk  valley  to  protect  them  by  giving  up 
a  part  of  his  little  body  of  men  or  move  westward  instead  of 
engaging  Burgoyne,  and  to  the  Committee  of  Tryon  County  he 
writes:  "  I  am  sorry,  very  sorry  that  you  should  be  calling"  upon 
me  for  assistance  of  Continental  troops  when  I  have  already 
spared  you  all  I  could  ;  when  no  army  has  yet  made  its  appear- 
ance ;  when  the  militia  of  every  county  in  the  state  except  yours 
is  altogether  called  out.  For  God's  sake  do  not  forget  that  you 
are  an  over-match  for  any  force  the  enemy  can  bring  against 
you,  if  you  will  act  with  spirit.  I  have  a  large  army  to  oppose, 
and  trust  I  can  do  it  effectually,  and  prevent  their  penetrating 
to  any  distance  into  the  country.  Keep  up  your  spirits  ;  show 
no  signs  of  fear ;  act  with  vigor ;  and  you  will  not  only  serve 
your  country,  but  gain  immortal  honor."  August. 

General  Schuyler  orders  Gen.  Benedict  Arnold  to  hasten  to  the  relief 
of  Fort  Stanwix,  Aug.  13. 

General  Schuyler  sends  word  to  General  Washington  that  because 
of  the  number  of  Tories  joining  Burgoyne's  army  as  it  marches 
southward,  "  and  wdiich  will  be  doubled  if  General  Burgoyne 
reaches  Albany,  which  I  apprehend  will  be  very  soon."  he  is 
forced  to  give  way,  and  to  move  further  south,  Aug.  13. 

General  Schuyler,  despondent  to  a  degree  upon  receiving  neither 
reinforcements  nor  word  to  the  effect  that  any  will  come,  and 
finding  it  becoming  daily  more  essential  to  be  near  his  base  of 
supplies,  moves  his  small  army  along  the  highway  beside  the 
west  bank  of  the  Hudson  from  Stillwater  to  the  junction  of  that 
river  with  the  Mohawk,  and  forms  a  camp  on  both  Haver  and 
Van  Schaick  islands  in  the  Hudson,  Aug.  14. 

The  several  movements  southward  of  General  Schuyler  and  his 
army  had  now  created  the  idea  among  those  who  did  not  know 
the  reasons,  that  he  was  loath  to  meet  Burgoyne.  Aug.  15. 


302  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26_ 

1777. 

General  Schuyler  orders  a  line  of  formidable  breastworks  thrown 
up  along  the  northeastern  and  northwestern  sides  of  Haver 
island,  Chief  Engineer  Thaddeus  Kosciusko  of  the  Northern 
Army  superintending  the  work,  the  intention  being  to  defend 
the  fords  at  Half  Moon  Point  (the  site  of  Waterford)  where 
Burgoyne  would  necessarily  try  to  cross  over,  Aug.  15. 

On  August  1st  the  Congress,  giving  heed  to  those  who  had  spread 
the  opinion  that  General  Schuyler  was  not  the  proper  person  to 
have  charge  of  the  Northern  Army,  recalled  him  and  had  asked 
General  Washington  to  name  a  new  general-in-chief,  and  a 
memorial  in  the  handwriting  of  Samuel  Adams,  signed  by  all 
the  New  England  delegates,  requested  him  to  appoint  General 
Gates,  a  New  Englander,  in  Schuyler's  stead.  Washington  had 
refused  to  interfere  and  left  the  matter  at  the  disposal  of  the 
Congress,  which  on  August  5th  had  appointed  Gates,  and  he 
now  takes  command  at  Albany,  Aug.  19. 

On  General  Gates'  arrival  at  the  camp  on  Van  Schaick  island,  bear- 
ing his  commission  as  commander-in-chief,  General  Schuyler 
receives  him  with  politeness  and  gives  him  all  the  information 
in  his  power  regarding  the  enemy  and  his  army,  proffering  all 
assistance  he  may  be  able  to  render  in  any  capacity ;  but  Gates 
ignores  him  most  brusquely,  and  although  Gates  invites  every- 
body to  his  first  council  of  war,  even  sending  for  Gen.  Abraham 
Ten  Broeck,  at  Albany,  he  does  not  ask  Schuyler  to  attend, 
which  action  (later  on)  elicits  from  Gouverneur  Morris  this 
trenchant  utterance:  "The  new  commander-in-chief  of  the 
Northern  Department  may,  if  he  please,  neglect  to  ask  or  dis- 
dain to  receive  advice ;  but  those  who  know  him  will,  I  am  sure, 
be  convinced  that  he  needs  it."  Aug.  19. 

General  Burgoyne  repairing  bridges  over  the  Hudson  between  Sara- 
toga (Schuylerville)  and  Ft.  Edward,  for  his  advance  or  in 
readiness  for  a  retreat,  Aug.  20. 

General  Gates  is  helped  by  the  acquisition  of  Col.  Henry  Beekman 
Livingston's  4th  N.  Y.  Regiment  and  Col.  Philip  Van  Cort- 
landt's  2nd  N.  Y.  Regiment,  which  arrive  and  join  General 
Poor's  division  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Mohawk  at  Loudon's 
ferry ;  Gen.  Arnold  also  counted  upon  to  go  there  from  Fort 
Stanwix,  Aug.  21. 

General  Schuyler  has  a  narrow  escape  from  death  at  the  hands  of  a 
savage  while  at  his  country-place  (Schuylerville),  whither  he 
had  gone  to  gather  and  remove  his  personal  effects  ere  the 
British  approach.  The  incident  is  described  by  J.  Watts  De 
Peyster  in  these  words :     "  Before  the  mansion  was  evacuated, 


GEN.   HORATIO  GATES. 

A  New  Englander  ;  born  at  Maldon,  Eng.,  in  1728: 
appointed  by  the  Congress  major-general  commanding 
Northern  Army,  Aug.  5,  1777  ;  arrived  at  Albany,  Aug. 
IQ'  1777.  and  assumed  command  at  Van  Schaick  Island 
that  day.     Received  Burgoyne's  surrender  Oct.  17,  1777. 


No.  2.6.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUVLER.  3O3 

1777. 

however,  the  General  himself  had  a  narrow  escape  from  assas- 
sination hy  the  hand  of  a  savage,  who  had  insinuated  himself 
into  the  house  for  that  purpose.     It  was  the  hour  of  bedtime 
in  the  evening,  and  while  the  General  was  prei^aring  to  retire 
for  the  night,  that  a   female  servant,   in  coming  in   from  the 
hall,  saw  a  gleam  of  light  reflected  from  the  blade  of  a  knife 
in  the  hand  of  some  person,  whose  dark  outline  she  discerned 
behind  the  door.     The  servant  was  a  black  slave   [Meg],  who 
had  sufficient  presence  of  mind  not  to  appear  to  have  made 
the   discovery.     Passing   directly   through   the    door    into   the 
apartment  where  the  General  was  standing  near  the  fireplace, 
with  an  air  of  unconcern  she  pretended  to  arrange  such  articles 
as  were  disposed  upon  the  mantelpiece,  while  in  an  undertone 
she  informed  her  master  of  her  discovery,  and  said  aloud,  '  I 
will  call  the   guard."     The  General   instantly  seized  his  arms, 
while  the  faithful  servant  hurried  out  by  another  door  into  .i 
long  hall,   upon  the  floor  of  which   lay  a  loose  board  which 
creaked  beneath  the  tread.     By  the  noise  she  made  in  tramping 
rapidly  upon  the  board,  the  Indian — for  such  he  proved — was 
led  to  suppose  that  the  Philistines  were  upon  him  in  numbers, 
sprang  from  concealment  and  fled.     He  was  pursued,  however, 
by  the  guard  and  a  few  friendly  Indians  attached  to  the  person 
of  General  Schuyler,  overtaken  and  made  prisoner."       x-\ugust. 
Reports  reach  Lieut. -Colonel  Barry  St.  Leger.  commander  of  the 
British   army   coming  from   the   west  by  way   of   Oswego   to 
attack  Albany,  at  the  same  time  that  Burgoyne  and  Howe  form 
a  juncture  from  the  north  and  south  of  that  city,  and  who  has 
been  laying  siege  to  Fort  Stanwix  for  twenty-one  days,  that 
General  Benedict  Arnold. is  advancing  on  him  from  Albany,  and 
is  approaching  with  great  rapidity  of  forced  marches  with  his 
army  of  a  thousand  men.     Arnold  had  taken  particular  pains 
that  rumors  of  his  coming  in  great  haste  should  reach  the  ears 
of  St.  Leger,  and  these  had  the  desired  effect   just  at  a  time 
when  his  forces  were  becoming  almost  unmanagealile.     On  the 
20th,  he  had  reached  Fort  Dayton,  his  army  increasing  in  size  as 
he  marches  through  the  ^lohawk  valley  by  the  American  patri- 
ots dropping  their  work  of  harvesting  and  joining  the  ranks  of 
the  army  moving  westward  to  relieve  Fort  Stanwix.     St.  Leger, 
too  scared  to  maintain  liis  position,  although  Arnold   still  at 
Utica,  raises  the  siege  and  flees  with  his  army  in  a  retreat  to 
Oswego,   his   Indian   allies   treacherously  looting  his   baggage 
train  and  scalping  both  the  American  prisoners  and  the  laggards 
of  St.  Leger's  frightened  army,  Aug.  22. 


304  ABRAHAM    CORXELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 

177  7. 

General  Gates  writes  to  Washington  in  full  regarding  conditions  and 
plans  for  meeting  Burgoyne,  from  his  newly  established  head- 
quarters in  Van  Schaick's  homestead  on  Van  Schaick  island,  in 
which  letter  he  says  there  is  a  brigade  at  Loudon's  Ferry,  a 
brigade  under  General  Lincoln  with  General  Stark's  forces  at 
Bennington,  and  a  brigade  under  General  Arnold  helping  to 
raise  the  siege  of  Fort  Stanwix,  and  he  thanks  him  for  propos- 
ing to  send  Col.  Daniel  Morgan's  rifle  corps  to  him,  as  it  is  the 
most  skilled  in  the  country,  Aug.  22. 

General  Gates  has  by  this  time  acquired  an  army  of  about  6,000  men, 
forces  that  were  gathering  while  Schuyler  was  in  command, 
arriving  now  in  numbers,  Sept.  i. 

The  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York  convenes  at  Kingston, 
the  Assembly  holding  its  inaugural  session,  Sept.  i. 

General  Gates,  believing  he  has  a  force  sufficiently  powerful  to  meet 
General  Burgoyne,  advances  northward  from  the  island  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Mohawk  to  Stillwater,  and  begins  throwing  up 
intrenchments  there,  Sept.  8. 

State  Senate  first  convenes,  holding  its  session  at  Kingston, 

Sept,  9. 

Kosciusko,  having  discovered  a  superior  place  for  a  position  of 
defence  to  the  north,  Gates  moves  to  Bemis  Heights,  known 
as  Saratoga  at  this  time,  although  hardly  a  farmhouse  to  each 
square  mile  for  the  next  ten  miles  northward  along  the  wesr 
shore  of  the  Hudson  river.  The  army  begins  intrenching  itself. 
Gates'  right  flank  on  the  river  near  Bemis'  Tavern,  and  the  left 
on  the  high  ground  to  the  west,  Sept.  12. 

Not  only  does  Gates  fortify  his  position  by  erecting  breastworks  and 
very  strong  batteries ;  but  his  position  is  more  impregnable  by 
reason  of  the  virgin  forest  about  him,  the  high  ground  and  the 
ravines.  The  intrenchment  that  he  orders  under  Kosciusko's 
survey  and  advice  runs  from  Bemis'  Tavern  at  the  west  shore 
of  the  Hudson,  all  the  way  to  the  top  of  the  hills.  At  the 
former  terminal  he  places  a  battery,  and  throws  a  floating  bridge 
across  the  river,  which  he  also  defends  at  its  landing  on  the 
east  bank,  Sept.  13. 

General  Burgoyne's  army  (but  not  himself)  on  Saturday  morning, 
crosses  the  Hudson  river  from  the  east  to  the  west  shore,  just 
north  of  where  the  Battenkill  creek  flows  into  it  from  the  east, 
intending  to  march  down  the  highway  along  the  western  shore, 
and  makes  thus  his  first  direct  move  into  the  vicinity  of  the  scene 
where  is  to  occur  his  fierce  conflict,  siege,  final  struggle  and  sur- 
render.    This  fording  place  was  to  the  north  of  the  Battenkill's 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  305 


1777. 


mouth  and  about  three  miles  to  the  north  of  where  in  Saratoga 
(later  Schuylerville )  he  is  shortly  to  yield  to  the  Americans.    In 
crossing-  over.  General  Fraser  leads.  Colonel  Breyman  following 
closely  in  order  to  cover  the  left  wing.     Long  impatient  to  hear 
from  General   Howe  as  to  the  probability  of  his  being  able  to 
make  a  successful  juncture  with  him  at  Albany,  Burgoyne  re- 
ceives the  first  message  from  his  co-patriots  far  to  the  south. 
Howe   writing  that  he   is  on   the   Delaware ;  but  the   dispatch 
"  makes  no  reference  to  a  meeting  of  their  forces,  and  Burgoyne 
wonders  whether  the  home  government  has  duped  or  deserted 
him  by  not  carrying  out  the  original  scheme  when  he  was  sent 
on  the  campaign.       Burgoyne   was   now   in  a  densely  wooded 
region,  the  only  place  where  one  may  see  any  distance  being  the 
river,  and  fearful  lest  at  any  moment  the  next  mile  might  bring 
him  face  to  face  with  his  foe.    While  he  could  hear  the  morning 
drum  beat,  yet  he  gained  no  idea  of  how  many  there  are  to 
oppose  his  march,  or  where  the  enemy  is  located.     The  Ameri- 
cans are  not  in  such  ignorance.     They  have  a  valiant  watchout, 
a   Mr.  Willard,  on  the  crest  of  the  highest  hill  of  the  range 
paralleling  the  east  shore  of  the  Hudson,  and  he  signals  every 
movement  of  the  British  army  to  the  American  camp  directly 
opposite,  on  the  flats  and  heights  of  the  west  side.        Sept.  13. 
Generals  Burgoyne  and  Phillips  cross  from  the  east  to  the  west  shore 
of  the  Hudson  with  the  artillery  train,  Burgoyne  by  the  pontoon 
bridge   and  the    20th    Regiment    fording   below    the   rapids   to 
relieve  crowding  of  the  bridge.     This  bridge  was  constructed 
upon  rude  boats  or  scows,  and  being  at  a  narrow  part  of  the 
river  was  only  425  feet  long.     Fraser  had  made  a  cut  through 
the  west  bank  to  facilitate  the  army's  ascent,  and  also  excavated 
a  roadway  down  the  east  bank  (on  property  in  1906  of  John  A. 
Dix,  Esq.,  and  still  showing)  which  he  protected  with  breast- 
works, a  battery  behind  it.     Burgoyne  recognizes  the  danger  of 
camping  at  night  on  the  wooded  hills  of  the  west  bank  befoie 
his  cente;r  crosses,  and  he  inspects  the  heights,  to  plan  where 
to  post  divisions  in  case  of  attack.     xA.t  night  the  advance  wing 
encamps  on  the  western  heights  in  battle  order  of  three  columns, 
and  Burgoyne  niakes  iiis  quarters  at  the  Schuyler  homestead, 
about  two  miles  further  south.    This  mansion  is  a  broad  wooden 
house  with  high  colunms.  and  is  but  a  few  hundred  feet  west 
of  the  Hudson.     Apast  its  northern  end,  not  more  than  a  hundred 
feet  distant,  runs  Fish  Creek  on  its  way  to  the  river,  and  some 
hundred  feet  up  this  creek  General  Schuyler  has  his  mills.     This 
creek  has  its  source  in  the  eastern  end  of  Saratoga  Lake,  twelve 


306  xVBRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 

1777. 

miles  to  the  west.  It  is  so  shallow  below  the  dam,  and  near 
Schuyler's  house,  that  it  is  there  a  point  selected  for  fording" 
except  at  times  of  freshet.  About  the  house  are  great  elms 
and  wild  woods,  almost  sheltered  to  view  from  the  highway  two 
hundred  feet  from  its  western  front.  Many  notable  guests  had 
he  entertained  there,  and  it  was  well  provided  with  handsome 
mahogany  furniture  of  the  period.  Not  far  to  the  east  is  a  lower 
level  of  ground,  known  as  the  flat,  where  he  raises  wheat,  corn 
and  provender.  It  was  particularly  productive  because  the 
spring-  freshets  deposited  annually  a  mass  of  rich  soil,  in  fact 
the  flats  were  but  an  accumulation  of  alluvial  richness,  Sept.  14. 

General  Gates  makes  use  of  the  Neilson  farm  and  the  farmhouse  on 
a  knoll  about  a  mile  west  of  the  river,  constituting  it  the  north- 
west angle  for  his  encampment.  He  throws  up  thick  earth- 
works about  the  barn,  to  which  he  applies  a  double  lining  of 
logs,  and  he  names  the  place  Fort  Neilson,  Sept.  14. 

General  Riedesel,  in  command  of  the  German  troops,  crosses  the 
river  with  his  left  wing,  whereupon  Burgoyne  gives  an  exhibi- 
tion of  his  determination  to  win  a  victory,  or  rather  displays  his 
ov/n  convictions,  by  breaking  up  the  pontoon  bridge  over  which 
his  army  had  been  passing  for  three  days.  These  Germans,  in 
the  end,  prove  themselves  stubborn  fighters,  although  they  were 
properly  termed  hirelings,  having  been  secured  by  German 
princes  who,  in  need  of  money,  had  collected  them  for  England 
at  so  much  a  head.  England  had  first  tried  to  hire  Russians, 
George  III.  having  applied  to  Catherine  II.,  Empress  of  Russia; 
but  she  made  a  flat  refusal  to  the  nefarious  bargain  he  would 
make  with  her.  It  is  said  that  all  Europe  cried  "  For  shame !'' 
when  the  Hessians  were  secured  from  their  masters  of  Hesse- 
Cassel  at  a  bounty  of  an  equivalent  of  $32.50  per  head ;  Freder- 
ick the  Great  of  Prussia  gave  contemptuous  utterance,  and  the 
Americans  heartily  detested  these  pay-men,  or  soldiers  hired 
to  shoot  them.  Burgoyne's  advance-guard  fords  Fish  Creek 
(sometimes  called  Fish  Kill)  and  starts  southward  on  its  search 
for  the  Americans.  Strange  to  say,  he  employs  no  scouts  at 
this  time,  and  penetrating  the  wilderness  of  forests  stands  w 
chance  of  being  entrapped.  His  army  proceeds  in  three 
columns,  the  artillery  and  camp  baggage  using  the  highway ; 
the  right  wing  penetrating  the  woods  half  a  mile  up  the  hill- 
side, and  the  left  wing  progressing  along  the  river  flats  half  a 
mile  east  of  the  center  column.  Keeping  abreast  of  the  army 
ashore,  the  batteaux,  loaded  with  supplies,  float  down  the  river. 
These  movements  are  all  observed  by  the  keen  eyes  of  Willard, 


DOVEGAT  HOUSE. 

Burgoyne  made  it  his  headquarters  previous  to  the  Bemis  Heights  Battle  of  Sept.  19, 
1777.  It  stood  two  miles  south  of  Schuylerville;  but  about  1890  was  torn  down  lest  tramps 
burn  it. 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORXKLIS    CUVLI:R.  2P7 

stationed  on  the  high  hill  across  the  Hudson,  who  signals  to 
the  American  army  at  its  encampment  on  Bemis  Heights,  only 
a  few  miles  south  of  where  Burgoyne's  entire  army  is  marching. 
Reaching-  Dovegat  (written  Dovegot  by  Burgoyne  and  others 
of  the  time ;  duivenkot,  Dutch  for  dove-cote ;  called  Coveville  in 
1906),  Burgoyne  halts  his  army,  using  the  Sword's  one-story 
wooden  farm-house  for  his  own  resting-place,  while  his  army 
-  pitches  tents  on  the  low  hills  to  the  west  of  it.  (  This  house  was 
standing  in  1888,  in  good  condition;  but  some  time  previous  to 
1900  it  was  removed  —  an  act  of  historic  vandalism  — because 
it  was  ramshackle  and  harbored  tramps  who  were  likely  to  set 
a  newer  building,  near  it,  afire.  It  was  about  tvv'o  miles  south 
of  the  present  Schuylerville  and  close  to  the  Champlain  canal, 
on  the  property  of  Charles  H.  Searles,  just  west  of  the  southern 
abutment  of  his  canal  bridge,  the  canal  here  running  east  and 
west.)  Sept.  15. 

General  Gates  is  now  commanding  the  right  or  eastern  flank  of  the 
American  army  and  using  Bemis'  Tavern  as  his  headquarters. 
Gen.  Benedict  Arnold  is  in  command  of  the  left  or  western 
wung,  over  Generals  Alorgan  and  Poor,  and  using  the  Neilson 
farm-house  or  fort   (standing  in   1906)    for  headquarters, 

Sept.  15. 

Burgoyne's  army  remains  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Dovegat  house 
while  he  conducts  several  regiments  to  protect  about  two  hun- 
dred workmen  who  go  out  to  repair  bridges,  and  he  also  tries 
to  discover  the  locality  of  the  enemy.  They  proceed  about  three 
miles,  or  to  a  point  about  five  miles  to  the  south  of  Fish  Creek 
(south  end  of  Schuylerville),  and  when  there  hear  to  the  south 
of  them  the  beating  of  drums,  Sept.  16. 

The  entire  British  army  is  now  encamped  in  regulation  order  at  the 
Sword's  farm.  Dovegat,  when  they  are  fired  on  by  the  Ameri- 
cans, quite  a  few  being  killed  and  about  twenty  soldiers  carried 
ofif  as  prisoners,  Sept.  17. 

Burgoyne  had  often  wondered  why  General  Howe  had  not,  long 
before  this,  shown  some  sign  of  co-operation  with  his  own 
movements.  He  had  accepted  the  proposition  to  assume  charge 
of  the  campaign  proceeding  south  from  Canada,  when  he  was 
in  England,  on  the  condition  that  either  Howe  or  another  equally 
valorotis  general  should  be  given  explicit  orders  to  progress 
northward  from  New  York  and  form  a  combined  attack  at 
Albany  from  above  and  below,  that  place  having  been  regarded 
as  the  strongest  fortified  place  to  be  encountered  and  the  most 
obstructive  locality  to  the  British  hopes  of  possessing  free  pas- 


30S  ABRAHAM    CORXELIS    Cl'YLER.  No.  26. 


1777. 


sage  up  the  entire  valleys  of  the  Hudson  and  the  Mohawk,  for 
from  there  they  wished  to  direct  their  armies  westward  as  far 
as  Niagara,  northward  to  hold  complete  possession  to  the  St. 
Lawrence,  and  from  there  to  start  eastward  through  the  Xew 
England  states  to  subjugate  the  hotbed  of  American  patriotism. 
Burgoyne  had  felt  that  he  was  carrying  out  the  scheme  not  only 
to  the  best  of  his  abilities,  but  with  great  success.  He  was 
accomplishing  all  that  he  had  set  out  to  do  and  was  within  forty 
miles  of  Albany,  positive,  as  he  told  his  men,  that  they  should 
eat  their  Christmas  dinner  at  Albany.  But  whenever  he  heard 
from  Howe  or  learned  about  his  movements  he  was  always 
leading  his  men  in  other  directions,  into  other  colonies,  in  fact 
mostly  in  an  opposite  direction.  All  this  is  because  Howe,  un- 
like Burgoyne,  did  not  receive  absolute  orders.  They  were 
written,  but  not  sent  from  England,  and  he  assumed  the  posi- 
tion that  he  was  practically  free  to  carry  out  plans  as  he  saw 
best  at  the  time.  Lord  George  Germaine,  the  colonial  secretary, 
at  London,  had  stopped  at  his  office  one  day  when  orders  were 
prepared  for  his  signature,  to  be  sent  to  Burgoyne  and  Howe. 
The  manner  in  which  the  papers  for  Howe  were  written  did 
not  suit  his  fancy,  and  giving  directions  to  have  the  set  for 
Howe  recopied,  he  had  driven  off  to  a  social  function.  The  next 
day  they  were  forgotten  and  pigeon-holed  by  mistake,  not  to 
turn  up  until  the  matter  of  .Vmerican  independence  was  finally 
settled.  Free  to  act,  General  Howe  had  sent  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
to  the  north  with  a  portion  of  the  troops,  while  he  turned  south 
to  the  Delaware,  and  Burgoyne  received  little  or  no  attention,  at 
least  not  what  he  had  been  led  to  expect  at  the  start,       Sept.  i8. 

Albany  Aldermen  order  lead  taken  from  all  windows,  Sept.  i8. 

The  Americans  are  anxious  to  learn  the  number  of  the  enemy,  so 
Lieut. -Colonel  Colburn  (New  Hampshire)  goes  out  v/ith  a 
scouting  party,  and  crossing  to  the  east  bank  of  the  Hudson, 
they  climb  trees  to  gain  a  view  of  Burgoyne's  camp.  They  esti- 
mate its  largeness  as  some  eight  hundred  tents,  and  perceive 
much  action  in  the  neighborhood,  which  they  interpret  to  indi- 
cate preparations  for  an  advance.  When  Gates  learns  these 
facts  he  likewise  makes  ready  for  a  battle.  Burgoyne  arranges 
his  army  in  three  columns,  General  Eraser  commanding  the 
right,  furthest  from  the  river;  Burgoyne  in  charge  of  the  cen- 
ter with  the  9th,  20th.  2 1  St  and  62nd  Regiments,  Canadians  and 
Indians.  Generals  Riedesel  and  Phillips  were  to  march  south, 
as  the  left  wing,  by  the  river  road,  to  within  half  a  mile  of  the 
Americans.     At  11  a.  m.,  Burgoyne  advances  towards  Gates' 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  3^9 


1777. 


line  on  Bemis  Heights.'    The  intention  of  Gates,  being  a,ii-.rised 
of  the  British  plans  by  sconts,  is  to  keep  his  army  inside  his 
fortifications;  but  Arnold  perfectly  construes  the  plan  of  the 
enemy  to  form  a  juncture  of  its  forces  at  the  Aliddle  ravine,  and 
urges  Gates  to  allow  him  to  go  out  and  engage   the  enemy 
before  it  could  reach  their  camp  with  the  artillery,  explaining 
that  then,  if  driven  back,  they  could  rally  at  the  breastworks  of 
the  fortified  position,  whereas  if  they  were  unsuccessful  in  the 
first  encounter  and  were  overpowered  by  numbers  and  arma- 
ment they  would  be  forced  to  flee  pell-mell  down  the  river  road 
to  Albany.   Gates  yields  finally  to  the  extent  of  allowing  General 
Morgan,  and  later  General  Dearborn,  to  go  out  with  their  ex- 
pert "^riflemen.     Burgoyne  had  been  hampered  at  the  start  by 
having  to  make  a  bridge  and  clearing  the  road  of  obstructions, 
and  itls  12  130  p.m.  when  Morgan  and  Dearborn  meet  his  Indians 
under  Major  Forbes,  as  a  scouting  party  near  the   Freeman 
farm-house.      The    conflict    between    Americans    and    P^ritish, 
Gates  pitted  against  lUirgoyne,  begins.     The  Americans  sufl:'er 
a  terrible  loss,  but  Morgan's  men  pursue  until  they  are  in  con- 
tact with  the  main  body,  when  he  again  suffers  severely.    Never- 
theless he  rallies  his  men  with  the  "  turkey-call  "  whistle.     He 
is  reinforced  by  regiments  under  Cilley  and  Scammel.  and  at 
one  o'clock  they  attack  unitedly.     Burgoyne  forms  his  line  of 
battle  at  the  north  side  of  Isaac  Freeman's  farm,  a  clearing  of 
about  fifteen  acres,  all  the  rest  being  dense  woods.      General 
Fraser  was  leading  Burgoyne's  right  wing,  to  the  west  of  the 
farm,  at  the  start  Tbut  wheels  with  the  purpose  of  flanking  Mor- 
gan at  the  left,  when  suddenly  he  finds  Arnold  in  the  Middle 
ravine  with  New  York  and  New  Hampshire  regiments,  who 
had  set  out  to  separate  him  from  the  rest  of  Burgoyne's  army. 
It  is  now,  4.  o'clock,  that  the  action  of  the  day  is  becommg 
general  and  'furious.     Fraser,  for  the  British,  was  the  courage- 
ous, inspiring  spirit,  and  Arnold  was  the  same.— intrepid,  en- 
thusiastic and   encouraging  —  on  the   American   side.      These 
indomitable  leaders,  each  anxious  in  the  face  of  death  to  be 
the  victor,  are  now  pitted  against  each  other.     Neither  gives 
thought  to  personal  safety,  and  each  gallops  hither  and  thither 
up  and  down  the  field  issuing  orders  in  a  ringing  voice,  while 
exhorting  the  various  bodies  as  they  rush  apast  on  horseback. 
At  5  o'clock  Burgovne's  army  is  in  mortal  peril ;  but  the  Ger- 
man grenadiers  under  Colonel  Breyman  force  Arnold's  troops 
back.""  One  moment  the  Americans  rush  after  the  British,  and 
almost  the  next  thev  meet  with  an  assault  at  the  point  of  the 


3IO 


ABRAHAM    CORXELIS    CUVLER.  No.  26. 


1777. 


bayonet  that  hurls  them  back,  to  sweep  across  the  field  to  a 
point  of  safety,  the  British  after  them.  ^Morgan's  sharpshooters, 
scattered  all  over  in  the  branches  of  trees,  take  steady  aim  in 
their  unnoticed  vantage  points,  and  pick  off  numbers  of  British 
officers,  doing  valorous  work  throughout  the  afternoon. 
Finally,  as  dusk  sets  in,  Riedesel  hastens  upon  the  scene  from 
where  he  had  been  busy  down  by  the  river,  and  strikes  the 
Americans'  right  a  bad  blow  with  his  German  or  Hessian  troop- 
ers, and  has  the  hardihood  to  post  Pausch's  battery  to  the  south 
of  the  Freeman  farm-house.  The  Americans  withdraw,  and 
had  not  Burgoyne  ordered  the  fight  to  cease,  Riedesel  and  Fra- 
ser  might  have  accomplished  a  victory  for  the  British ;  but  as 
it  is,  both  sides  claim  a  victory.  So  deadly  had  been  the  after- 
noon's work  that  the  Americans  lost  ten  per  cent,  of  those  par- 
ticipating, or  319  men  either  killed  or  badly  wounded.  But 
this  was  not  so  poor  a  record  as  the  British  made.  Their  loss 
was  600  men,  or  twenty  per  cent,  of  those  engaged,  and  to  illus- 
trate it  more  forcibly  it  may  be  noted  that  of  the  500  men  in 
the  62nd  British  regiment  only  60  reported,  Sept.  19. 

The  British,  down  the  Hudson  below  Albany,  take  the  river  forts, 
and  clearing  away  the  log  boom  and  mammoth  iron  chain 
stretched  across  the  river  in  April,  their  vessels  sail  into  New- 
burgh  Bay,  Sept.  19. 

Burgoyne,  immediately  after  the  battle's  close  on  the  previous  day, 
had  planned  to  keep  the  fighting  continuous,  and  at  night  had 
sent  orders  for  a  renewal  of  hostilities  at  daybreak.  As  a  result 
rations  are  served  in  early  morning  light.  The  unusually  heavy 
fog  rolling  up  from  river  and  creek  does  not  lift  at  the  time  the 
troops  had  previously  been  ordered  to  march,  and  they  are  told 
to  wait  until  they  will  be  able  to  see  the  enemy  at  half  a  mile's 
distance.  General  Fraser  suggests  that  the  men  be  allowed  to 
rest  and  that  they  be  given  the  entire  day  for  the  purpose.  Had 
Burgoyne  known  that  the  Americans  had  very  nearly  exhausted 
their  ammunition  the  day  before  and  were  counting  on  Mr.  Van 
Rensselaer  moulding  the  lead  into  bullets,  that  the  inhabitants 
of  Albany  had  been  ordered  by  the  Council  to  obtain  by  remov- 
ing the  lead  from  the  windows,  and  which  General  .Schuyler 
was  so  busy  shipping  to  the  front,  box  by  box,  as  rapidly  as 
the  lead  is  cast,  the  l]ritish  general  could  have  ordered  his  men 
to  attack  the  forces  of  Gates  with  full  impunity,  and  readily 
have  driven  them  from  their  camp,  possibly  all  the  way  to 
Albany.  Burgoyne,  therefore,  consents  to  rest  the  men  for 
that  day,  to  allow  repairs,  and  to  succor  the  wounded  as  well  as 


BEMIS  HEIGHTS  BATTLE  WELL. 

To  this  well  on  the  Freeman  farm  of  Bemis  Heights  the  wounded  crawled  by  scores  to 
slack  their  death  thirst  after  the  great  battle  of  Sept.  19,  1777,  and  next  day  a  mass  of  corpses 
was  found  there.     This  spring  still  in  use  in  1906. 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  3II 


1777. 


to  bury  the  dead.  Gates  had  been  advised  by  a  spy  about  the 
early  morning  orders  of  Burgoyne,  and  is  all  the  forenoon  in 
mortal  dread  lest  the  British  appear ;  but  to  his  surprise  none 
of  the  regiments  comes  his  way.  The  day  is  spent  in  burying 
the  dead,  almost  a  thousand  interments  taking  place  before 
sunset.  Alost  of  the  killed  have  to  be  placed  in  shallow  trenches, 
and  about  all  are  left  even  without  markers.  A  large  propor- 
■  tion  of  the  dead  is  found  near  a  well  or  spring  on  the  Freeman 
farm.  This  was  because  the  wounded  soldier  in  his  death  thirst, 
caused  by  the  loss  of  blood,  had  crawled  to  this  spot  to  allay 
his  thirst,  a  pit  of  cold  w^ater  bubbling  in  the  field  where  they 
had  fought  so  valiantly.  Some  are  found  at  the  brink,  where 
they  had  supped  and  breathed  their  last ;  others  had  crawled 
that  far  and  in  order  to  reach  the  water  had  dragged  them- 
selves over  the  dead  bodies  of  their  comrades,  when  they,  too, 
had  succumbed,  unable  to  move  away.  In  fact  there  are  about 
a  score  in  the  space  of  a  few  yards,  and  others  sprawled  in 
that  direction,  the  cold,  stiffened  hand  grasping  shrubs  or 
clutching  the  grass,  in  dragging  themselves  along,  the  inference 
being  that  one  and  all  in  this  vicinity  had  been  intent  upon 
quenching  an  inexpressible  thirst  by  gaining  the  Freeman  well. 
(This  spring  was  used  for  farm  purposes  then  and  was  to  be 
seen  in  1906.)  Despite  the  covering  of  the  bodies  with  earth, 
the  hungry  wolves  scent  their  prey,  and  come  out  in  numbers 
from  the  wilderness  woods  at  night,  Sept.  20. 

Burgoyne  receives  a  message  sent  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  telling  him 
that  he  is  prepared  to  leave  New  York  and  ascend  the  Hudson, 
capture  Albany  and  come  directly  to  his  aid.  Of  course  this 
had  been  written  a  week  or  ten  days  previous,  the  British  army 
being  some  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles  north  of  New  York 
city.  Consequent  upon  this  despatch  he  decides  to  take  no 
initiative  in  the  fighting;  but  is  resolved  to  wait  in  camp  until 
Gates  is  forced  by  Clinton's  attack  to  lessen  his  army  by 
dispatching  a  goodly  portion  of  his  troops  to  succor  Albany, 

Sept.  21. 

Burgoyne,  counting  upon  Washington  ordering  the  Americans 
southward,  for  the  British  coming  up  the  Hudson  are  burning 
dwellings,  barns  and  fall  crops  that  no  one  had  dared  to  harvest, 
spends  his  time  in  improving  the  strength  of  his  fortifications 
on  Prospect  Hill,  north  of  Fish  Creek,  half  a  mile  at  the  most. 
He  also  occupies  now  a  part  of  the  Freeman  farm.  To  the 
northwest  of  the  farm-house,  not  more  than  sixty  rods,  he  con- 
structs a  strong  redoubt.     Fifteen  rods  north  of  that  house  he 


312 


ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  25. 


1777. 


builds  another.  Only  a  few  rods  southwest  of  the  battle  well 
on  the  Freeman  farm  he  erects  the  Great  Redoubt.  He  believes 
his  position  well-nigh  impregnable,  Sept.  22. 

More  redoubts  are  constructed  by  Burgoyne.  He  does  his  best  to 
make  his  camp  hard  to  reach  from  the  south,  where  are  the 
Americans.  Having  fortified  the  southwest  angle' of  his  camp, 
he  turns  his  attention  to  the  southeast  and  builds  smaller  re- 
doubts, connected  by  intrenchments  running  eastward  to  the 
bluff  on  the  west  shore  of  the  Hudson.  Some  of  these  are 
made  by  filling"  earth  between  parallel  tiers  of  rails  held  upright 
by  posts  driven  into  the  ground.  The  three  hills  north  of  Wil- 
bur's Basin  also  receive  redoubts.  His  hospital  and  magazines 
he  places  on  the  flats,  and  he  extends  a  pontoon,  bridge  across 
the  river  at  Wilbur's  Basin  for  the  benefit  of  foraging  parties. 
The  northern  limits  of  his  camp  he  also  protects,  causing  a  line 
of  breastworks  to  be  constructed,  Sept.  23. 

Wolves,  in  enormous  packs,  had  been  attracted  by  the  scent  of  the 
innumerable  dead,  and  congregate  at  the  battlefield  so  that  even 
the  soldier  feared  life  at  such  a  place.  Sometimes  they  prowl 
near  the  camp  at  night.  Their  howls,  fighting  over  corpses, 
send  thrills  through  the  trooper  as  he  tries  to  sleep,  for  he 
knows  it  may  be  his  turn  to  be  their  food  before  another  sunset. 
They  sleep  in  their  clothes,  ready  for  a  summons  at  any  moment. 
Altogether  they  wish  they  were  away  from  the  place,     Sept.  24. 

At  this  time  the  armies  are  so  closely  encamped  that  orders  given  by 
the  officers  in  one  are  heard  distinctly  at  the  other.  Occasionally 
a  soldier  may  exchange  words  or  call  names  to  another.  Only 
a  dense  woods  makes  them  seem  apart.  The  pickets  of  each 
are  continuously  being  shot  at  by  those  serving  the  enemy  in 
the  same  capacity,  and  one  hardly  dares  to  depart  from  the 
protected  encampments  for  water  or  to  gather  food,      Sept.  25. 

The  British  army's  position  at  this  time  is  laid  out  with  Riedesel 
and  his  German  troops  on  the  level  above  the  river,  with  some 
companies  below  on  the  river  flats  to  guard  the  hospital.  Fraser 
is  to  the  west  with  the  right  wing,  with  Colonel  Breyman  at 
the  redoubt  to  the  extreme  right,  and  the  Indians  protected  by 
the  breastworks,  Sept.  26. 

All  the  American  officers  had  noticed  that  following  the  battle  of 
the  19th,  when  Arnold  by  his  exploit  was  considerably  praised 
by  the  men  in  common,  he  had  been  shown  a  decided  coolness 
by  Gates,  and  this  has  developed  into  open  rupture  by  Gates 
relieving  him  of  his  command.  No  mention  had  been  made  of 
Arnold  by  Gates  in  his  report  of  the  fight  to  the  Congress, 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNKLIS    TUYLER.  313 

1777. 


although  the  former  had  rendered  the  most  valiant  service  in 
rallying  the  forces  when  the  tide  was  turning  in  marked  favor 
of  the  British.  Some  suppose  the  slight  was  the  outcome  of 
jealousy  because  Arnold  in  his  C(nn-ageous  work  in  the  north 
had  received  the  admiration  of  Schuyler,  and  that  Gates  was 
acting  thus  toward  Arnold  because  a  friend  of  Schuyler,  Sept.  27. 

In  the  early  evening  Burgoyne  calls  a  council  of  his  officers,  stating 
to  them  at  the  conference  that  he  has  provisions  for  but  sixteen 
days,  and  no  news  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  tell  whether  he 
was  making  progress  on  the  lower  Hudson.  He  is  in  ignorance 
that  General  Howe  had  succeeded  at  Germantown,  and  that  the 
Americans  along  the  river's  two  banks  were  fleeing  in  alarm, 
northward  to  Albany  for  safety.  General  Riedesel  advises  a 
hurried  retreat,  falling  back  to  Lake  George,  by  abandoning  the 
artillery  and  avoiding  Fort  Edward,  pass  up  to  the  west  of  the 
lake.  General  Fraser  is  opposed  to  retreating,  as  it  is  his 
nature  to  fight  and  to  battle  courageously  on  every  opportunity 
ofifering,  although  he  sees  the  wisdom  of  what  Riedesel  sug- 
gests, while  General  Phillips  ventures  no  suggestion.  Burgoyne 
does  not  look  with  favor  on  a  retreat.  He  had  come  to  con- 
quer, he  had  much  to  expect  by  returning  victor  to  England, 
and  he  had  uttered  the  famous  remark  that  the  British  army 
never  retreats.  He  therefore  decides  upon  a  reconnoitre  in 
force  in  order  to  perceive  whether  there  is  an  elevation  to  the 
west  of  General  Gates  from  which  to  gain  a  vantage  ground 
for  a  conflict,  and  if  unsuccessful  order  a  retreat,  Oct.  5. 

The  Assembly  having  suddenly  adjourned  at  Kingston,  Oct.  ist, 
fearing  approach  of  enemy,  the  Senate  speedily  does  the  same, 

Oct.  7. 

General  Burgoyne  stands  committed  to  make  a  determined  fight 
before  considering  a  retreat  to  the  north,  and  the  most  critical 
day  of  the  campaign  opens.  Everything  is  bustle  in  both 
camps, —  Burgoyne's  troops  making  active  preparations  to  en- 
gage the  enemy ;  Gates  learning  of  the  intentions  of  the  British 
and  making  ready  to  receive  an  assault.  At  10  o'clock,  1,500 
of  the  most  expert  troopers  under  Burgoyne,  led  by  four  ex- 
perienced generals,  taking  two  12-pounders,  six  6-pounders  and 
two  howitzers,  the  skirmishing  van  composed  of  Canadian 
rangers  and  Indian  allies,  move  in  three  columns  toward  the 
west  wing  or  the  left  of  the  American  position  on  Bemis 
Heights,  the  locality  being  a  wheat-field,  where  they  attempt 
to  cut  forage.  Burgoyne  is  accompanied  by  Generals  Fraser, 
Riedesel  and  Phillips  in  his  reconnaissance.  They  proceed  two- 
thirds  of  a  mile  to  the  southwest,  and  deploy  in  the  clearing 


314 


ABRAHAM    CORXELIS    CUYLKR.  No.  26. 

1777. 

of  the  farm,  where  they  seat  themselves  while  Eraser's  brigade 
forages  in  the  wheat.  They  are  on  a  slope  bordering  Middle 
Ravine  on  the  north,  and  the  highway  connecting  Bemis 
Heights  with  Quaker  Springs,  further  west,  runs  through  the 
British  position  to  the  left  of  the  center.  The  Earl  of  Balcarras 
is  stationed  with  the  light  infantry  on  the  right;  the  Hessians, 
under  Riedesel,  and  a  battery  of  two  6-pounders,  under  Pausch, 
at  the  center;  Majors  Ackland  and  Williams,  with  artillery  and 
grenadiers,  on  the  left.  General  Eraser  had  already  been  sent 
out  with  a  force  of  five  hundred  grenadiers  to  a  high  piece  of 
ground  with  the  hope  of  stealing  to  the  left  of  the  Americans, 
so  as  to  engage  the  enemy  while  the  British  managed  to  gain  a 
vantage  point  of  slight  elevation  west  of  the  American  position, 
and  several  officers  climb  to  the  top  of  a  roof  to  observe  the 
lay-out  of  the  enemy's  camp  with  spy-glasses.  The  British  ad- 
vance is  announced  at  the  American  headquarters  and  Gates, 
taking  it  to  mean  that  the  British  offer  battle,  asks  of  Colonel 
Wilkinson,  his  aide,  "What  would  you  suggest?"  To  this 
query  of  moment  the  latter  replies,  "  I  would  indulge  him." 
Gates  then  tells  him,  "'  Order  out  Morgan  and  begin  the  game.'  " 
General  Morgan  and  his  \^irginia  sharpshooters  are  the  pick  of 
the  Americans.  They  had  an  excellent  record,  and  had  been 
sent  north  by  Washington  on  purpose  to  insure  success  to  a 
faltering  and  critical  cause.  Morgan  is  told  to  circuit  to  the 
west  and  strike  at  the  enemy's  flank,  being  allowed  time  to 
reach  the  location,  and  while  General  Poor  and  his  brigade  are 
assailing  the  left  flank,  Dearborn's  rifles  and  Learned's  brigades 
are  to  engage  the  center.  At  2 130  o'clock,  General  Poor,  with 
New  York  and  New  Hampshire  troops,  moves  steadily  through 
the  woods  in  the  direction  of  the  British  left.  When  prepared, 
the  Americans  dash  forward,  open  fire  right  and  left,  flank  the 
enemy,  and  blast  him  with  a  deadly  fire,  closing  and  grappling 
hand  to  hand,  in  this  manner  five  or  six  times  in  the  first  hour 
taking  and  retaking  a  single  cannon.  The  A^irginians  rush  im- 
petuously, seemingly  careless  of  life ;  but  wnthal  acting  with 
preciseness,  as  those  realize  who  receive  their  deadly  aim,  and 
the  British  right  wavers.  A  great  struggle  takes  place  near 
Williams'  battery,  and  six  times  one  of  his  12-pounders  is  cap- 
tured and  retaken;  but  Major  Williams  is  at  last  made  prisoner, 
and  Major  Ackland  is  badly  wounded.  This  disaster  creates  a 
panic  among  the  grenadiers  of  the  British,  who,  with  leaders 
lost  to  them,  turn  and  flee.  Colonel  Cilley  leaps  upon  a  British 
cannon  and  proclaiming  it  dedicated  to  the  cause  of  patriotism. 


^^mr^ 


FORT  NEILSON. 

In  this  building,  standing  in  iqo6,  south  of  Schuylerville,  Gen.  Gates  jealously 
held  Gen.  Arnold  back  "  lest  he  do  something  rash  "  ;  but  Arnold  heard  the  roar  of 
cannon,  mounted  his  charger  and  dashed  out  of  a  sally  port. 


No.  26.  AURAliA-M    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  315 


1777. 


orders  it  turned  and  fired  on  the  IJritisli.  .\t  this  juncture  the 
New  Englanders  sweep  up  and  hreak  the  British  Hue.  The 
enemy  flees,  but  reforms  and  again  advances.  The  entire 
American  force  having  impelled  itself  upon  the  British  center 
held  by  the  Germans,  one  side  or  the  other  but  needs  a  little 
more  help  to  win.  ^Morgan  now  takes  note  of  l^'raser  in  his 
advanced  position,  gains  the  western  ridge  and  like  a  mighty 
avalanche  his  troops  impel  themselves  upon  the  Fraser  forces 
with  such  vehemence  that  they  move  back  to  the  main  body, 
after  which  he  flanks  the  British  right,  and  presses  it  directly 
back.  Gen.  Benedict  Arnold  had  not  only  been  relieved  of  his 
command  by  Gates  a  few  days  previous,  but  held  at  the  Neilson 
fort,  he  had  asked  Gates  to  allow  him  to  serve  in  the  ranks  as 
a  common  soldier.  Gates  had  refused.  Arnold  hears  the  noise 
of  conflict  half  a  mile  away,  cannot  stand  the  strain  of  military 
inactivity  at  such  a  time,  his  strenuous  spirit  strains  at  such 
restraint,  and  leaping  upon  his  fiery  bay  charger,  puts  spurs  to 
his  steed  and  dashes  through  a  sally  port,  off  for  the  scene  of 
activity  of  which  he  craves  to  becoiue  a  part.  Gates  on  per- 
ceiving this  act  hurriedly  sends  a  rider,  ]\Iajor  Armstrong,  after 
him,  with  orders  to  bring  Arnold  back  lest  he  injure  the  Ameri- 
can cause  by  doing  "  some  rash  thing."  Some  might  term  it 
rashness,  but  it  is  the  sort  of  rashness  that  wins  the  day  for  the 
Americans  and  brings  them  the  credit  of  one  of  the  fifteen 
greatest  victories  in  the  world's  history  instead  of  defeat. 
Arnold  places  himself  at  the  head  of  a  detachment  of  Learned's 
brigade.  This  he  would  under  ordinary  circumstances  have  a 
perfect  right  to  do  as  Learned  was  below  him  in  rank,  and  it 
is  but  his  first  move,  for  it  is  not  long  before  he  is  rallying  all 
the  American  forces  on  his  wild  dashes  up  and  down  the  entire 
line,  vehemently  exhorting  the  troops  to  take  courage,  renew 
their  vigor  and  fight  their  best.  He  leads  them  in  a  charge 
against  the  center,  held  by  the  Hessians.  He  even  conducts 
his  followers,  with  shouts  that  encourage  men  who  had  wavered 
under  their  other  leader,  right  through  the  lines  of  the  British. 
]\rajor  Armstrong,  sent  by  Gates  to  head  him  oft"  and  bring  him 
back  to  Fort  Neilson,  dares  not  follow  him  in  his  courageous 
charge ;  but  waits  at  a  respectful  distance,  possibly  realizing 
that  he  would  endanger  the  success  which  is  coming  the  Ameri- 
cans" way.  Fraser  feels  it  imperative  to  rallv  his  men  to  the 
relief  of  the  Germans,  realizing  that  Arnold  is  waging  the  dead- 
liest fight  of  the  day.  He  leads  the  24th  Regiment  valiantly, 
and  the  reliance  of  the  British  is  restored.     He  is  the  inspiring 


3l6  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1777. 


genius  for  the  British  upon  whom  Burgoyne  now  relies,  as  he 
had  depended  on  him  throughout  the  entire  campaign  in 
America.  Morgan  notices  that  Fraser  is  Hkely  to  place  the 
day's  fight  to  the  credit  of  the  British  unless  the  effective  work 
begun  by  Arnold  is  reinforced,  and  believes  that  by  combining, 
or  rather  co-operating  with  Arnold,  the  two  will  save  the  day. 
Morgan,  therefore,  opposed  directly  against  Fraser's  brigade, 
calls  a  few  of  his  sharpshooters  about  him,  and  (possibly  as 
suggested  to  him  by  Arnold,  as  some  tlinik)  tells  them :  "  That 
gallant  officer  on  the  gray  horse  is  General  Fraser.  I  admire 
and  respect  him,  but  it  is  necessary  for  our  cause  that  he  should 
die.  Take  your  station  in  that  clump  of  trees  and  do  your 
duty."  (Some  critics  of  the  fight  have  found  it  to  their  whim 
to  criticise  this  act  as  murder ;  but  it  would  seem  to  be  ridicu- 
lous if  each  side  were  continuously  picking"  out  that  portion  of 
the  opposition  which  the  enemy  can  spare  the  most  readily,  in- 
stead of  thinking  that  the  quickest  result  will  ensue  by  crippling 
the  enemy  at  its  strongest  parts  if  that  be  as  easily  accomplished 
as  injuring  its  ineffective  points  that  are  doing  a  minimum  of 
damage.  Surely  one  must  be  thinking  of  sparing  the  men  of 
his  own  side  by  doing  the  greatest  harm  to  the  enemy  in  the 
shortest  time  so  that  he  surrenders.  The  fight  might  be  brought 
to  a  halt  by  removing  the  leader.)  It  is  not  many  minutes  after 
this  incident  that  General  Fraser  falls  from  his  horse,  mortally 
wounded  in  the  intestines  by  a  ball  delivered  by  Timothy  ]\Iur- 
phy,  sharpshooter,  perched  in  a  tree  about  one  thousand  feet  to 
the  southwest.  (A  solid  granite  tablet,  in  i(p6,  marks  where 
he  fell.  From  an  examination  of  the  wound  later,  it  is  believed 
by  the  surgeons  that  had  he  partaken  of  a  less  hearty  meal  be- 
fore the  fight,  the  bullet  would  not  have  pierced  the  intestine, 
which  was  inflated  when  shot.)  He  is  tenderly  carried  from 
the  field  by  his  comrades,  and  Burgoyne  in  person  takes  his 
place  in  command  of  the  brigade.  General  Abraham  Ten 
Broeck,  from  Albany  (not  long  afterwards  elected  the  city's 
28th  Mayor)  leading  three  thousand  fresh  troops,  comes  upon 
the  scene,  and  the  American  column,  now  greatly  encouraged, 
shouts  exultingly.  Burgoyne  abandons  his  guns  and  retreats 
northward  to  his  camp.  Scarcely  had  the  British  reached  their 
redoubts  wJien  the  courageous,  impetuous  Benedict  Arnold, 
spurring  his  horse's  flanks  until  the  animal  seems  to  skim  the 
sward  without  touching  it,  rides  up,  and  galloping  from  one 
end  of  the  American  line  to  the  other,  urges  the  men  on  to  the 
enemy's  redoubt,  and  they  drive  the  British  in  wildest  disorder 


GENERAL  BENEDICT  ARNOLD. 
It  was  almost  entirely  due  to  his  valiant  leading  in  the  furious  charges 
that   the   Americans   won   the    Battle   of   Saratoga.     In   many  previous 
instances  he  had  been  seriously  slighted  by  superiors  and  given  inferior 
commands. 


No.  26.  ABR.MIAM    CORNELLS    CUVLER.  317 


1777. 


at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  Then,  gallopinG^  to  the  extreme 
right,  he  bids  the  Massachusetts  troops  to  follow,  and  leading 
them  he  advances  to  the  breastworks,  where  his  bay  charoer  is 
shot  from  under  him ;  he  is  himself  shot  in  the  leg  and  sinks 
to  the  ground  amidst  a  surging  mass  of  humanity  that  is  madly 
beating  one  another  with  the  butt  of  musket  or  giving  deadly 
thrusts  with  bayonet.  At  one  of  the  times  that  Colonel  Wilkin- 
son returns  to  Gates  at  his  headquarters,  a  locality  not  within 
the  danger  range  of  gunshot,  for  he  never  exposed  himself  to 
any  possibility  of  risk,  to  report  the  progress  of  the  fighting, 
he  wonders  at  the  placidity  of  the  American  general  in  remain- 
ing so  far  absent  while  such  an  important  engagement  is  at  its 
height  and  conditions  changing  each  moment  so  as  to  need  a 
guiding  spirit,  in  fact  the  battle  is  manoeuvred  by  the  generals 
independently  of  the  one  at  headquarters.  Wilkinson  finds  that 
Sir  Francis  Clarke,  a  w^ounded  British  officer,  had  been  brought 
to  headquarters  as  a  prisoner  in  Gates'  care.  With  this  royal- 
ist Gates  had  spent  upwards  of  an  hour,  with  the  battle  raging 
meanwhile,  in  a  heated  argument  over  the  relative  merits  of 
the  British  and  patriotic  cause,  and  Gates,  unable  to  conquer 
the  spirit  of  Sir  Francis  Clarke,  turns  petulantly  to  Wilkinson, 

saying,  "  Did  you  ever  see  such  an  impudent  son  of  a  b h?" 

It  was  now  possible  for  Gates"  aide.  Major  Armstrong,  to 
come  up  to  him  ;  but  his  orders  to  have  Arnold  return  to  Fort 
Xeilson  before  he  did  anything  "  rash,"  w^ere  to  be  carried  out 
in  any  event,  for  the  wounded  general  is  borne  away  to  the 
American  camp.  The  disaster  to  the  right  flank  by  the  British 
army  induces  Lieut. -Colonel  Speht  to  recover  Colonel  Brey- 
nian's  lost  position ;  but  he  accepts  poor  advice  and  he,  with  his 
four  officers  and  fifty  men,  is  taken  prisoner  by  an  American 
detachment.  Burgoyne,  on  perceiving  his  right  flank  to  be  as 
an  open  gate,  is  glad  that  darkness  offers  a  good  excuse  for 
both  sides  to  stop  fighting.  The  Americans  had  suffered  150 
killed  and  wounded,  with  Arnold  the  single  commissioned  officer 
wounded.  The  British  had  700  killed  and  wounded,  with 
General  Fraser,  Sir  Francis  Clarke  and  Colonel  Breyman  fatally 
wounded ;  Colonel  Speht,  Majors  Williams  and  Ackland  held 
prisoners,  the  latter  also  badly  wounded.  Colonel  Wilkinson 
makes  a  record  of  the  appearance  of  the  battlefield  as  it  appears 
on  his  leaving  it  that  day,  in  the  following  words :  "  The  ground 
which  had  been  occupied  by  the  British  grenadiers  presented  a 
scene  of  complicated  horror  and  exultation.  In  the  square  space 
of  twelve  or  fifteen  vards  lav  eighteen  irrenadiers  in  the  agonies 


3l8  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1777. 


of  death,  and  three  ofificers  propped  up  against  stvmips  of  trees, 
two  of  them  mortally  wounded,  bleeding,  and  almost  speechless. 
With  the  troops  I  pursued  the  flying  enemy,  passing  over  killed 
and  wounded  until  I  heard  one  exclaim,  '  Protect  me,  sir,  against 
this  boy.'  Turning  my  eyes,  it  was  my  fortune  to  arrest  the 
purpose  of  a  lad  in  the  act  of  taking  aim  at  a  wounded  officer 
who  lay  in  the  angle  of  a  worm  fence.  Inquiring  his  rank,  he 
answered,  '  I  had  the  honor  to  command  the  grenadiers  ;'  of 
course  I  knew  him  to  be  Major  Ackland,  who  had  been  brought 
from  the  field  to  this  place  by  one  of  his  men.  I  dismounted, 
took  him  by  the  hand  and  expressed  hopes  that  he  was  not  badly 
wounded.  '  Not  badly,'  replied  the  gallant  officer ;  '  but  very 
inconveniently ;  I  am  shot  through  both  legs.  Will  you,  sir, 
have  the  goodness  to  have  me  conveyeci  to  your  camp?'  I  di- 
rected my  servant  to  alight  and  we  lifted  Ackland  to  his  seat, 
and  ordered  him  to  be  conducted  to  headquarters."  It  is  to  be 
noted  that  while  Gates,  a  mile  from  the  scene  of  battle,  had  won 
the  battle,  insofar  as  his  generals  proved  the  better  generals 
and  his  men  marksmen  superior  to  the  British,  Burgoyne  was 
present  on  the  field,  exposed  to  the  fury  of  the  fight,  his  hat 
and  clothing  pierced  by  shot  and  torn  by  bayonet.  Gates,  at 
the  close  of  the  day,  learns  of  the  valor  of  Alorgan  and  realizes 
that  he  is  likely  to  stand  high  with  the  Congress  after  this  day, 
so  he  suggests  to  Morgan  (possibly  fearing  in  his  jealousy  of 
spirit  that  he  may  be  superseded  by  him  iu  rank)  that  he  desert 
Washington  and  help  supplant  him  as  chief  in  command  of  the 
American  army.  Morgan  will  not  listen  to  such  a  scandalous 
proposition,  and  replies,  "  I  will  serve  under  no  other  man  but 
Washington."  Gates  is  piqued.  He  writes  a  report  of  the 
day's  battle,  telling  how  he  (?)  won  it,  and  hardly  mentioning 
Morgan's  name.  So  anxious  is  he  to  hold  the  place  of  Wash- 
ington that  he  ignores  his  commander-in-chief  and  forwards 
his  report  to  the  Congress.  At  night,  Burgoyne  moves  his 
army  to  the  low  ground  near  the  river.  His  generals  urge  him 
to  leave  useless  baggage  behind  and  make  for  Canada ;  but  Bur- 
goyne has  thirty  carts  laden  with  his  wines,  his  manifold 
changes  of  gorgeous  costumes,  and  many  personal  effects  which 
he  refuses  to  relinquish,  Oct.  7. 

Baron  Friedrich  Adolph  von  Riedesel,  commander  of  the  Brunswick 
contingent,  had  brought  his  wife  with  him  from  Germany,  a 
brave  little  woman,  of  education  and  marked  ability  for  closely 
obsenang  affairs  and  making  good  literary  record  of  them. 
While  the  fight  was  in  progress  this  day  she  occupied  one  of 


GENERAL  DANIEL  MORGAN. 
He  led  the  sharpshooters  at  Bemis  Heights,  the  flower 
of  the  American  army,  and  rendered  valiant  service  Oct. 
7,  1777.     His  men  shot  the  British  General   Eraser  upon 
whom  Burgoyne  relied  for  success. 


1 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  319 


1777. 


the  very  few  houses  of  the  place,  the  Sword's  house  on  the 
river  bank.  It  is  two  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  the  Free- 
man farm-house,  where  the  fighting  was  so  severe,  and  four 
miles  northeast  of  the  place  where  Gates  has  his  headquarters, 
which  latter  spot  is  about  a  mile  south  of  the  Freeman  farm- 
house. She  had  expected  Generals  Burgoyne,  Fraser  and  Phil- 
lips to  dine  with  her  in  the  afternoon,  should  the  conflict  be 
over  in  time ;  but  was  disappointed  in  a  most  sorrowful  way,  as 
she  relates  in  her  own  words,  as  follows :  "  About  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  instead  of  the  guests  who  were  to  have  dined 
with  us,  they  brought  in  to  me  upon  a  litter  poor  Fraser,  mort- 
ally wounded.  Our  dining  table,  which  was  already  spread, 
was  taken  away,  and  in  its  place  they  fixed  up  a  bed  for  the 
general.  I  sat  in  a  corner  of  the  room,  trembling  and  quaking. 
The  noises  grew  continually  louder.  The  thought  that  they 
might  bring  in  my  husband  in  the  same  manner  was  to  me 
dreadful,  and  tortured  me  incessantly.  The  general  said  to  the 
surgeon,  'Do  not  conceal  anything  from  me.  Must  I  die?' 
The  ball  had  gone  through  his  bowels  precisely  as  in  the  case 
of  Major  Harnage.  Unfortunately,  however,  the  general  had 
eaten  a  hearty  breakfast,  by  reason  of  which  the  intestines  were 
distended,  and  the  ball  had  gone  through  them.  I  heard  him 
often,  amidst  his  groans,  exclaim,  '  O  fatal  ambition !  Poor 
General  Bvu'goyne !  ^ly  poor  wife !'  Prayers  were  read  to 
him.  He  then  sent  a  message  to  General  Burgoyne,  begging 
that  he  would  have  him  buried  the  following  day  at  six  o'clock 
in  the  evening,  on  the  top  of  a  hill  which  was  a  sort  of  redoubt. 
I  knew  no  longer  which  way  to  turn.  The  whole  entry  was 
filled  with  the  sick,  who  were  sufl'ering  with  the  camp  sickness 
—  a  kind  of  dysentery.  I  spent  the  night  in  this  manner ;  at 
one  time  comforting  Lady  Ackland,  whose  husband  was 
wounded  and  a  prisoner,  and  at  another  looking  after 
my  children,  whom  I  had  put  to  bed.  As  for  myself,  I 
could  not  go  to  sleep,  as  I  had  General  Fraser  and  all  the  other 
gentlemen  in  my  room,  and  was  constantly  afraid  that  my  chil- 
dren would  wake  up  and  cry,  and  thus  disturb  the  poor  dying 
man,  who  often  sent  to  beg  my  pardon  for  making  me  so  much 
trouble."  Oct.  7. 

Madam  Riedesel  inscribes  in  her  diary  a  graphic  description  of  the 
death  of  British  General  Fraser  and  of  the  seriousness  of  the 
attempt  to  leave  the  shelter  of  the  house  to  bury  him,  while 
under  fire  of  the  Americans.  (As  it  pictures  the  seriousness 
of  war  and  shows  what  both  sides  underwent  in  the  Revolution, 


320  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26, 

1777. 

it  is  here  given  in  her  words  as  translated,  in  1867,  by  William 
L.  Stone,  Esq.,  from  her  "  Letters,"  who  performed  the  same 
act  a  year  later  regarding'  the  records  of  her  husljand.  the 
general.)  The  account  is  as  follows:  "  About  three  o'clock  in 
the  morning  they  told  me  that  he  could  not  last  much  longer. 
I  had  desired  to  be  apprised  of  the  approach  of  this  moment. 
I  accordingly  wrapped  up  the  children  in  the  coverings,  and 
went  with  them  into  the  entry.  Early  in  the  morning,  at  eight 
o'clock,  he  died.  After  they  had  waslicd  the  corpse,  they 
wrapped  it  in  a  sheet  and  laid  it  on  a  bedstead.  We  then  again 
came  into  the  room,  and  had  this  sad  sight  before  us  the  whole 
day.  At  every  instant,  also,  wounded  officers  of  my  acquaint- 
ance arrived,  and  the  cannonade  began.  A  retreat  was  spoken 
of,  but  there  was  not  the  least  movement  made  toward  it.  About 
four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  I  saw  the  new  house  which  had 
been  built  for  me,  in  tiames ;  the  enemy,  therefore,  were  not  far 
from  us.  We  learned  that  General  Burgoyne  intended  to  fulfill 
the  last  wish  of  General  Eraser,  and  to  have  him  buried  at  six 
o'clock  in  the  place  designated  by  him.  This  occasioned  an  un- 
necessary delay,  to  which  a  part  of  the  misfortunes  of  the  army 
was  owing.  Precisely  at  six  o'clock,  the  corpse  was  brought 
out,  and  we  saw  the  entire  body  of  generals  with  their  retinues 
assisting  at  the  obsequies.  The  English  chaplain,  Mr.  Brude- 
nell,  performed  the  funeral  service.  The  cannon-balls  flew  con- 
tinually around  and  over  the  party.  (The  American  General, 
Gates,  afterward  said  that  if  he  had  known  that  it  was  a  burial, 
he  would  not  have  allowed  any  firing  in  that  direction.)  Many 
cannon-balls  also  fiew  not  far  from  me,  but  I  had  my  eyes  fixed 
upon  the  hill,  where  I  distinctly  saw  my  husband  in  the  midst 
of  the  enemy's  fire,  and  therefore  I  could  not  think  of  my  own 
danger."  Burgoyne's  own  description  of  the  funeral  of  Eraser 
is  told  in  the  following  words :  "  The  incessant  cannonade  dur- 
ing the  solemnity;  the  steady  attitude  and  unaltered  voice  with 
which  the  chaplain  officiated,  though  frequently  covered  with 
dust  which  the  shot  threw  up  on  all  sides  of  him ;  the  mute  but 
expressive  mixture  of  sensibility  and  indignation  upon  every 
countenance — ^  these  objects  will  remain  to  the  last  of  life  upon 
the  mind  of  every  man  who  was  present.  The  growing  duski- 
ness added  to  the  scenery,  and  the  whole  marked  a  character  of 
that  juncture  that  would  make  one  of  the  finest  subjects  for  the 
pencil  of  a  master  that  the  field  ever  exhibited.  To  the  canvas, 
and  to  the  faithful  page  of  a  more  important  historian,  gallant 
friend,   I   consign  thy   memory.     There   mav   thv   talents,   thy 


I 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORXELIS    CUVLER.  321 


1777. 


manly  virtues,  their  progress  and  their  period,  find  (Uie  distinc- 
tion ;  and  long  may  they  survive,  long  after  the  frail  record  of 
my  pen  shall  be  forgotten !'"  So  soon  was  the  funeral  service 
concluded,  Burgoyne  issues  orders  for  a  retreat,  and  is  com- 
pelled to  steal  away,  northward,  at  night,  leaving  nearly  four 
hundred  British  soldiers  in  the  liospitals  to  the  mercies  of  the 
Americans.  At  9  o'clock  the  army  begins  its  retrograde  move- 
ment in  a  pouring  rain,  Riedesel  leading  the  van  and  Phillips 
bringing  up  the  rear.  Burgoyne  sends  Lieut.-Colonel  Suther- 
land and  a  scout,  in  the  shadow  of  the  complete  darkness  of  a 
stormy  night,  to  observe  the  position  of  the  enemy,  who  find 
General  Fellows  with  1.300  men  occupying  the  hill  just  north 
of  Fish  Creek  (site  of  the  monument  erected  in  1877)  and  about 
one  mile  west  of  the  Hudson.  He  had  been  sent  there  previous 
to  the  battle  of  the  day  before  by  Gates,  to  prevent  the  British 
from  crossing  north  of  the  creek.  Sutherland  passes  around 
Fellows'  entire  camp  unobserved,  a  hazardous  undertaking,  and 
on  his  return  begs  Burgoyne  to  allow  him  to  make  an  attack ; 
l)ut  the  latter,  realizing  that  he  has  not  a  man  to  lose  and  no 
means  of  supporting  manv  more  prisoners,  refuses  to  consent, 

Oct.  8. 
Two  hours  before  daybreak,  Burgoyne  arrives  at  Dovegat,  three  or 
four  miles  south  of  Fish  Creek  (Schuylerville)  and  orders  a 
halt.  Everyone  is  of  the  opinion  that  he  is  making  a  serious 
mistake  not  to  continue  his  reatreat  with  the  utmost  speed,  for 
in  another  hour  he  might  have  overtaken  Fellows,  annihilated 
his  command,  and  marched  to  the  ford  at  the  Battenkill,  two 
miles  beyond.  Riedesel  makes  a  note  in  his  record  to  the  effect : 
"'  Everyone  was,  notwithstanding,  even  then  of  the  opinion  that 
the  army  would  make  but  a  short  stand,  merely  for  its  better 
concentration,  as  all  saw  that  haste  was  of  the  utmost  neces- 
sity, if  they  would  get  out  of  a  dangerous  trap."  It  was  the 
final  opportunity  for  Burgoyne  to  escape  from  the  Americans, 
and  his  protracted  halt  here  (and  at  Schuyler's  homestead  later 
in  the  day)  costs  him  his  army.  At  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
the  British  army  moves  northward  along  the  highway  and  be- 
cause General  Fellows  had  destroyed  the  bridge  not  a  hundred 
yards  from  Schuyler's  house,  wades  the  Fish  Creek,  where, 
without  tents  because  they  had  abandoned  them  and  much 
equipage  that  afternoon  at  Dovegat,  the  army  bivouacs  on  the 
wet  ground.  As  they  ford  the  stream,  they  notice  the  rear  of 
General  Fellows'  detachment  ascending  the  eastern  bank  of  the 
river  on  their  way  north  along  the  east  shore,  to  take  position 


322  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26, 


1777. 


north  of  where  the  Battenkill  empties  into  the  Hudson.  This 
would  prevent  General  Burgoyne  from  making  use  of  the  ford 
there  should  he  attempt  a  retreat  to  Canada.  He  can  now  go- 
in  no  direction  without  fighting.  Burgoyne  and  his  stafif.  with 
their  wives,  repair  to  the  Schuyler  homestead,  although  the 
General  and  his  wife  had  some  weeks  before  removed  most  of 
their  valuables.  It  is  a  far  better  shelter  through  the  stormy 
evening  than  that  provided  for  his  men,  who  sleep  under  trees 
covered  with  oil-cloth.  Madam  Riedesel  has  the  following  ac- 
count in  her  diary  as  to  what  transpires  there :  "  I  was  wet 
through  and  through  by  the  frequent  rains,  and  was  obliged 
to  remain  in  this  condition  the  entire  night,  as  I  had  no  place 
whatever  where  I  could  change  my  linen.  I  therefore  seated 
myself  before  a  good  fire  and  undressed  my  children,  after 
which  we  laid  down  together  upon  some  straw.  I  asked 
General  Phillips,  who  came  up  to  where  we  were,  why  he  did 
not  continue  our  retreat  while  there  was  yet  time,  as  my  hus- 
band had  pledged  himself  to  cover  it  and  bring  the  ar.my 
through.  '  Poor  woman,'  answered  he,  '  I  am  amazed  at  you. 
Completely  wet  through,  have  you  still  the  courage  to  wish  to 
go  further  in  this  weather?  Would  that  you  were  our  com- 
manding general !  He  halts  because  he  is  tired,  and  intends 
to  spend  the  night  here,  and  give  us  a  supper.'  "  To  relieve 
his  mind  of  the  pressing  anxiety,  Burgoyne  and  his  companions 
set  out  to  enjoy  the  night  as  far  as  in  their  power,  and  manage 
to  have  a  rollicking  time  in  the  mansion  of  General  Schuyler, 
as  the  "  Brunswick  Journal  "  relates :  "  The  illuminated  man- 
sion of  General  Schuyler  rang  with  singing,  laughter,  and  jing- 
ling of  glasses.  There  Burgoyne  was  sitting  with  some  merry 
companions  at  a  dainty  supper,  while  the  champagne  was  flow- 
ing. Near  him  sat  the  beautiful  wife  of  an  English  commissary, 
his  mistress.  Great  as  the  calamity  was,  the  frivolous  general 
still  kept  up  his  orgies.  Some  were  even  of  opinion  that  he  had 
merely  made  that  inexcusable  stand  for  the  sake  of  passing 
a  merry  night.  Riedesel  thought  it  his  duty  to  remind  his 
general  of  the  danger  of  the  halt,  but  the  latter  returned  all 
sorts  of  evasive  answers."  Oct.  9. 

Lady  Harriet  Ackland  had  accompanied  her  husband,  ]\Iajor  John 
Dyke  Ackland  of  General  Burgoyne's  grenadiers,  on  the  ex- 
pedition, and  shared  his' tent  w^ith  him  no  matter  what  the 
danger,  until  he  was  mortally  wounded  on  the  7th  and  carried 
into  the  American  camp.  Instead  of  being  one  of  Burgoyne's 
dinner  party  at  the  Schuyler  house,  she  has  a  fearful  experience 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  323 


1777. 


for  a  woman.  For  two  days  she  had  worried  about  his  fate, 
and  finally  accepted  the  suggestion  of  Baroness  Riedesel  to 
apply  to  Burgoyne  for  permission  to  go  to  the  enemy's  camp 
to  nurse  him.  When  she  broached  the  subject  to  him  he 
thought  the  idea  preposterous  for  so  frail  a  person  to  carry 
out,  as  shown  by  this  entry  in  his  records :  "  Though  I  was 
ready  to  believe  that  patience  and  fortitude  in  a  supreme  de- 
gree were  to  be  found,  as  well  as  every  other  virtue,  under 
the  most  tender  forms,  I  was  astonished  at  this  proposal.  After 
so  long  an  agitation  of  spirits,  exhausted  not  only  for  want  of 
rest,  but  absolutely  want  of  food,  drenched  in  rains  for  twelve 
hours  together,  that  a  woman  should  be  capable  of  such  an  un- 
dertaking and  delivering  herself  to  an  enemy,  probably  in  the 
night  and  uncertain  of  what  hands  she  might  fall  into,  appeared 
an  effort  above  human  nature.  The  assistance  I  was  enabled 
to  give  was  small  indeed.  All  I  could  furnish  to  her  was  an 
open  boat,  and  a  few  lines,  written  upon  dirty  wet  paper,  to 
General  Gates,  recommending  her  to  his  protection."  General 
Burgoyne's  note  to  enable  her  to  pass  into  the  enemy's  lines 
reads  as  follows  :  "  Major-General  Gates,  Sir  : —  Lady  Harriet 
Ackland,  a  Lady  of  the  first  distinction  by  family,  rank,  and  by 
personal  virtues,  is  under  such  concern  on  account  of  Major 
Ackland,  her  husband,  wounded  and  a  prisoner  in  your  hands, 
that  I  cannot  refuse  her  request  to  commit  her  to  your  pro- 
tection. Whatever  general  impropriety  there  may  be  in  persons 
acting  in  your  situation  and  mine  to  solicit  favors,  I  cannot 
see  the  uncommon  perseverance  in  every  female  grace,  and  ex- 
ultation of  character  of  this  Lady,  and  her  very  hard  fortune, 
without  testifying  that  your  attentions  to  her  will  lay  me  under 
obligation.  I  am.  Sir,  Your  obedient  servant,  J.  Burgoyne." 
She  sets  out  at  night,  amidst  a  blinding  downpoiir  of  rain,  in 
in  a  small  open  boat,  with  a  crew,  accompanied  by  Rev.  Edward 
Brudenell,  chaplain  to  the  artillery,  her  maid  and  her  husband's 
valet,  and  at  10  o'clock  reaches  the  American  pickets,  whom 
she  answers  herself  on  being  hailed.  They  pass  ashore,  and  she 
is  welcomed  by  Major  Henry  Dearborn,  who  serves  her  a 
supper  and  ofifers  her  his  room  in  a  log  cabin  (some  records 
say  a  tent)  for  the  night,  he  first  assuring  her  of  her  husband's 
more  hopeful  condition,  Oct.  9. 

In  the  morning,  General  Gates  courteously  receives  Lady  Harriet 
Ackland  bearing  Burgoyne's  letter  to  him,  and  she  is  given 
escort  to  the  tent  of  Joseph  Bird  to  see  her  husband.  Bur- 
goyne's aide,  Adjutant-General  Wilkinson,  describes  the  inci- 


324 


ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1777. 


dent  in  his  record  in  these  words,  which  also  furnish  another 
Hg'ht  on  the  character  of  Gates :  "  I  visited  the  guard  before  sun- 
rise. Lady  Ackland's  boat  had  put  off,  and  was  floating  down 
the  stream  to  our  camp,  where  General  Gates,  whose  gallantry 
will  not  be  denied,  stood  ready  to  receive  her  with  all  the  ten- 
derness and  respect  to  which  her  rank  and  condition  gave  her 
a  claim.  Indeed,  the  feminine  figure,  the  benign  aspect  and 
polished  manners  of  this  charming  woman  were  alone  suffi- 
cient to  attract  the  sympathy  of  the  most  obdurate ;  but  if  an- 
other motive  could  have  been  wanting  to  inspire  respect,  it  was 
furnished  by  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  Lady  Harriet,  then 
in  that  most  delicate  situation  which  cannot  fail  to  interest  the 
solicitudes  of  every  being  possessing  the  form  and  feelings  of 
a  man."  (Unfortunately,  Major  Ackland  appreciated  the 
kindness  of  the  enemy  so  deeply  that  on  his  return  to  England 
he  defended  American  courtesy  and  kindness  in  an  argument 
with  a  companion,  who  took  offense,  challenged  him  to  defend 
his  honor  for  speaking  so  highly  of  the  King's  enemy,  and  was 
killed.).  '  Oct.  10. 

Burgoyne  and  staff  leave  General  Schuyler's  homestead  in  the 
morning,  following  his  night  of  revelry,  and  wade  Fish  Creek, 
not  much  more  than  a  hundred  feet  to  the  north  of  the  mansion. 
As  it  is  impossible  now  to  lead  his  artillery  out  by  way  of  the 
Battenkill  ford,  because  of  General  Fellows  and  his  1,300  men 
who  had  gone  there  the  preyious  afternoon,  he  ascends  Prospect 
Hill  (site  of  the  monument  on  Saratoga  Heights,  known  in  iQo5 
as  Schuylerville)  and  erects  a  large,  fortified  camp.  At  noon 
Gates'  army  is  ready  to  march,  and  the  front  reaches  Saratoga 
(Schuylerville)  about  4  o'clock,  when  the  camp  of  Burgoyne 
is  discovered  on  the  heights  across  Fish  Creek,  consequently 
the  Americans  stop  in  the  forest  on  the  high  ground  about  a 
mile  south  of  the  kill,  with  Colonel  Morgan  to  the  front. 
General  Gates  makes  his  headquarters  in  the  small,  wooden 
farm-house  of  the  Widow  Kershaw,  a  mile  south  of  Schuyler's 
mansion,  on  the  highway.  Major  Stevens,  of  the  American 
forces  on  the  east  bank,  attempts  to  place  cannon  on  the  plain 
by  the  river  to  fire  at  Burgoyne's  men  at  work  on  the  landing 
on  the  west  shore ;  but  no  sooner  does  he  discharge  a  shot  than 
the  British  discover  his  whereabouts  and  return  the  fire,  strik- 
ing Stevens'  ammunition  wagon  which  bursts  and  causes  a 
mighty  cheer  to  go  up  from  the  whole  British  army.  Bur- 
goyne sends  two  regiments  under  Lieut.-Colonel  Sutherland 
to  follow  the  road  directly  north  along  the  west  shore  of  the 


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No.  26.  AHRATIAM    CORNELIS    Cl'VLER.  325 

1777. 

Hudson  to  Fort  Edward  to  learn  whether  there  was  any  enemy 
likely  to  impede  a  retreat,  and  to  repair  bridges.  (General  Stark, 
was  holding-  that  place.)  It  had  nearly  reached  that  locality 
when  a  message  is  received  from  lUirgoyne  ordering  a  hurried 
return,  as  he  was  in  fear  of  attack.  Uy  error,  Gates  is  told 
that  evening  that  Burgoyne's  army  had  retreated  to  Fort  Ed- 
ward, leaving  only  a  small  detachment  to  guard  the  camp  bag- 
-  gage,  and  with  no  further  investigation  issues  orders  that 
the  Americans  assault  this  guard  before  the  fog  of  the 
river  and  of  the  kill  separating  the  two  armies,  lifts  in  the 
morning.  Upon  the  two  armies  approaching  so  closely,  Bur- 
goyne,  late  in  the  day,  orders  the  mansion  of  General  Philip 
Schuyler,  together  with  his  mills,  barns  and  all  other  buildings 
about  the  homestead,  to  be  fired.  There  is  a  conflagration  that 
illumines  the  skies  for  miles  around,  and  property  of  the  valiant 
American  general  valued  at  $50,000  goes  up  in  smoke,  Oct.  10. 
At  two  o'clock  on  the  same  afternoon  that  the  British  army  had 
moved  northward  beyond  Fish  Creek,  Madam  Riedesel  drives 
with  her  young  daughters  about  three  miles  northward  along 
the  river  road  to  the  Marshall  house,  the  experience  described 
in  her  own  words  follows  :  "  About  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
the  firing  of  cannon  and  small  arms  was  again  heard,  and  all 
was  alarm  and  confusion.  My  husband  sent  me  a  message 
telling  me  to  betake  myself  forthwith  into  a  house  not  far 
from  there.  I  seated  myself  in  the  calash  with  my  children, 
and  had  scarcely  driven  up  to  the  house  when  I  saw  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  Hudson  river  five  or  six  men  with  guns, 
which  were  aimed  at  us.  Almost  involuntarily  I  threw  the 
children  on  the  bottom  of  the  calash  and  mvself  over  them. 
At  the  same  instant  the  churls  tired,  and  shattered  the  arm  of 
a  poor  English  soldier  behind  us,  who  was  already  wounded 
and  was  also  retreating  into  the  house.  Immediately  after  our 
arrival  a  frightful  cannonade  began,  principally  against  the 
house  in  \\hicli  we  had  sought  shelter,  probably  because  the 
enemy  believed,  from  seeing  so  many  people  flocking  around  it, 
that  all  the  generals  made  it  their  headquarters.  Alas  !  it  har- 
bored none  but  wounded  soldiers,  or  women  !  We  were  finally 
obliged  to  take  refuge  in  a  cellar,  in  which  I  laid  myself  down 
in  a  corner  not  far  from  the  door.  My  children  lay  down  on 
the  earth  with  their  hands  upon  my  lap,  and  in  this  manner  we 
passed  the  entire  night.  .V  horrible  stench,  the  cries  of  the 
children,  and  yet  more  than  all  this,  my  own  anguish,  pre- 
vented me  from  closinsf  mv  eves."  Oct.  10. 


326  ABRAHAM    CORXELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 

1777. 

General  Gates  is  not  a  little  nettled  by  the  actions  of  the  British  in 
burning  and  devastating"  American  estates,  and  on  receipt  of 
Burgoyne's  letter  to  him  takes  occasion  to  refer  to  this  in  most 
striking  terms  in  a  letter  that  he  sends  back  to  the  British  gen- 
eral, as  follows :  "  Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  receive  your  Ex- 
cellency's letter  by  Lady  Ackland.  The  respect  due  to  her 
ladyship's  rank,  and  the  tenderness  due  to  her  person  and  sex, 
were  alone  sufficient  securities  to  entitle  her  to  my  protection, 
if  you  consider  my  preceding  conduct  with  respect  to  those  of 
your  army  whom  the  fortune  of  war  has  placed  in  my  hands. 
I  am  suprised  that  your  Excellency  should  think  that  I  could 
consider  the  greatest  attention  to  Lady  Ackland  in  the  light  of 
an  obligation.  The  cruelties  which  mark  the  retreat  of  your 
army,  in  burning  gentlemen's  and  farmers'  houses  as  they  pass 
along,  is  almost,  among  civilized  nations,  without  a  precedent. 
They  should  not  endeavor  to  ruin  those  they  could  not  conquer. 
This  conduct  betrays  more  of  the  vindictive  malice  of  the 
bigot,  than  the  generosity  of  a  soldier.  Your  friend.  Sir  Fran- 
cis Clarke,  by  the  information  of  the  director-general  of  my 
hospital,  languishes  under  a  dangerous  wound.  Every  sort  of 
tenderness  and  attention  is  paid  to  him  as  well  as  to  all  the 
wounded  who  have  fallen  into  my  hands,  and  the  hospital, 
which  you  were  obliged  to  leave  to  my  mercy.  *  *  *  j  ^^n, 
Sir,  Yours,  Horatio  Gates.     To  General  Burgoyne.  Saratoga." 

Oct.    II. 

That  the  Americans  kept  harassing  Burgoyne's  army  whenever  an 
opportunity  offered,  and  proved  themselves  good  marksmen, 
is  borne  out  by  what  Madam  Riedesel  notes  as  she  goes  on 
with  her  diary.  "On  the  (following)  morning,  the  cannonade 
again  began,  but  on  a  different  side.  [On  the  former  day  the 
shots  came  from  Furnival's  battery  which  was  north  of  the 
Battenkill  Creek,  and  on  this  day  from  Fellows'  battery  op- 
posite Schuylerville,  the  former  from  the  northeast  and  the 
latter  from  the  southeast,  both  batteries  across  the  Hudson 
river,  which  is  comparatively  narrow,  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  at 
this  locality.]  I  advised  all  to  go  out  of  the  cellar  for  a  little 
while,  during  which  time  I  would  have  it  cleaned,  as  otherwise 
we  would  all  be  sick.  They  followed  my  suggestion,  and  I  at 
once  set  many  hands  to  work,  which  was  in  the  highest  degree 
necessary ;  for  the  women  and  children  being  afraid  to  venture 
forth,  had  soiled  the  whole  cellar.  After  they  had  all  gone  out 
and  left  me  alone,  I  for  the  first  time  surveyed  our  place  of 
refuge.    It  consisted  of  three  beautiful  cellars,  splendidly  arched. 


MARSHALL  HOUSE. 

Madam  Riedesel  made  this  farmhouse  her  home  for  several  days,  sleeping  in  the 
cellar  with  her  three  children,  while  eleven  cannon  balls,  fired  by  Americans  across 
the  Hudson  from  the  east  bank  passed  through  its  walls.  It  was  standing  in  1906,  but 
modernized  in  part  by  repairs. 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  327 


1777. 


I  proposed  that  the  most  dans^eroiisly  wonndcd  of  the  oft'icers 
should  be  brought  into  one  of  them ;  that  the  women  shouhl 
remain  in  another;  and  that  all  the  rest  should  stav  in  the 
third,  which  was  nearest  the  entrance.  1  had  just  j^iven  the 
cellars  a  good  sweeping,  and  had  fumigated  theni  by  sprinkling 
vinegar  on  burning  coals,  and  each  one  had  found  his  ])lace  ]>re- 
pared  for  him  —  when  a  fresh  and  terrible  cannonade  threw  us 
all  once  more  into  alarm.  Many  persons,  wlio  had  no  right  to 
come  in,  threw  themselves  against  the  door.  Aly  children  were 
already  under  the  cellar  steps,  and  we  would  all  have  been 
crushed,  if  God  had  not  given  me  strength  to  place  myself 
before  the  door,  and  with  extended  arms  prevent  all  from 
coming  in  ;  otherwise  every  one  of  us  would  have  been  severely 
injured.  Eleven  cannon-balls  went  through  the  house,  and  we 
could  plainly  hear  them  rolling  over  our  heads.  One  jjoor 
soldier  [Jones,  a  British  surgeon]  whose  leg  they  were  about 
to  amputate,  having  been  laid  upon  a  table  for  this  purpose, 
had  the  other  leg  taken  off  by  another  cannon-ball,  in  the  midst 
of  the  operation.  His  comrades  all  ran  oflf,  and  when  they 
again  came  back  they  found  hiiu  in  a  corner  of  the  room, 
where  he  had  rolled  in  his  anguish,  scarcely  breathing.  I  was 
more  dead  than  alive,  though  not  so  much  on  account  of  our 
own  danger,  as  for  that  which  enveloped  my  husband,  who, 
however,  frequently  sent  to  see  how  I  was  getting  along,  and 
to  tell  me  that  he  was  still  safe.  The  wife  of  Major  Harnage, 
a  Madam  Reynels,  the  wife  of  the  good  lieutenant  w'ho  the 
day  previous  had  so  kindly  shared  his  broth  with  me.  the  wife 
of  a  commissary,  and  myself,  were  the  only  ladies  who  were 
with  the  army  [although  about  three-score  soldiers  brought 
their  wives  along  and  there  were,  all-told,  some  three  hundred 
women  accompanying  Burgoyne's  campaign].  W^e  sat  together 
bewailing  our  fate,  when  one  came  in,  upon  which  they  all 
began  whispering,  looking  at  the  same  time  exceedingly  sad.  I 
noticed  this,  and  also  that  they  cast  silent  glances  toward  me. 
This  awakened  in  my  mind  the  dreadful  thought  that  my  hus- 
band had  been  killed.  I  shrieked  aloud,  but  they  assured  me 
that  this  was  not  so,  at  the  same  time  intimating  to  me  by  signs, 
that  it  was  the  lieutenant  —  the  husband  of  our  companion  — 
who  had  met  with  misfortune.  A  moment  after  she  was  called 
out.  Her  husband  was  not  yet  dead,  but  a  cannon-ball  had 
taken  off  his  arm  close  to  the  shoidder.  During  the  whole 
night  we  heard  his  moans,  which  rescnmded  fearfully  through 
the  vaulted  cellars.     This  poor  man  died  toward  morning.     We 


ARRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1777. 


spent  the  remainder  of  this  night  as  the  former  ones.  In  the 
meantime  my  husband  came  to  visit  me,  which  Hghtened  my 
anxiety  and  gave 'me  fresh  courage."  Oct.  ii. 

Before  the  dawn,  Burgoyne  has  learned  that  Gates  had  been  uninten- 
tionallv  fooled  bv  his  sending  two  regiments  off  to  Fort  Edward 
the  day  before,  and  prepares  for  a  sunrise  attack.  General 
^Morgan  had  been  led  to  believe  that  he  was  to  find  only  a 
small  body  of  men  on  Saratoga  Heights  (site  of  the  monument, 
Schuylerville),  and  leads  his  men  across  Fish  Creek  under  pro- 
tection of  a  heavy  fog.  It  is  now  that  a  picket  shoots  down 
a  lieutenant  and  two  privates,  and  Morgan  has  misgivings  as 
to  the  reliability  of  the  news  about  a  deserted  camp  that  had 
been  told  him  by  Gates.  Down  by  the  river,  the  Americans' 
right,  is  Colonel  Wilkinson.  h>om  thirty-five  British  prisoners 
just  made  he  learns  that  Burgoyne  had  not  gone  ;  he  was  anx- 
iously awaiting  an  attack  in  his  fortified  position,  so  he  sends 
an  aide  with  all  dispatch  to  Gates  with  the  message :  "  Tell 
the  general  that  his  own  fame  and  the  interests  of  the  cause 
are  at  hazard ;  that  his  presence  is  necessary  with  the  troops." 
Evidently  he  knows  that  the  matter  must  be  placed  plainly  and 
urgently  before  the  commander  of  the  Americans  to  get  him 
to  leave  his  quarters  some  distance  to  the  south.  Gates  does 
not  appear  nevertheless;  he  never  had  come  within  a  mile  of 
any  fighting,  and  does  not  now.  The  only  things  he  knows 
about  a  conflict  is  what  is  brought  by  word  of  aides.  The  fog 
lifting,  the  American  line  perceives  the  British  and  beats  a 
precipitate  retreat  to  the  south  of  Fish  Creek,  excepting  far  up 
on  the  hill  from  the  river,  in  the  woods,  where  are  Morgan 
and  Learned,  not  more  than  five  hundred  feet  to  the  south 
of  the  British  stronghold  on  Prospect  Hill.  Both  of  these 
generals  are  loth  to  accept  Wilkinson's  urgent  admonition  to 
retreat,  and  would  maintain  that  they  had  started  out  with 
orders  from  Gates  to  make  an  attack ;  but  realizing  that  Gates 
did  not  know  anything  about  the  actual  situation,  they  cautiously 
move  away,  as  they  are  told  the  right  wing  has  already  done. 
An  officer  and  several  men  are  sacrificed  before  they  have 
decided  what  to  do.  If  Gates'  subordinate  officers  had  not  acted 
on  their  own  initiative.  Gates  would  have  suffered  a  defeat, 

Oct.    II. 

The  care  of  the  sick  had  become  a  serious  question.  Madam  Riede- 
sel  did  what  she  could  to  alleviate ;  but  no  conveniences  or 
facilities  being  at  hand,  her  limit  is  to  offer  succor  and  comfort 
in  conjunction  with  her  tender  ministrations.     She  tells  about 


No.  26.  ABRATlA.Nr    COKXKLIS    CUYLER.  329 

1777. 


her  self-appointed  task  this  day  in  these  words :  "  However, 
we  got  things  better  regulated.  Major  Harnage,  his  wife,  and 
Mrs.  Reynels  made  a  little  room  in  a  corner,  by  hanging  cur- 
tains from  the  ceiling.  They  wished  to  fix  up  for  me  another 
corner  in  the  same  manner,  but  I  preferred  to  remain  near 
the  door,  so  that  in  case  of  fire  I  could  rush  out  from  the  room. 
I  had  some  straw  brought  in  and  laid  my  bed  upon  it,  where 
I  slept  with  my  children — my  maids  sleeping  not  far  from  us. 
Directly  opposite  us  three  English  ofificers  were  quartered — 
wounded  it  is  true  :  but,  nevertheless  resolved  not  to  be  left 
behind  in  case  of  a  retreat.  One  of  these  was  Captain  Green, 
aide-de-camp  of  General  Phillips,  a  very  valuable  and  agreeable 
man.  All  three  assured  me,  upon  their  oaths,  that  in  case  of 
a  hasty  retreat,  they  would  not  leave  me,  but  would  each  take 
one  of  my  children  upon  his  horse.  For  myself,  one  of  my 
husband's  horses  constantly  stood  saddled  and  in  readiness. 
Often  my  husband  wished  to  withdraw  me  from  danger,  by 
sending  me  to  the  Americans ;  but  I  remonstrated  with  him 
on  the  ground  that  to  be  with  people  whom  I  would  be  obliged 
to  treat  with  courtesy,  while  perhaps  my  husband  was  being 
killed  by  them,  would  be  even  yet  more  painful  than  all  I  was 
now  suffering.  He  promised  me,  therefore,  that  I  should 
henceforward  follow  the  army.  Nevertheless,  I  was  often  in 
the  night  filled  with  anxiety  lest  he  should  march  away.  At 
such  times  I  have  crept  out  of  my  cellar  to  reassure  myself,  and 
if  I  saw  the  troo])s  lying  around  the  fires  (for  the  nights  were 
already  cold),  I  would  return  and  sleep  quietly.  On  the  third 
day  I  found  an  opportunity  for  the  first  time  to  change  my 
linen,  as  my  companions  had  the  courtesy  to  give  up  to  me  a 
little  corner ;  the  three  wounded  officers  meanwhile  standing 
guard  not  far  off.  Our  cook  saw  to  our  meals,  but  we  were 
in  want  of  water :  and  in  order  to  quench  our  thirst  I  was 
often  obliged  to  drink  wine,  and  give  it  also  to  the  children. 
The  continued  danger  in  which  my  husband  was  encompassed, 
was  a  constant  source  of  anxiety  to  me.  I  was  the  only  one 
of  all  the  women  whose  husband  had  not  been  killed  or  wounded, 
and  I  often  said  to  myself — ■  shall  I  be  the  only  fortunate  one  ? ' 
As  the  great  scarcity  of  water  continued,  we  at  last  found  a 
soldier's  wife  who  had  the  courage  to  bring  water  from  the 
river,  for  no  one  else  would  undertake  it,  as  the  enemy  shot  at 
every  man  who  approached  the  river.  This  woman,  however, 
they  never  molested,  and  they  told  us  afterward  that  they 
spared  her  on  account  of  her  sex.     I  endeavored  to  divert  my 


330 


ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1777. 


mind  from  my  troubles  by  constantly  busying  myself  with  the 
wounded.  I  made  them  tea  and  coffee,  and  received  in  return 
a  thousand  benedictions.  Often,  also,  I  shared  my  noon-day 
meal  with  them.  One  day  a  Canadian  officer  came  into  our 
cellar  who  could  scarcely  stand  up.  We  at  last  got  it  out  of 
him  that  he  was  almost  dead  with  hunger.  I  considered  myself 
very  fortunate  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  offer  him  my  mess. 
This  gave  him  renewed  strength,  and  gained  for  me  his  friend- 
ship. One  of  our  greatest  annoyances  was  the  stench  o£  the 
wounds  when  they  began  to  suppurate.  One  day  I  undertook 
the  care  of  Major  Bloomfield,  adjutant  to  General  Phillips, 
through  both  of  whose  cheeks  a  small  musket-ball  had  passed, 
shattering  his  teeth  and  grazing  his  tongue.  He  could  hold 
nothing  whatever  in  his  mouth.  The  matter  from  the  woimd 
almost  choked  him,  and  he  was  unable  to  take  any  other 
nourishment  except  a  little  broth,  or  something  liquid.  We  had 
Rhine  wine.  I  gave  him  a  bottle  of  it,  in  hopes  that  the 
acidity  of  the  wine  would  cleanse  his  wound.  He  kept  some 
continually  in  his  mouth,  and  that  alone  acted  so  beneficially 
that  he  became  cured,  and  I  again  accjuired  one  more  friend." 

Oct.    12. 

Burgoyne  begins  to  doubt  seriously  whether  he  will  be  able  to  win 
a  victory.  He  also  wonders  whether  it  is  still  possible  to  retreat 
to  the  north.  So  convinced  is  he  that  a  crisis  has  been  reached, 
as  he  studies  the  diminishing  provisions  and  the  American 
regiments  taking  new  fortified  positions  about  him,  he  decides 
to  hold  a  consultation  with  his  officers.  Late  in  the  afternoon, 
he  summons  them  to  a  council,  and  tells  his  staff  that  he  has 
heard  no  news  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton  regarding  his  approach 
up  the  Hudson  to  Albany,  which  he  had  counted  on  to  influence 
a  withdrawal  of  a  large  part  of  the  troops  from  the  Saratoga 
field.  Accordingly,  Burgoyne  issues  orders  that  they  break 
camp  that  night,  provided  the  distribution  of  provisions  could  be 
made  before  ii  o'clock.  At  lo  o'clock  he  is  notified  by  General 
Riedesel  that  everything  was  in  readiness,  and  astounds  his 
staff  by  announcing  that  he  considers  it  too  late  and  that  the 
army  is  to  remain  until  the  morrow,  Oct.  12. 

General  Burgoyne's  decision  of  the  previous  night,  not  to  move 
north  until  this  day,  postponed  the  action  until  too  late  for 
accomplishment.  He  is  now  surrounded.  The  one  gap  that 
had  been  open  to  his  escape  from  the  circle  of  American 
troops  had  been  to  the  north  of  his  camp,  and  this  was  closed 
by  General  Stark  sending  his  troops  during  the  night  from  the 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNKLIS    CUVLER.  33I 

1777. 

east  to  tlie  west  sliore  of  the  Hiulson  on  rafts  above  the  mouth 
of  the  Battenkill,  whereupon  they  had  erected  a  battery  on  the 
hill.  Moreover,  the  Americans  had  cast  a  floating-  bridge 
across  the  river,  north  of  Pish  Creek,  to  Fellows'  regiment  on 
the  east  bluff,  so  that  Gates'  army  could  march  about  Rurg-oyne's 
position  at  will.  The  Americans  now  have  fortified  i)laces  at 
the  four  sides  of  the  square  that  has  the  British  army  boxed, — 
Gates  to  the  south.  Stark  to  the  north,  Morgan  to  the  west, 
Fellows  on  the  east  bank  of  the  river.  This  box  was  hardly 
more  than  from  two  to  three  miles  on  either  side,  each  general 
not  three  miles  distant  from  the  one  on  his  right  or  left.  As 
a  matter  of  fact,  not  a  British  soldier  can  now  hope  to  pass  in 
safety  from  any  part  of  the  square.  A  shot  from  Fellows" 
battery  carries  the  ham  from  Burgoyne's  table  and  is  an  un- 
comfortable incident  of  the  meal.  He  later  stands  outside 
beneath  an  oak  and  a  cannon-ball  speeds  across  the  river  and 
lodges  in  the  tree.  He  calls  another  general  council  of  his 
officers,  including  the  captains,  and  it  takes  but  a  short  time 
to  decide  unanimously,  for  rifle-balls  continually  perforate  his 
tent,  and  an  1 8-pound  cannon-ball  sweeps  across  the  table  where 
the  generals  are  seated.  Burgoyne  is  convinced  that  to  sur- 
render is  not  only  the  wisest  course,  but  honorable.  Arriving 
at  this  conclusion,  he  sends  a  flag  of  truce  to  Gates  to  inquire 
whether  he  will  receive  a  "  field  officer  on  a  matter  of  high 
moment  to  both  armies,"  and  to  this  Gates  sends  answer  that 
he  would,  naming"  lo  o'clock  the  next  morning  as  a  time  agree- 
able to  him,  Oct.  13. 
General  Burgoyne  selects  Major  Robert  Kingston  to  bear  his  mes- 
sage to  General  Gates.  At  9  o'clock  he  descends  the  eastern 
slope  of  Prospect  Hill  from  the  British  camp,  and  turning 
southward  less  than  half  a  mile,  crosses  Fish  Creek  by  the  few 
rafters  remaining  thrown  across.  On  the  other  side,  he  is  met 
by  Colonel  Wilkinson,  Gates'  representative,  who  blindfolds 
him  and  conducts  him  afoot  southward  a  mile  or  more.  Gen- 
eral Gates  reads  Burgoyne's  letter,  requesting  a  cessation  while 
arranging  terms  for  an  honorable  surrender.  Gates  replies  that 
fighting  will  cease  while  they  negotiate,  and  he  outlines  his 
terms  ;  that  the  British  must  surrender  as  ]:)risoners  of  war  and 
must  lay  down  their  arms  in  their  entrenchments,  on  command 
of  their  adjutant-general.  Burgoyne  reads  these  terms  aloud 
to  his  officers,  and  all  agree  that  such  terms  are  incompatible 
with  their  views  of  an  honorable  surrender.  Accordingly,  at 
sunset,  Gates'  terms  are  returned  with  a  message  that  his  men 


332 


ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1777. 


to  a  man  would  die  ere  his  army  accept  such  a  proposition. 
He  accompanies  his  answer  with  an  outhne  of  what  terms  would 
be  acceptable  to  the  British.  By  this  time  Gates  has  received 
word  from  Putnam  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  his  British 
army,  had  broken  the  chain  across  the  Hudson,  had  passed 
north  of  the  forts  with  his  vessels,  and  having  destroyed  King- 
ston, he  was  on  his  way  to  Albany,  burning  all  the  houses  on 
his  way  and  devastating  the  farms.  He  realizes  that  he  will  be 
called  upon  in  another  day  to  move  his  army  down  to  protect 
Albany  from  Clinton's  army,  and  thus  he  consents  readily  to 
permit  his  enemy  to  dictate  his  terms,  Oct.   14. 

In  order  that  all  details  of  the  treaty  might  be  adjusted  to  suit 
both  parties,  two  men  are  chosen  by  each  general,  and  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  four  a  tent  is  pitched  south  of  the  Fish 
Creek.  Burgoyne  is  desirous  to  arrange  that  the  army  shall 
be  returned  to  England  in  order  that  they  may  still  be  of 
service  to  the  crown,  on  condition,  of  course,  that  they  fight 
no  more  in  North  America.  The  Americans  raise  no  objection, 
and  with  the  serious  news  from  Putnam  that  the  British  under 
Clinton  are  coming  up  the  Hudson,  hope  to  hasten  matters  and 
allow  their  army  to  move  without  a  day's  delay  back  to  Albany. 
At  8  o'clock  in  the  evenisig  the  four  men  have  reached  a  com- 
promise, largely  in  the  wordings,  that  should  not  injure  Bur- 
goyne's  most  sensitive  feelings,  and  they  separate,  pledging 
that  their  generals  will  sign  the  following  day.  Late  at  night 
Burgoyne's  spy  succeeds  in  getting  back  to  the  British  camp, 
having  been  ferreting  for  news  in  Gates'  quarters.  He  breaks 
the  news  to  Burgoyne  that  Clinton,  with  his  large  army,  is 
proceeding  up  the  Hudson  to  Albany,  then  to  harass  Gates  in 
his  rear.  This  creates  hope  that  by  bringing  about  a  delay  in 
the  negotiations  Gates  will  fall  away  within  twenty-four  hours. 
He  spends  the  night  in  deep  thought,  planning  his  course,  and 
sends  a  messenger  to  awake  Riedesel  and  tell  him  that  he  is 
considering  the  breaking  of  the  agreement  reached  by  the  repre- 
sentatives that  afternoon,  Oct.  15. 

Early  in  the  morning  Burgoyne  summons  his  generals  to  an  im- 
portant council.  He  announces  what  the  spy  had  narrated  to 
him  after  dark  the  night  before,  and  he  asks  their  opinion, 
whether  in  view  of  the  likelihood  that  Gates  must  surely  aban- 
don his  position  in  order  to  succor  Albany,  or  at  least  greatly 
weaken  his  force  by  detaching  all  the  regiments  he  estimates 
he  can  spare,  they  think  he  is  justified  in  repudiating  the  agree- 
ment as  now  drawn  up  and  awaiting  signature.     He  tells  them 


I 


SURRENDER  TREE,  SCHUYLERVILLE. 

Burgoyne  yielded  to  the  Americans  wlien  he  signed  the  "Articles  of 
Convention  "  here  on  Oct.  i6,  1777,  and  between  this  tree  and  the  river 
the  British  laid  down  their  arms.  It  was  destroyed  by  fire  about  1890. 
The  formal  surrender  took  place  two  miles  south  on  Oct.  17th. 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUVLER.  333 

1777. 


that  he  had  sent  a  message  to  Gates,  in  order  to  make  such  a 
course  feasible,  saying"  he  had  heard  it  stated  that  he  had 
reduced  his  army  for  certain  good  reasons  (meaning'  to  rein- 
force the  fortifications  at  Albany)  since  they  had  begun  nego- 
tiating", and  he  had  made  the  request  that  before  he  decided 
to  sign  the  articles  he  be  allowed  to  send  two  officers  to  view  its 
size.  Gates  was  greatly  angered  at  this  delay,  and  Colonel 
Wilkinson  was  forthwith  dispatched  with  a  statement  on  the 
subject  that  sets  Burgoyne's  apprehension  at  rest,  and  when  the 
parley  continues  he  becomes  so  impatient  that  he  sends  word 
to  Burgoyne  that  he  must  either  sign  at  once  or  fight.  Riedesel 
and  Phillips  had  finally  convinced  Burgoyne  that  to  recede 
would  be  in  the  highest  degree  dishonorable.  Not  knowing 
what  determination  Burgoyne  is  arriving  at,  Gates  orders 
his  army  to  line  up  in  battle  array.  At  9  o'clock  Burgoyne 
descends  Prospect  Hill,  and  standing  beneath  a  tall  elm  growing 
beside  the  highway,  signs  the  Articles  of  Convention.  The 
important  docimient  is  then  taken  over  to  General  Gates  for 
his  signature,  Oct.  16. 

The  Articles  of  Convention,  being  the  surrender  of  the  British  to 
the  Americans  at  Saratoga  battlefield,  as  signed  the  morning  of 
this  day  by  Major-General  Horatio  Gates  and  Lieutenant- 
General  John  Burgoyne,  reads  as  follows :  "ARTICLES  OF 
CONVENTION  between  Lieutenant-General  Burgoyne  and 
Major-General  Gates.  I.  The  troops  under  Lieutenant-General 
Burgoyne.  to  march  out  of  their  camp  with  the  honors  of  war, 
and  the  artillery  of  the  intrenchments,  to  the  verge  of  the 
river  where  the  old  fort  stood,  where  the  arms  and  artillery 
are  to  be  left ;  the  arms  to  be  piled  by  word  of  command  from 
their  own  officers.  II.  A  free  passage  to  be  granted  to  the 
army  under  Lieutenant-General  Burgoyne  to  Great  Britain,  on 
condition  of  not  serving  again  in  North  America  during  the 
present  contest ;  and  the  port  of  Boston  is  assigned  for  the 
entry  of  transports  to  receive  the  troops  .whenever  General 
Howe  shall  so  order.  III.  Should  any  cartel  take  place,  by 
which  the  army  under  General  Burgoyne.  or  any  part  of  it. 
may  be  exchanged,  the  foregoing  article  to  be  void  as  far  as 
such  exchange  shall  be  made.  l\.  The  army  under  Lieutenant- 
General  Burgoyne,  to  march  to  Massachusetts  Bay,  by  the 
easiest,  most  expeditions  and  convenient  route ;  and  to  be 
quartered  in,  near,  or  as  convenient  as  possible  to  Boston,  that 
the  march  of  the  troops  n"iay  not  be  delayed  when  transports 
arrive  to  receive  them.     \'.   The  troops  to  be  su])])lied  on  their 


334  ai;raham  corxelis  cuvler.  No.  26. 


1777. 


march,  and  during  their  being  in  quarters,  with  provisions  by 
General  Gates'  orders  at  the  same  rate  of  rations  as  the  troops 
of  his  own  army;  and  if  possible,  the  officers'  horses  and 
cattle  are  to  be  supplied  witli  forage  at  the  usual  rates.  Yl. 
All  officers  to  retain  their  carriages,  batt-horses  and  other 
cattle,  and  no  baggage  to  be  molested  or  searched;  Lieutenant- 
General  Rurgoyne  giving  bis  honor  that  there  are  no  public 
stores  secreted  therein.  Major-General  Gates  Vv'ill,  of  course, 
take  the  necessary  measures  for  the  due  performance  of  this 
article.  Should  any  carriages  be  wanted  during  the  march  for 
the  transportation  of  officers"  baggage,  they  are,  if  possible,  to 
be  supplied  by  the  country  at  the  usual  rates.  \' II.  Upon  the 
march,  and  during  the  time  the  army  shall  remain  in  quarters 
in  Massachusetts  I>ay,  the  officers  are  not,  as  far  as  circum- 
stances will  admit,  to  be  separated  from  their  men.  The  officers 
are  to  be  quartered  according  to  rank,  and  are  not  to  be  hindered 
from  assembling  their  men  for  roll  call,  and  other  necessary 
purposes  of  regularity.  \"TII.  All  corps  whatever,  of  Lieuten- 
ant-General  Burgoyne's  army,  whether  composed  of  sailors, 
bateaumen,  artificers,  drivers,  independent  companies,  and  the 
followers  of  the  army,  of  whatever  country,  shall  be  included 
in  the  fullest  sense  and  utmost  extent  of  the  above  articles  and 
comprehended  in  every  respect  as  British  subjects.  IX.  All 
Canadians  and  persons  belonging  to  the  Canada  establishment, 
consisiting  of  sailors,  bateaumen,  artificers,  drivers,  independent 
companies,  and  any  other  followers  of  the  army,  who  come 
under  no  particular  description,  are  to  be  permitted  to  return 
there ;  they  are  to  be  conducted  immediately  by  the  shortest 
route  to  the  first  British  post  on  Lake  George,  are  to  be  supplied 
with  provisions  in  the  same  manner  as  the  other  troops,,  and 
are  to  be  bound  by  the  same  condition  of  not  serving  during 
the  present  contest  in  Xorth  America.  X.  Passports  to  be 
immediately  granted  for  three  officers,  not  exceeding  the  rank 
of  captain,  who  shall  be  appointed  by  Lieutenant-General  Bur- 
goyne,  to  carry  dispatches  to  Sir  William  Howe,  Sir  Guy  Carle- 
ton,  and  to  Great  Britain,  by  the  way  of  X'^ew  York ;  and 
Alajor-General  Gates  engages  the  public  faith,  that  these  dis- 
patches shall  not  be  opened.  These  officers  are  to  be  set  out 
immediately  after  receiving  their  dispatches,  and  are  to  travel 
the  shortest  and  in  the  most  expeditious  manner.  XL  During 
the  stay  of  the  troops  in  Massachusetts  Bay  the  officers  are  to 
be  admitted  on  parole,  and  are  to  be  allowed  to  wear  their 
side-arms.     XII.   Should   the   armv   under   Lieutenant-General 


Saratoga  Mcmumewt. 


SCHUYV.ERV*V.L£,»4.Y, 


SCHUYLERVILLE  MONUMENT. 

This  granite  obelisk,  154  ft.  high,  commemorates  the  battles  at 
Bemis  Heights  on  Sept.  19th,  at  Schuylerville  (Saratoga  in  1777)  on 
Oct.  7th,  and  surrender  of  British  under  Burgoyne  on  Oct.  17,  1777. 
Corner  stone  laid  on  the  centennial;  completed,  June,  1883:  base,  40  ft. 
Bronze  statue  in  east  niche  (left)  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  facing  the 
Hudson  and  his  home  that  Burgoyne  burned. 


I 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  335 

1777. 


Burgoyne  find  it  necessary  to  send  for  their  clothin^^  and  other 
baggage  to  Canada,  they  are  permitted  to  do  it  in  the  most 
convenient   manner,   and  the   necessary   passports   granted   for 
that  purpose.     XIII.  These  articles  are  to  be  mutually  signed 
and  exchanged  to-morrow   morning  at  nine   o'clock,  and   the 
troops  under  Lieutenant-General  Burgoyne  are  to  march  out  of 
their  intrenchments  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.     (  Signed  ) 
Horatio  Gates,  IMajor-General ;   (Signed)   J.   Burgoyne.   Lieu- 
tenant-General.    Saratoga,  Oct.  i6th,  1777."  Oct.  16. 
Charter  election  did  not  take  place  this  year  because  of  the  war  with 
Gt.  Britain.  Oct.   16. 
Kingston,  N.  Y.,  where  the  Legislature  had  been  holding  session;^ 
up  to  October  7th,  burned  by  the  British.  Oct.  16. 
General  Schuyler  at  Albany,  living  in  the  Schuyler  ]\Iansion  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  city,  has  all  the  news  brought  to  him  from 
Saratoga  in  order  to  follow  events.     Before  coming  here  his 
own  wife  had  applied  the  torch  to  the  fields  of  grain  at  their 
home  at  Schuylerville   (known  as  Saratoga)   in  order  that  no 
relief  might  be  afforded  the  enemy,  this  after  he  had  been  re- 
placed by  Gates,  and  the  British  had  burned  his  fine  country- 
place,  the  house,  barns,  granaries  and  stables,  the  result  of  years 
of  economy,  thought  and  solicitude.  Oct.  16. 
General  Schuyler  receives  the  news  of  surrender  while  at  Albany, 
and  about  to  depart  for  the  scene,  writes  to  Colonel  Yarick,  his 
former  secretary,  having  at  the  .same  time  learned  of  the  de- 
struction of  his  home  by  the  enemy :   "  The  event  that  has  taken 
place  makes  the  heavy  loss  I  have  sustained  sit  quite  easy  on 
me.     Britain  will  probably  see  how   fruitless  her  attempts  to 
enslave  us  will  be.     I  set  out  to-day."  Oct.  17. 
General  Schuyler  arrives  at  Saratoga  (Schuylerville,  his  home,)  and 
is  introduced  to  General  Burgoyne.      (What  transpired  is  best 
narrated  in  the  words  of  Burgoyne,  speaking  later  before  the 
House  of  Commons).     "I  expressed  to  General  Schuyler  my 
regret  at  the  event  which  had  happened,  and  the  reasons  which 
had  occasioned  it.     He  desired  me  to  think  no  more  of  it,  saying 
that  the  occasion   justified   it,  according  to  the   rules  of  war. 
*     *     *     He  did  more :  he  sent  his   aide-de-camp  to  conduct 
me  to  Albany,  in  order,  as  he  expressed  it,  to  procure  me  better 
quarters  than  a  stranger  might  be  able  to  find.     This  gentleman 
conducted  me  to  a  very  elegant  house,  and,  to  my  great  sur- 
prise, presented  me  to  IMrs.  Schuyler  and  her  family ;  and  in  this 
General's  house  I  remained  during  my  whole  stay  at  Albany, 
with  a  table  of  more  than  twenty  covers  for  me  and  my  friends, 
and  every  other  possible  demonstration  of  hospitality."   Oct.  17. 


336  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 

1777. 


As  soon  as  the  morning  breaks  on  this  important  day  in  American 
history,  fraught  with  so  great  direct  concern  to  Albany's  safety, 
Colonel  Wilkinson  arrives  at  Burgoyne's  tent.  He  has  been 
sent  by  Gates  to  wait  on  him  in  any  way  he  may  require,  as 
a  courtesy  of  military  life.  Dressed  in  showy  regimentals, 
Burgoyne  rides  with  him  on  horseback  to  select  a  place  at 
which  to  surrender  the  British  arms.  They  go  to  the  flats 
bordering  the  left  shore  of  the  Hudson  and  select  the  site 
of  the  ruins  of  Fort  Hardy,  which  had  been  built  in  1755. 
Burgoyne  asks  Wilkinson  whether  the  river  at  this  spot  is 
fordable,  and  is  told,  "  Certainly,  sir,  but  do  you  observe  the 
people  on  the  opposite  bank?"  If  Burgoyne  entertains  the 
idea  of  making  a  break  for  liberty  either  by  himself  or  upon 
his  army  coming  there  to  lay  down  their  arms,  taking  the 
.  Americans  off-guard,  he  dissuades  himself  of  such  a  scheme, 
and  wheels  his  charger  about,  Oct.  17. 

At  1 1  o'clock  the  British  army  marches  to  the  site  of  Fort  Hardy 
to  lay  down  their  arms.  There  is  to  be  no  scene  of  humiliation 
for  the  conquered.  Gates  has  ordered  all  Americans  to  stay 
away.  The  only  Americans  to  view  the  surrender  are  the  two 
aides  of  Gates,  Colonels  IMorgan  Lewis  and  James  Wilkinson. 
Many  of  the  men  are  in  tears,  some  kiss  their  muskets  ere 
they  place  them  in  rows  that  reach  from  Fish  Creek,  opposite 
Schuyler's  homestead,  northward  to  the  Marshall  house,  about 
two  miles,  while  others  purposely,  in  anger,  break  them,  kicking 
in  their  drum-heads  and  hurling  their  muskets  against  rocks. 
Of  the  scene  Lieutenant  Digby's  journal  says:  "As  to  my  own 
feelings,  I  cannot  express  them.  Tears  (though  unmanly) 
forced  their  way.  I  could  have  burst  to  give  myself  vent." 
Before  the  royal  army  is  ready  to  march  away,  Burgoyne  ex- 
presses the  desire  to  meet  the  American  general.  Colonel 
Wilkinson  departs  to  arrange  an  interview.  Meanwhile,  Bur- 
goyne bestows  scrupulous  attention  upon  his  toilet,  and  when 
he  emerges  from  his  tent  is  attired  in  full  court  costume,  his 
chapeau  astream  with  gorgeous  plumage.  On  the  other  hand, 
Gates  dons  his  simple,  blue  overcoat,  with  very  little  thereon 
to  indicate  his  rank.  Burgoyne,  with  his  entire  staff  and  his 
generals  with  their  suites  in  full  dress,  rides  with  Colonel  Wilk- 
inson to  the  head  of  the  American  camp,  where  they  are  met 
by  General  Gates.  Of  this  notable  presentation.  Colonel  Wilk- 
inson's description  is  as  follows :  "  When  they  approached 
nearly  within  sword's  length  they  reined  up  and  halted  ;  I  then 
named    the    gentleman    and    Burgoyne,    raising   his    hat    most 


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No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  2iZ7 


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gracefully,  said :  '  The  fortune  of  war.  General  Gates,  ha*^ 
made  me  your  prisoner ;"  to  which  the  conqueror  replied.  '  I  shall 
always  be  ready  to  bear  testimony  that  it  has  not  been  through 
any  fault  of  your  Excellency.'  Major-General  Phillips  then 
advanced  and  he  and  General  Gates  saluted  and  shook  hands. 
Next  Baron  Riedesel  and  the  other  officers  were  introduced  in 
their  turn,  and  as  soon  as  the  ceremony  was  concluded  I  left 
the  army  and  returned  to  the  British  camp."  ( It  is  also  reported 
that  on  General  Burgoyne  being  presented  to  General  Gates, 
the  latter  used  the  customary  English  greeting  of  the  day,  "  I 
am  very  happy  to  see  you,"  to  which  the  British  general  replied, 
"I  believe  you  are;  the  fortune  of  the  day  is  entirely  yours."') 
General  Philip  Schuyler,  who  had  ridden  hurriedly  up  from 
Albany,  has  been  among  those  to  receive  Burgoyne,  clad  in 
citizen's  costume,  and  he  is  presented,  as  are  the  officers  of 
General  Gates.  They  then  enter  the  marquee  of  the  American 
general  and  seat  themselves  at  dinner.  The  banquet  on  this 
occasion  is  served  upon  boards  laid  across  barrels ;  they  drink 
rum  mixed  with  water.  Burgoyne  proposes  a  toast  to  General 
Washington,  and  Gates  in  turn  courteously  asks  all  to  drink  to 
the  health  of  the  king.  The  conversation  following  is  uncon- 
strained and  even  jovial.  While  dinner  is  in  progress,  the 
British  army,  without  arms  and  on  its  way  to  the  seaboard, 
intending  to  make  Stillwater  before  dusk,  it  now  being  3 
o'clock,  is  heard  approaching.  The  American  army  is  drawn 
up  in  line  and  its  band  is  playing  "  Yankee  Doodle  "  with  much 
unfeigned  spirit.  Upon  a  staff  floats  a  flag  of  the  American 
colors,  adopted  by  the  Congress  on  June  14th  of  this  year,  and 
improvised  as  an  earliest  use  of  them,  from  pieces  taken 
from  the  coats  of  the  officers  the  day  before,  that  the  victorious 
army  might  not  be  without  its  national  flag.  By  a  precon- 
certed arrangement.  Generals  Burgoyne  and  Gates  step  out 
from  the  marquee  and  in  the  presence  of  the  two  armies.  Bur- 
goyne draws  his  sword  and  presents  it  to  General  Gates.  He 
receives  it  with  a  courteous  bow,  and  returns  it  to  General 
Burgoyne.     The  surrender  is  consummated.  Oct.  17. 

In  the  evening  (it  is  related,  1900,  by  John  W.  Koons  of  Quaker 
Springs,  Saratoga  county,  a  grandson  of  the  participant)  Bur- 
goyne slept  in  a  tent  at  Wilbur's  Basin,  with  Jacob  Koons  as 
sentinel.  Koons  was  a  Dutchman  by  descent,  born  in  Dutchess 
county  and  married  to  Polly  Wheeler  of  Brunswick,  Rensselaer 
county.  He  had  been  captured  in  an  earlier  engagement  in 
Canada,  and  recalling  how   I'urgovne  had  made  the  American 


3^8  ABRAHAM  CORNELIS  CUYLER.  No.  26. 


1777. 


prisoners  watch  his  army  on  parade  and  had  told  them  they 
were  to  eat  their  Christmas  cHnner  and  make  merry  at  Albany, 
he  embraces  the  opportunity  as  he  patrols  apast  the  entrance 
to  the  tent,  to  stick  his  head  in  and  ask  the  general  about  his 
vaunting'  promise,  Oct.  17. 

General  Schuyler's  attitude  the  day  of  the  surrender  is  well  described 
by  the  wife  of  the  German  General  Riedesel,  who  accompanied 
her  husband  with  their  three  children  and  wrote  a  very  readable 
account  of  the  happenings  of  that  important  day :  "  In  the  pas- 
sage through  the  American  camp,  I  observed  with  great  satis- 
faction, that  no  one  cast  scornful  glances.  On  the  contrary, 
they  all  greeted  me,  even  showing  compassion  on  their  counte- 
nances at  seeing  a  mother  with  her  little  children  in  such  a  situ- 
ation. I  confess  that  I  feared  to  come  into  the  enemy's  camp, 
as  the  thing  was  so  entirely  new  to  me.  When  I  approached 
the  tents,  a  noble  looking  man  came  toward  me,  took  the  chil- 
dren out  of  the  wagon,  embraced  and  kissed  them,  and  then 
with  tears  in  his  eyes  helped  me  also  to  alight.  '  You  tremble,' 
said  he  to  me  ;  '  fear  nothing.'  '  No,'  replied  I,  '  for  you  are 
so  kind  and  have  been  so  tender  toward  my  children,  that  it 
has  inspired  me  with  courage.'  He  then  led  me  to  the  tent  of 
General  Gates,  with  whom  I  found  Generals  Burgoyne  and 
Phillips,  who  were  upon  an  extremely  friendly  footing  with 
him.  Burgoyne  said  to  me,  '  You  may  now  dismiss  all  your 
apprehensions,  for  your  sufferings  are  at  an  end.'  *  *  *  All 
the  generals  remained  to  dine  with  General  Gates.  The  man 
who  had  received  me  so  kindly  came  up  and  said  to  me,  '  It  may 
be  embarrassing  to  you  to  dine  with  all  these  gentlemen ;  come 
now  with  your  children  into  my  tent,  where  I  will  give  you,  it 
is  true,  a  frugal  meal,  but  one  that  will  be  accompanied  by  the 
best  of  wishes.'  '  You  are  certainly,'  answered  I,  '  a  husband 
and  a  father,  since  you  show  me  so  much  kindness.'  I  then 
learned  that  he  was  the  American  General  Schuyler.  He  enter- 
tained me  with  excellent  smoked  tongue,  beef  steaks,  potatoes, 
good  butter  and  bread.  Never  have  I  eaten  a  better  meal.  I 
was  content.  *  *  *  As  soon  as  we  had  finished  dinner  he 
invited  me  to  make  my  residence  at  his  house,  which  was  situ- 
ated in  Albany,  and  told  me  that  General  Burgoyne  should  be 
there."  Oct.  17. 

By  the  surrender,  the  Americans  acquire  at  a  critical  time  an  excel- 
lent train  of  brass  artillery,  consisting  of  42  guns  of  various 
calibre ;  4,647  muskets  ;  400  sets  of  harness,  together  with  much 
ammunition.     At  this  time  Gates  was  in  command  over  17,091 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORXKLIS    CLVLER.  339 


1777. 


effective  militia  men  and  9.093  Continentals,  making  a  total 
of  over  25,000  men  and  a  startling  increase  over  the  2,000 
soldiers  that  had  been  sent  to  General  Schu3'lcr  to  make  the 
same  campaign.  The  British  troops  surrendering  number  5,804 
men,  Oct.  18. 

Committee  of  Safety  at  Albany  resolves :  "  That  the  Quarter  ^Master 
and  the  Committee  appointed  to  take  the  Lead  out  of  the  Win- 
dows do  immediatelv  enter  upon  that  necessary  business." 

Oct.  18. 

General  Burgoyne,  General  Riedesel,  his  wife  with  their  three  chil- 
dren, and  several  others  of  their  party,  arrive  at  Albany  and 
are  escorted  to  the  Schuyler  Mansion.  General  Riedesel's 
wife's  account,  as  written  by  her,  is  as  follows :  "  We  arrived 
at  Albany,  where  we  had  so  often  longed  to  be.  But  we  came 
not,  as  we  supposed  we  should,  as  victors !  We  were,  neverthe- 
less, received  in  the  most  friendly  manner  by  the  good  General 
Schuyler,  and  by  his  wife  and  daughters,  who  showed  us  the 
most  marked  courtesy,  as  also  General  Burgoyne.  although  he 
had  —  without  any  necessity,  it  was  said  —  caused  their  mag- 
nificently built  houses  to  be  burned.  But  they  treated  us  as 
people  who  knew  how  to  forget  their  own  losses  in  the  mis- 
fortunes of  others.  Even  General  Burgoyne  was  deeply  moved 
at  their  magnanimity,  and  said  to  General  Schuyler,  '  Is  it  to 
me,  who  have  done  you  so  much  injury,  that  you  show  so  much 
kindness?'  'That  is  the  fate  of  war/  replied  the  brave  man; 
'  let  us  say  no  more  about  it.'  "  Oct.  18. 

De  Chastellux  relates:  ''The  British  commander  (Burgoyne)  was 
well  received  by  Mrs.  Schuyler,  and  lodged  in  the  best  apart- 
ment in  the  house.  An  excellent  supper  was  served  him  in  the 
evening,  the  honors  of  which  were  done  with  so  much  grace 
that  he  was  affected  even  to  tears,  and  said  with  a  deep  sigh, 
'  Indeed,  this  is  doing  too  much  for  a  man  who  has  ravaged 
their  lands  and  burned  their  dwellings.'  "  Oct.  18. 

In  the  morning,  while  Burgoyne  and  his  party  were  visitors  at  the 
Schuyler  Mansion,  De  Chastellux  relates,  in  speaking  of  the 
commander  of  the  British  forces,  "  He  was  reminded  of  his 
misfortunes  by  an  incident  that  would  have  amused  anyone  else. 
His  bed  was  prepared  in  a  large  room ;  but  as  he  had  a  numer- 
ous suite,  or  family,  several  mattresses  were  spread  on  the  floor 
for  some  officers  to  sleep  near  him.  Schuyler's  second  son 
(Philip  J.),  a  little  fellow  about  nine  years  old,  very  arch  and 
forward,  but  very  amiable,  was  running  all  the  morning  about 
the   house.     Opening   the    door    of    the    saloon,    he   burst    out 


340  ABRAHAM    CORNELIS    CUYLER.  No.  26. 

1777. 

a-laughing  on  seeing  all  the  English  collected,  and  shut  it  after 
him,  exclaiming,  '  You  are  all  my  prisoners !'  This  innocent 
cruelty  rendered  them  more  melancholy  than  before."     Oct.  19. 

Alexander  Hamilton  visits  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  at  the  Mansion  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  city,  to  consult  about  taking  part  of 
General  Gates'  army  away  to  help  General  Washington,  Gates 
at  this  time  being  advised  by  his  own  friends  to  try  and  super- 
sede Washington,  using  the  popularity  of  his  victory  to  progress 
his  object,  and  he  now  meets  General  Schuyler's  daughter, 
Elizabeth,  (whom  he  later  marries)  for  the  first  time,    October. 

News  is  received  in  Albany  of  the  burning  by  the  British  of  the  old 
original  stone  Manor  House  of  the  Livingston  family  at  Cler- 
mont, because  they  had  been  strong  advocates  of  American 
liberty.  Chancellor  Robert  R.  Livingston  being  one  of  five  to 
draft  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  October. 

General  Gates  is  made  president  of  the  Board  of  War  and  Ordnance, 
"  a  position,"  says  the  Century  Encyclopedia  of  Names,  "  which 
he  used  to  further  an  intrigue  with  the  clique  known  as  the 
'  Conway  Cabal,'  consisting  of  Thomas  Conway  and  others,  to 
supplant  Washington  in  the  chief  command  of  the  army." 

November. 

Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  seeks  exoneration  or  condemiia^ion  at  the 
hands  of  the  Congress  respecting  his  career  at  the  head  of  the 
Army  of  the  North,  particularly  in  regard  to  his  conduct  of 
the  Ticonderoga  campaign,  and  his  request  reads :  "  When  a 
man  of  sentiment  labouring  under  odious  and  injurious  suspi- 
cions has  in  prospect  a  period  which  promises  to  afford  him  re- 
lief and  restore  quiet  to  his  mind,  it  is  natural  that  he  should 
anxiously  wish  for  its  arrival.  The  conviction  of  a  good  and  a 
clear  conscience  leaves  not  a  doubt  in  my  mind  that  the  result 
of  the  inquiry  into  my  conduct  will  have  that  effect  and  restore 
me  to  the  full  confidence  of  such  of  my  honest  countrymen  as 
have  been  led  away  by  popular  clamor,  and  that  I  shall  stand 
confessed  the  sincere  and  affectionate  friend  of  my  country. 
Congress  will  therefore  pardon  me  if  I  am  importunate  on  this 
subject.  1  have  suffered  so  much  in  public  life  that  it  cannot 
create  surprise  if  I  anxiously  wish  to  retire  and  pay  that  atten- 
tion to  my  private  affairs,  which  the  losses  I  have  sustained  by 
the  enemy  and  the  derangement  occasioned  by  devoting  all  my 
time  to  the  duties  of  my  office  have  occasioned,  and  yet  the  im- 
propriety of  resigning  them  before  the  inquiry  has  taken  place 
or  the  committee  reported  my  innocence,  is  too  striking  to  need 
dwelling  on."  December. 


MADAM  RIEDESEL. 


GENERAL   BURGOVNE. 


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SCHUYLER  MANSION  GUESTS. 

General  Burgoyne,  Madam  Riedesel,  Lady  Harriet  Ackland,  and  many  others 
of  prominence  in  the  British  commander's  party,  while  on  their  way  to  the  seaboard 
were  entertained  by  Mrs.  Philip  Schuyler  in  their  Mansion  at  head  of  Schuyler  St., 
Oct.  i8,  1777. 


I 


No.  26.  ABRAHAM    CORXELIS    CUVLER.  34I 

1778. 

1778. 

The  Legislature  convenes  at  Poughkeepsie  and  completes  organiza- 
tion of  the  State  governinent,  January. 

Legislature  passes  an  act  to  allow  the  citizens   to   reorganize  the 

municipal  government,  it  having  lost  its  power  of  its  perpetuity 

.     by  the  institution  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  Protection  and 

Correspondence,  entitled  "  An  Act  to  remove  doubts  concerning 

the  corporation  of  the  city  of  Albany  "  Feb.  17. 

\'olckert  Petrus  Douw,  a  former  Mayor,  represents  the  Congress 
at  the  Council  held  at  Jamestown  to  secure  co-operation  of  the 
Six  Nations,  or  at  least  neutrality,  March. 

The  Americans,  realizing  that  the  British  must  be  prevented  from 
coming  up  the  Hudson  or  they  will  be  able  to  carry  all  befor>i 
them,  Albany,  the  Mohawk  Valley  and  the  entire  route  to  Mon- 
treal, fortify  West  Point  and  make  that  the  line  of  demarcation 
that  must  not  be  passed.  The  river  being  confined  by  the 
rocky  Constitution  Island  to  a  width  of  only  1.400  feet,  it 
had  been  decided  to  throw  a  mammoth  iron  chain  from  shore 
to  shore.  It  was  made  at  Peter  Townsend's  Sterling'  Iron 
Works  in  Orange  county  and  weighed  70,000  lbs.  On  this  dav 
the  work  (occupying  two  weeks)  of  placing  it  in  position  com- 
menced, April  16. 

John  Barclay,  having  a  commission  under  the  great  seal  of  the 
state  of  New  York,  appointing  him  Mayor,  clerk  of  the  market 
and  coroner  of  the  city,  is  sworn,  taking  the  oath  of  office  as 
prescribed  by  the  Charter,  April    17. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  John  Price,  John  Roorbach,  I. 
Jacob  Lansing,  Jun.,  Abraham  Cuyler.  II.  John  AI.  Beeckman, 
Harmanus  A\"endell.  III.  This  board  elected  at  close  of  war 
with  Gt.  Britain  (to  serve  until  regular  fall  election).    Election. 

April  17. 
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No.   27. 
April  17,  1778  — April  8,  1779. 


No.  27. 
JOHN    BARCLAY. 

Date  of  office:     April  17,  1778-April  8,  1779. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  George  Clinton. 

Place  of  birth:     St.  Peter's  Rectory. 

Parents:     Rev.  Thomas  (B.)  and  Anne  Dorothea  Drauyer. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     Margaret  Ten  Eyck. 

Date:     September  8.  1771. 

Children:     None. 

Religion:     Episcopalian. 

Date  of  death:     1779. 

Remarks:  First  Mayor  appointed  under  State  authority.  First 
President  City  and  County  Committee  of  Correspondence 
and  Safety,  1774-79.  Zealous,  patriotic,  exercised  good  judg- 
ment. 


Ko.Zy.  JOHN    liARCLAV.  345 

1778. 

(Continued  from  No.  26.) 
1778. 


John  Barclay  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  x'Vlbany,  to  succeed  Abraham 
CorneHs  Cuyler,  having  been  commissioned  by  Gov.  George 
Clinton,  April  17. 

Newspapers  of  the  day  bristling  with  advertisements  of  slaves  for 
sale. 

•Common  Council  establishes  by  ordinance  the  selling-price  at  which 
city  taverns,  inns,  ordinaries  and  ale-houses  may  sell,  designat- 
ing: "Good  West  India  Rum,  genuine  French  brandy,  Hol- 
land Geneva,  Lisbon.  Sherry,  Port,  red  and  white  Mountain 
French  Claret  common  sort,  French  white  Wine,  Spanish  red 
Wine,  Rhenish,  at  10  shillings  per  quart,  and  one  shilling  and 
four  pence  per  gill,  ''•  *  *  Strong  Beer  and  Cyder  brewed  or 
made  in  tliis  state,  one  sliilling  per  quart."  The  same  ordinance 
also  established  other  rates  for  the  taverns  ( as  hotels  were 
then  called  ) ,  such  as  price  for  a  breakfast,  2  shillings  ;  dinner, 
3  shillings  and  six  pence  ;  for  stabling  horse  one  niglit.  2  shil- 
lings ;  for  rooming  man  or  woman  one  night,    1    shilling, 

April  25. 

The  work  of  stretching  the  mammoth  iron  chain,  that  had  been 
made  at  the  Sterling  Iron  Works  of  Peter  Townsend  (of 
Albany)  in  Orange  county,  across  the  Hudson  River,  from 
West  Point  to  Constitution  Island,  completed  to-day.  Placing 
it  from  shore  to  shore,  buoyed  by  huge  logs,  had  commenced 
on  April  i6th.  The  river  is  confined  here  to  a  width  of  1,400 
feet,  and  to  allow  for  sagging  the  chain  was  made  1,700  feet 
long.  Each  link,  of  2^  inch  iron  bars,  was  30^^^  inches  long 
with  26  inches  hole,  and  the  whole  weighing  70,000  lbs.,  or  35 
tons.  The  idea  was  to  keep  the  British  fleet  from  ]M-oceeding 
up  the  Hudson  to  Albany,  April  30. 

In  a  private  letter  to  Colonel  Varick,  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  says :  "  I 
thank  you  for  your  favor  by  Mr.  Fonda  &  for  the  intelligence 
you  have  given  me  —  I  had  a  hint  some  time  ago,  that  Gates 
would  take  command  in  the  highlands  as  soon  as  all  was  pre- 
pared ;  he  has  the  luck  of  reaping  harvests  sown  by  others." 

Saratoga.  May  3. 

Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  being  informed  by  letter  from  General 
Stark  that  the  troops  at  Albany  are  ordered  to  Fishkill,  the 
Common  Council  meets  and  frames  a  letter  to  General  Stark 
stating  that  through  the  number  of  its  men  already  away  on 


346  JOHN   BARCLAY.  No.  27. 

1778. 

duty  it  would  not  be  safe  to  leave  the  city  protected  by  only 
150  militia,  particularly  as  there  were  more  than  loo  prisoners 
to  watch,  10  of  them  condemned  to  death,  and  a  second  letter  is 
prepared  to  send  to  General  Gates,  telling  him  that  there  are  so 
many  men  left  behind  from  General  Burgoyne's  vanquished 
army,  deserters  with  no  means  of  support,  that  robberies  of  fre- 
quency demand  the  maintenance  of  at  least  the  regular  body, 
not  to  speak  of  the  necessity  of  haying  the  men  prepare  their 
crops  lest  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  be  without  food, —  "  If  the 
British  prisoners  could  be  moved  to  another  place  it  would 
break  up  the  connection  which  is  now  apprehended  is  kept  up 
between  them,  the  Tories  and  Negroes.'"  May  20. 

Philip  Livingston,  Signer  of  Declaration  as  Alember  of  Congress 
from  New  York,  and  the  father  of  Patroon  Stephen  Van  Rens- 
selaer's wife,  Catherine,  ( b.  at  N.  W.  corner  State  and  Pearl 
streets),  dies  at  York,  Pa.,  Jwne  12. 

George  Clinton  presides  at  the  convention  being  held  at  Pough- 
keepsie  for  deliberating  on  the  federal  constitution,  which  he 
does  not  think  safeguards  the  sovereignty  of  each  state, 

June  17. 

Common  Council's  reciuest  to  allcjw  the  local  militia  to  remain  in  the 
city  is  not  granted,  and  the  troops  are  sent  to  Fishkill,       June. 

Chancellor  Robert  R.  Livingston's  widowed  mother  rebuilds  the 
Manor  House  at  Clermont  that  had  been  burned  by  the  British 
in  October  1777,  making  use  of  the  same  stone  walls,  July. 

Inhabitants  of  Albany  discouraged  by  the  news  that  a  large  part, 
possibly  2,000  men,  of  the  Continental  army  is  to  be  quartered 
here  for  the  winter,  realizing  that  the  men  of  the  city  and 
county  having  been  in  the  armies  had  had  no  chance  to  work 
for  their  families  or  operate  their  farms,  the  Common  Council 
writes  to  Gov.  George  Clinton :  "  From  this  state  of  Facts  we 
beg  leave  to  inform  your  Excellency  that  however  willing  we 
have  alwa3's  been  and  still  are  to  risk  our  all  in  supporting  the 
Freedom  and  Independence  of  our  Blessed  Country,  yet  it  is 
our  earnest  request  (and  we  deem  it  no  more  than  reasonable) 
that  in  the  distribution  of  the  Troops  for  Winter  Quarters,  due 
respect  may  be  had  to  the  former  distresses  and  present  suffer- 
ings of  the  Inhabitants  of  Albany."  September. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council:  John  Price,  John  Roorbach,  I. 
John  Ja.  Beeckman,  John  N.  Bleecker,  II.  John  M.  Beeckman, 
Samuel  Stringer,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in,     Oct.  14. 

The  Colonial  Congress  acquits  General  Schuyler  of  any  bad  judg- 
ment   in   his   conduct   of   the   campaign   against    Burgoyne    in 


CHAIN  ACROSS  HUDSON. 

Three  of  the  huge  iron  links  of  the  chain  made  at  SterHng  Iron  Works 
of  Peter  Townsend,  gt. -grandfather  of  Mayor  FrankHn  Townsend,  each  2/^ 
inches  thick,  30  inches  long;  length  1,700  ft.  Stretched  shore  to  shore  on  April 
30,  1778. 


No.  27-  JOHN    BARCLAY.  347 

1778-1779. 

northern  New  York,  acknowledges  that  he  had  exhibited  no 
lack  of  energy  and  had  shown  but  sagacity  and  valor  in  all  he 
had  done,  the  court-martial  that  he  had  requested,  acquitting 
him  on  every  count,  and  Congress  approving  the  verdict  "  with 
the  highest  honor."  December. 


1779. 


Stage  line  to  New  York  city  charging"  ten  dollars  each  person. 

Rensselaerswyck  subdivided  into  east  and  west  districts,     March  5. 

Cen.  Philip  Schuyler  having  sent  in  his  resignation  after  the  fullest 
manner  of  exoneration  by  the  Congress,  John  Jay  writes  to 
him :  "  Congress  has  refused  to  accept  your  resignation. 
Twelve  states  were  represented.  New  England  and  Pennsyl- 
vania against  you.  The  delegates  of  the  latter  are  new  men 
and  not  free  from  the  influence  of  the  former.  From  New 
York  south  you  have  fast  friends.  *  *  *  Were  I  in  your 
situation  I  should  not  hesitate  a  moment  to  continue  in  the 
service.  I  have  the  best  authority  to  assure  you  that  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief wishes  you  to  retain  your  comnnssion.  The 
propriety  of  your  resignation  is  now  out  of  the  question.  Those 
laws  of  honor  which  might  have  required  it  are  satisfied.  Are 
you  certain  they  do  not  demand  a  contrary  conduct?  You  have 
talents  to  render  you  conspicuous  in  the  field ;  and  address  to 
conciliate  the  affections  of  those  who  may  wish  you  ill.  Both 
these  circumstances  are  of  worth  to  your  family,  and,  inde- 
pendent of  public  considerations,  argue  forcibly  for  the  army. 
Gather  laurels  for  the  sake  of  your  country  and  your  children. 
You  can  leave  them  also  the  reputation  of  being  descended 
from  an  incontestably  great  man  —  a  man  who,  uninfluenced 
by  the  ingratitude  of  his  country,  was  unremitted  in  his  ex- 
ertions to  promote  her  happiness.  You  have  hitherto  been  no 
stranger  to  these  sentiments,  and  therefore  I  forbear  to  en- 
large." jMarch. 

Captain  Machin  engaged  in  taking  a  water  level  between  Albany 
and  Schenectady,  with  the  idea  of  supplying  this  city  by  means 
of  an  aqueduct,  which  design  he  submits  to  the  Common 
Council. 

Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck  is  appointed  the  ]\layor  of  Albany  by 
Governor  George  Clinton  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

*         •         • 

(See  No.  28.) 


I 


No.  28. 


Abraham  ©ralrn^k 


April  9,  1779  —  Jvine  26,  1783. 
Oct.  15,  1796  -  Dec.  31,  1798. 


No.  28. 
ABRAHAM  TEN  BROECK. 

Date  of  office:     (a)   April  9,  1779-June  26,  1783. 

(b)   October  15,  1796-December  31,  1798. 

Date  of  appointment:     (a) 

(b)    September  29,  1796. 

Appointed  by:     (a)   Governor  George  Clinton, 
(b)   Governor  John  Jay. 

Date  of  birth:     May  13,  1734. 

Place  of  birth:     Albany. 

Parents:     Dirck  (T.  B. — 21st  Mayor)  and  ^vlargarita  Cuyler. 

Education:     Good  schooling  in  New  York  city. 

Married  to:     Elizabeth  A'an  Rensselaer. 

Date:     November  i,  1763. 

Children:  (5-1  s.  4  d.)  Dirck  (b.  1765,  m.  Cornelia  Stuyvesant), 
Elizabeth  ( 1765-7),  Elizabeth  (b.  1772,  m.  Rensselaer  Schuy- 
ler), Margarita  (1776),  Maria  Van  Rensselaer  (1779). 

Residence:     (a)    Northwest  corner  Columbia  street  and  Broadway, 
(b)   West  side  Ten  Broeck  street,  north  of  Third  street. 

Occupation:     Lawyer.     Banker. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     January  19,  18 10. 

Place  of  death:     No.  9  Ten  Broeck  place. 

Place  of  burial :     \'ault  in  rear  ;  later  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     General. 

Remarks:  Member  of  Colonial  Assembly,  1760-65.  Member  of 
Provincial  Congress,  x\pri]  20,  1775.  Delegate  to  Continen- 
tal Congress  at  Philadelphia,  May,  1775.  Colonel  of  militia, 
October  20,  1775.  General,  January,  1776.  Brigadier- 
General,  1776-March  26,  1781.  President  State  Convention, 
1776.  President  of  Committee  of  Safety,  December,  1776. 
State  Senator,  1780-83.  Justice  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
1781-94.  President  Bank  of  Albany,  1792-98.  Member 
Committee  of  Safety.  Zealous,  able,  courageous,  patriotic. 
Trustee  for  Patroon  Stephen  \'an  Rensselaer  16  years. 


28.     ABRAHAM  TEN  BROECK. 
1779-83;   1796-98. 
From  the  oil  painting  presented  to  the  city  of  Albany  by  Mr.  Frederic  P. 
Olcott  of  New  York  city. 


No.  28.  AI'.KAIIA.M     ll'.X     liROKCK.  35I 

1779-1780. 


Continued  from  No.  ij) . 
1779. 


Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck  is  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  suc- 
ceeding John  Barclay,  having  lieen  appointed  by  Gov.  George 
-    Clinton,  April  9. 

Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  having  pressed  his  resignation  from  military 
life,  it  is  accepted  and  he  takes  his  seat  as  a  delegate  to  the 
Continental  Congress,  April. 

Legislature  holds  an  important  session  at  Kingston,  August. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council:  John  Price,  John  Roorbach,  1. 
John  Ja.  Beeckman,  John  N.  Bleecker,  II.  Samuel  Stringer, 
John  M.  Beeckman,  III.    Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in,   Oct.  14. 

Senate  and  Assembly,  in  session  at  Kingston,  pass  a  resolution  that 
the  Legislature  when  it  next  convenes  assemble  at  Albany, 

Oct.  25. 

Gov.  George  Clinton  proclaims  a  meeting  of  the  Legislature  to  be 
held  on  Jan.  4th  at  Albany,  Dec.  i. 


1780. 


First  meeting  of  the  State  Legislature  to  be  held  at  Albany,  which 
had  been  set  for  January  4th  by  Governor  Clinton,  but  post- 
poned by  heav)^  snows,  convenes  at  the  City  Hall  and  Court 
House  at  the  northeast  corner  of  So.  Market  street  (Broadway) 
and  Hudson  (avenue)  street,  Jan.  27. 

Mohawk  valley  devastated  by  the  Six  Nations  under  Brant. 

Shakers  located  at  Niskayuna,  west  of  the  city  a  few  miles,  now 
agree  to  give  testimony  in  public  when  called  upon  to  do  so. 

The  first  Legislative  session  held  in  Albany  decides  on  its  first  ad- 
journment. March  14. 

Schuyler  Alansion  in  the  south  jxirt  of  the  city,  l)rilliantly  illumi- 
nated in  the  evening  on  announcement  that  New  York  State 
had  ratified  at  Poughkcepsie  the  American  Constitution,  which 
ni  parts  had  been  drafted  in  one  of  the  rooms  of  this  house 
by  Alexander  Hamilton,  July  29. 

General  Gates  totally  defeated  by  Lord  Cornwallis  at  Camden,  S.  C, 
(soon  to  be  superseded  by  General  Greene),  Aug.  16. 


352  ABR.\HAM    TEN    BROECK.  No.  28. 


1780-1781. 


Major  John  Andre  (b.  London,  1751)  is  rowed  to  the  shore  from 
the  Vnlture  and  makes  arrangements  near  Stony  Point  on  the 
Hudson,  as  representati\'e  of  Sir  Henry  CHnton,  with  Gen. 
Benedict  Arnold  of  the  /Vmerican  army,  for  the  surrender  of 
West  Point,  and  talking  till  midnight  they  repair  to  the  house 
of  Joshua  Hett  Smith  for  further  consultation,  Sept.  21. 

Major  Andre  arrested  as  a  spy  by  John  Paulding,  David  Williams 
and  Isaac  Van  Wart,  on  his  returning,  when  half  a  mile  north 
of  Tarrytown,  and  in  his  boots  are  found  papers  that  reveal  the 
defence  of  West  Point  and  positions  to  be  occupied  in  case  of 
attack.     Fruitlessly  he  offers  much  money  to  be  liberated, 

Sept.  23. 

Benedict  Arnold  learns  of  the  discovery  of  his  plans  to  have  the 
British  capture  West  Point  and  General  Washington  and  hur- 
liedly  bidding  adieu  to  his  fainting  wife,  hastens  to  the  Vulture 
and  sails  off  down  the  Hudson,  Sept.  24. 

Major  Andre,  having  been  tried  and  appeals  made  to  spare  him,  {; 
executed  as  a  British  spy,  at  Tappan,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  2. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  John  Roorbach,  Peter  W 
Yates,  I.  John  Ja.  Beeckman,  John  N.  Bleecker,  H.  Samuel 
Stringer,  John  Ten  P>roeck,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 

Alexander  Hamilton  and  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuy- 
ler, married  at  the  Schuyler  Mansion  in  southern  part  of  the 
city,  Dec.   [4. 


1781. 


Legislative  session  held  a  second  time  in  this  city,  convening  in  the 
City  Hall  on  So.  Market  street  (Broadway),  Jan.  17. 

George  W^ashington  acts  as  godfather  (so  it  is  narrated)  of  Cathe- 
rine Van  Rensselaer  Schuyler,  daughter  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler 
and  Catherine  Van  Rensselaer ;  godmother,  Mrs.  Washington, 
the  baptism  performed  by  Dominie  Eilardus  Westerlo,  recorded 
as  performed  in  the  register  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 
standing  in  the  centre  of  Yonkers  (State)  street  a  little  west 
of  its  intersection  with  Market  (Broadway)  street.       March  4. 

Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  appointed  State  surveyor-general,     March  30. 

The  second  Legislative  session  ever  held  in  this  city  adjourns, 

March  31. 


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ANDRfi  PASS  AND  PORTRAIT. 

Gen.  Benedict  Arnold  issued  a  pass  to  Maj.  John  Andre  of  the  British  Army  in 
name  of  "  John  Anderson,"  on  Sept.  22,  1780,  in  order  to  protect  his  return,  after 
his  purchase  of  plans  of  West  Point's  defences.  Andre  was  halted  by  Paulding, 
Williams  and  Van  Wart,  north  of  Tarrytown,  Sept.  23rd  ;  papers  discovered  in  stock- 
ings ;  tried,  and  executed  as  a  spy  at  Tappan,  Oct.  2nd.  Pen  sketch  made  of  himself 
night  before  death. 


HAMILTON'S  MARRIAGE  IN  SCHUYLER  MANSION. 

Alexander  Hamilton  married  Gen.  Philip  Schus'ler's  daughter,  Elizabeth,  in  the 
drawing-room  of  her  father's  mansion  on  Dec.  14,  1780.  They  met  here  when  Hamilton 
was  consulting  with  Schuyler  and  it  was  while  his  guest  that  he  framed  parts  of  the 
Constitution. 


No.  28.  ABRAHAM    TEX     liKOECK.  353 

1781-1782. 


Mother  Ann  Lee,  head  of  th.c  Shaker  settlement  at  Xiskayuna,  to 
the  west  of  Alhany  a  few  miles,  sets  out  with  her  followers  for 
Harvard  on  a  missionary  tour. 

Rumor  circulated  for  some  weeks  that  the  Ih-itish  intended  to  hurn 
Albany  and  carry  ofif  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  Col.  Philip  \'an 
Rensselaer  and  Col.  Peter  Gansevoort,  as  prisoners.  A  band 
of  Tories,  Canadians  and  Indians  break  into  the  Schuyler  Man- 
sion. General  Schuyler,  with  family,  seated  in  the  evening  ir 
the  front  hall  with  doors  open  on  account  of  the  extreme  heat,  is 
apprised  of  a  person  to  see  him  at  the  back  gate.  The  doors 
and  windows  are  immediately  barred ;  but  are  broken  in,  and 
the  family  rush  upstairs.  Discovering  that  the  infant,  Catherine 
Van  R.  Schuyler,  the  godchild  of  Washington,  had  been  for- 
gotten, asleep  on  the  main  floor,  Mrs.  Schuyler  would  rush  back 
to  save  it,  but  the  General  intercepts,  and  the  child's  sister, 
Margaret  (who  later  marries  Patroon  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer) 
rushes  wdth  the  sleeping  babe  only  in  time  to  escape  up  the 
stairs,  wdiile  the  Indian  tomahawk  misses  its  human  mark  and 
buries  its  blade  in  the  balustrade.  General  Schuyler  suddenly 
opens  a  door  and  trying  a  subterfuge,  shouts :  "  Come  on,  my 
brave  fellows !  Surround  the  damn'd  rascals,"  whereupon 
Walter  Meyer  collects  his  men  and  they  beat  a  precipitate  re- 
treat, Aug.  7. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Peter  W.  Yates,  John  Price.  I. 
John  Ja.  Beeckman,  John  Hansen,  II.  Thomas  Hun,  Abraham 
Schuyler,   III.     Election,   Sept.  29;   sworn  in,  Oct.   14. 


1782. 


Church  services  held  in  Dutch  language  only  until  this  year. 

Aaron  Burr  (b.  Newark,  Feb.  6,  1756,  and  who  mortally  wounded 
Alexander  Hamilton  in  a  duel  at  Weehawken,  N.  J.,  on  July  1 1, 
1804)  opens  a  law^  office  on  the  north  side  of  Norton  street,  the 
second  door  east  of  So.  Pearl  street. 

Creditors  of  the  United  States  hold  a  session  here. 

Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  (third  of  that  name)  having  left  Princeton 
because  the  British  interrupted  the  continuation  of  the  college 
course,  at  the  age  of  18  graduates  at  Harvard. 

Bank  of  Albany,  the  first  organized  in  the  city,  with  a  capital  of 
$75,000,  opened,  July  Kk 

First  issue  of  "The  New  York  Gazetteer,  or  Northern  Intelli- 
gencer," by  Solomon  Southwick  and  Charles  R.  Webster. 


354  ABRAHAM    TEN    BROECK.  No.  28. 


1782-1783,  1796. 


Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Cornells  Cuyler,  Peter  W. 
Yates.  I.  John  Ja.  Beeckman,  Philip  van  Rensselaer,  II. 
Thomas  Hun,  Abraham  Schuyler,  III  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.   14. 


1783. 


Lord  Stirliiii;-,  prominent  figure  in  the  American  Revolution,  (known 
commonly  as  William  Alexander)  dies  in  this  city,  aged  57, 
having  been  born  in  New  York  city  and  considered  the  rightful 
heir  to  title  and  estates  of  an  earldom  in  Scotland;  major- 
general  in  the  United  States  service,  Jan.  15. 

Andrew  Elliott  of  Albany  made  lieutenant-governor,  April  17. 

Johannes  Jacobse  Beeckman  appointed  Mayor  of  Albany  by  Gov. 
George  Clinton. 

•  -A:  • 

(  See  No.  29.) 


I  Continued  from  Xo.  31.) 
1796. 


Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck  sworn  as  the  INIayor  of  Albany,  succeed- 
ing Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  having  been  appointed  by  Gov.  John 
Jay,  Sept.  29. 

\\'hipping-posts  abolished  in  the  city. 

Newspapers  comment  upon  the  alacrity  with  which  communication 
is  had,  only  3  days  to  Philadelphia,  but  four  days  for  a  letter  to 
reach  Boston,  and  to  the  uttermost  point  of  the  I'nion  about  12 
days. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Arie  Lagrange,  Philip  S.  van 
Rensselaer,  I.  \'olckert  Douw,  Peter  E.  Elmendorf,  II.  Jere- 
miah Lansingh.  Peter  W.  Douw,  III.  Election,  Sept.  27  ;  sworn 
in,  Oct.  II. 

A  balloon,  54  feet  in  circumference,  with  small  car,  being  made,  in 
this  city,  Oct.  27. 

Arch  Street  Brewery  (later  the  Albany  Brewing  Co.,  existing  in 
1906 )  is  established  by  James  Boyd,  on  Arch  street. 


SCHUYLER  MAXSiUX    ATTACKED. 

On  the  night  of  Aug.  7,  1781,  a  band  of  Tories  and  Indians  broke 
into  Gen.  Schuyler's  Mansion  intending  to  i<idnap  him.  They  hurled 
a  tomahawk  at  his  daughter  and  it  cut  the  balustrade. 


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No.  28.  AliRAllA.M    'J'i:.\    I'.ROECK.  355 

1796-1797. 

Volney,  celebrated  traveler  and  philosopher,  on  his  way  from  the 

West  to  the  Southern  states,  visits  Albany,  Nov.  2. 

First  camel  ever  broug-ht  to  this  city,  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Hewitt  & 

IMnller,  November. 

John  Jacob  Beeckman  advertises  for  proposals  to  build  a  new  Dutch' 

church  building  on  west  side  of  No.  Pearl  street,  November. 
River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Nov.  26. 

United    States    stores,    ammunition    and    cannon    shii)pecl    to    West 

Point  from  the  public  stores  on  Court  street,  Nov.  27. 

Buildings  at  this  time  in  the  city  number  1,093,  Dec.   i. 

Thermometer  20  degrees  below  zero,  Dec.  24.. 

Lighting  the  city  during  previous  year  required  344  gallons  of  oil, 

Dec.  31. 


1797. 


Legislature  convenes  at  the  City  Hall,  Jan.  3. 

Ten  Broeck  Mansion,  to  the  west  of  Ten  Broeck  street,  erected  for 
Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  the  Mayor,  by  his  ward,  Stephen 
Van  Rensselaer,  the  work  thereon  being  commenced. 

Temple  Commandery  No.  2,  Knights  Templar,  instituted. 

Union  College  founded  principally  by  a  number  of  Albanians, 

Feb.  25. 

Stage  line  to  New  York  reduces  charges  to  $8. 

Temple  Chapter,  No.  5,  R.  A.  M.,  instituted. 

Common  Council  bestows  reward  of  $2.50  upon  Barent  De  Rider 
for  being  the  first  at  a  fire  on  previous  night  with  a  hogshead 
of  water,  Jan.  10. 

Albany  made  the  permanent  seat  of  state  government  as  the  capital, 

]\Iarch   10. 

The  Mayor  lays  the  corner-stone  of  a  building  being  erected  for 
state  offices  at  the  southwest  corner  of  State  and  Lodge  streets, 

]\lay  30. 

Benjamin  Prescott  endeavors  to  supply  water  from  Maezlandt  kill, 
in  logs  bored,  and  is  given  a  grant  by  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer. 

Robert  R.  Livingston's  small  boat  goes  up  the  river  under  head  of 
steam  at  the  rate  of  three  miles  an  hour. 

Fire  destroys  fifty  houses  on  Montgomery,  Dock,  Steuben,  North 
Market  (Broadway),  Columbia  and  Middle  Lane  (James 
street ) ,  Aug.  4. 


356  Ar5RAIIAM    TEN    BROECK.  No.  28. 

1797-1798. 


Corner-stone  of  St.  Mary's  Church  on  Barrack  (Chapel)  street  at 
the  n.  w.  corner  of  Pine  street,  laid  by  Thomas  Barry,  a  promi- 
nent merchant,  Sept.  13. 

Subscription  books  of  the  turnpike  road  between  Albany  and  Sche- 
nectady opened,  Sept.  23. 

Isaac  Robbins  is  imprisoned  for  life  for  passing  a  false  receipt  for 
money,  September. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Philip  S.  van  Rensselaer,  Henry 
J.  Bogart,  I.  Peter  E.  Elmendorf,  John  N.  Bleecker.  II.  San- 
ders Lansingh,  Peter  Gansevoort,  III.  Election,  Sept.  26; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  10. 

Temple  Lodge,  No.  53  (later  No.  14)  of  Masons,  organized, 

Nov.  II. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Nov.  23. 

Albany   Museum  established  at  the   corner   of   Green   and   Beaver 
streets,  opp.  Denniston's  Tavern  that  is  on  the  n.  w.  corner, 

Dec.   II. 

Lighting  the  city  during  year  required  698  gallons  of  oil. 


1798. 


Legislature  convenes,  Jan.  2. 

Schenectady  incorporated. 

Han  Joost,  an  Oneida  warrior  who  was  a  distinguished  volunteer 
under  General  Gansevoort  at  siege  of  Fort  Stanwix,  dies  sud- 
denly, Jan.  14 

Warrantee  deeds  granted  on  slaves  in  Albany. 

Methodists  make  this  city  a  station. 

North  Dutch  Reformed  Church  being  built. 

Lebanon  &  iVlbany  Turnpike  company  chartered. 

Philip  Van  Rensselaer,  of  Cherry  Hill,  south  of  city  bounds,  dies, 

March  12. 

Robert  McClannan  of  this  city  appointed  state  treasurer,  March  15. 

Ten  Broeck  Mansion  completed,  westward  of  Ten  Broeck  street,  by 
Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  the  Mayor. 

Bank  of  Albany  elects  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  its  (2nd)  president, 
to  succeed  Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck. 

St.  Mary's  church  completed  to  permit  roofing  it,  Sept.  10. 

Eliphalet  Nott  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (First)  at  n.  e.  corner  of  So.  Pearl  and  Beaver  streets. 

Oct.  3. 


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No.  28.  Ar.RAllA.M    TEX    liKDlXK.  357 

1798. 


Charter  election.  Common  Council:  Philip  S.  van  Rensselaer.  TIenry 
J.  Bogart.  T.  Barent  G.  Staats,  Jeremiah  Lansingh,  II.  San- 
ders Lansingh,  Enoch  Leonard,  III.  Election,  Sept.  25;  sworn 
in,  Oct.  <). 

New  North  Dutch  Church  on  west  side  of  No.  Pearl  street,  Putnam 
&  Hooker  the  architects,  completed,  Novemher. 

Philip  Schuyler  Van  Rensselaer  appointed  the  Mayor  of  Albany  by 
-     Governor  DeWitt  Clinton,  Dec.  27. 


( See  No.  32.) 


No.  29. 


j0l|auu^0  JarnbB?  iS^^rkmau. 


June  27,  1783       Oct,  &,  1786. 


No.  29. 
JOHANNES  JACOBSE  BEECKMAN. 

Date  of  office:     June  2"/,  1783-October  8,  1786. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  George  Clinton. 

Date  of  birth:     August  8,  1733. 

Place  of  birth:     Albany. 

Parents:     Jacob  (B.)  and  Debora  Hansen. 

Education:     Good  schooling. 

Married  to:  Alarie  Sanders  ( gd.  dau.  of  23d  Mayor),  d.  Nov.  2, 
1794. 

Date:     November  22,  1759. 

Children:  (7 — 3  s,  4  d. )  Jacob  (b.  Aug.  7,  1761  ;  m.  Ann  McKin- 
ney,  Sept.  30,  1784;  d.  1817),  Debora  (b.  Nov.  26,  1763;  m. 
Johannes  De  Peyster,  Dec.  22,  1787;  d.  July  23,  1791),  Bar- 
ent  Sanders  (b.  May  2,  1767;  d.  Dec.  2,  1767),  Machtel  (or 
Matilda,  b.  Nov.  21,  1768;  m.  Douw  Fonda,  Nov.  23,  1794; 
d.  Oct.  3,  1837),  Sarah  (b.  Dec.  0  1771  ;  d  March  15,  1792), 
Evje  (or  Effie,  b.  July  24.  1774;  d.  Dec.  6,  1792),  John  San- 
ders (b.  Aug.  23.  1781  ;  d.  Aug.  13,  1791?). 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     December  17,  1802. 

Title:     Honorable. 


No.  29  JOHANNES  JACOBSE  BEECKMAN.  361 

1783-1784:. 

(Continued  from  No.  28.) 
1783. 


Johannes  Jacobse  Beeckman  sworn  as  the  ]\Iayor  of  Albany,  suc- 
ceeding Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  having  been  appointed  by 
Gov.  George  CHnton,  Ji^ine  27. 

"  The  Gazette,"  first  newspaper  pubHshed  at  Albany,  enlarged,  and 
Mr.  Webster  withdraws  to  go  to  New  York,  Al^r.  Ballantine 
continuing  it. 

Mr.  Ballantine  prints  the  first  copy  of  the  ''  Pocket  Almanac,"  for 
the  year  1784,  the  first  of  its  kind  in  the  city,  a  copy  of  which 
is  preserved  in  the  State  Library. 

George  Washington  a  visitor,  presented  with  freedom  of  the  city  at 
Hugh  Denniston's  tavern  (first  stone  house  in  Albany — n.  w. 
cor.  Green  and  Beaver  sts.),  Aug.  4. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Peter  W.  Yates,  Cornelis  Cuy- 
ler,  I.  Peter  W.  Douw,  Philip  van  Rensselaer,  II.  Thomas 
Hun,  John  Ten  Broeck,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  14. 


1784. 


Displaying  the  strongest  aft"ection  and  confidence  towards  Gen. 
Philip  Schuyler,  General  Washington,  Commander-in-Chief, 
writes  to  him  from  Mount  Vernon,  as  follows :  "  Dear  Sir  — 
Your  favor  of  the  20th  of  Dec.  found  me  as  you  conjectured, 
by  that  fireside  from  which  I  have  been  too  long  absent  for  my 
own  convenience ;  to  which  I  return  with  the  greatest  avidity, 
the  moment  my  public  avocations  would  permit ;  and  from 
which  I  hope  never  again  to  be  withdrawn.  While  I  am  here 
solacing  myself  in  my  retreat  from  the  busy  scenes  of  life.  I 
am  not  only  made  extremely  happy  by  the  gratitude  of  my 
countrymen  in  general  but  particularly  so  by  the  repeated 
proofs  of  the  kindness  of  those  who  have  been  intimately  con- 
versant with  my  public  transactions,  and  I  need  scarcely  add 
that  the  favorable  opinion  of  no  one  is  more  acceptable  than 
that  of  yourself.  In  recollecting  the  vicissitudes  of  fortune  we 
have  experienced,  and  the  difficulties  we  have  surmounted,  T 
shall  always  call  to  mind  the  great  assistance  I  have  frequently 
received  from  you,  both  in  your  public  and  private  character. 
May  the  blessings  of  peace  amply  reward  your  exertions ;  may 


302  JOHANNES  JACOBSE  BEECKMAN.  No.  29. 

1784. 


you  and  your  family  (to  whom  the  comphmcnts  of  ^^Irs.  Wash- 
ington and  myself  are  affectionately  presented)  long  continue 
to  enjoy  every  species  of  happiness  the  world  can  afiford.  With 
sentiments  of  sincere  esteem,  attachment  and  affection,  I  am, 
Dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  very  humble  servant,  G.  Wash- 
ington." Jan.  21. 
The  position  held  by  General  Schuyler  in  the  public  mind  at  this 
time  may  be  shown  in  no  clearer  method  than  by  excerpts  from 
the  writings  of  a  few  of  this  country's  most  highly  respected 
men,  characters  who  had  no  ulterior  motive  for  uttering  what 
sounds  the  keynote  of  praise  in  the  very  sincerity  and  forceful- 
ness  of  statement.  In  Washington  Irving's  "  Life  of  Washing- 
ton "  appears  the  following:  "When  the  tidings  reached 
General  Washington  of  the  action  of  the  Congress  in  supersed- 
ing Schuyler  (by  Gates)  he  wrote  him  immediately  '  that  he 
looked  upon  the  whole  scheme  as  diabolical,'  that  he  re- 
garded it  '  with  sentiments  of  abhorrence,  having  the  utmost 
confidence  in  your  integrity  and  the  most  incontestible  proofs  of 
your  great  attachment  to  your  country.'  Schuyler  asked  for  a 
court-martial  to  sit  on  the  case  and  was  fully  acquitted,  the  in- 
formation being  forwarded  to  General  Washington  by  the  court 
with  an  expression  of  hope  that  '  Schuyler's  name  might  be 
handed  down  to  posterity  as  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  American 
cause.'  "  On  finishing  his  "  Life  of  Washington,"  Washington 
Irving  regretted  that  he  was  "  too  old  "  to  undertake  that  of 
Schuyler.  Daniel  Webster  also  expressed  a  desire  to  add  at 
least  "  a  chapter  on  General  Schuyler  to  the  History  of  the 
Revolution."  He  writes  as  follows:  "  I  was  brought  up  with 
the  New  England  prejudices  against  him ;  but  I  consider  him 
as  second  only  to  Washington  in  the  services  he  rendered  to 
the  country  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution.  His  zeal  and  devo- 
tion to  the  cause  under  difificulties  that  would  have  paralysed 
most  men,  and  his  fortitude  and  courage  when  assailed  by  mali- 
cious attacks  upon  his  public  and  private  character,  every  one 
of  which  was  proved  to  be  false,  have  impressed  me  with  a 
strong  desire  to  express  publicly  my  sense  of  his  great  quali- 
ties." Horatio  Seymour,  once  the  Governor  of  New  York,  in 
his  address  delivered  on  the  occasion  of  the  Centennial  celebra- 
tion of  Burgoyne's  surrender,  held  at  Schuylerville  in  1877,  on 
the  very  spot  where  Schuyler's  house  and  property  had  been 
destroyed  by  the  British,  gave  testimony  again  to  General 
Schuyler's  patriotism  and  unselfishness  — "  as  the  one  figure 
which  rises  above  all  others,  upon  whose  conduct  and  bearing 
we  love  to  dwell.     There  was  one  who  won  a  triumph  there 


GENERAL  PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 

No  writer  of  American  history  and  the  Revohition  omits  tlie 
name  of  this  famed  Albanian.  He  was  born  at  s.  e.  cor.  State  and 
Pearl  sts.,  Nov.  ii,  173,^,  son  of  Mayor  Johannes  Schnyler.  Jun.  He 
built  his  fine  mansion  at  head  of  Schuyler  st.  in  1761,  and  defended 
Albany  against  Burgoyne  in  1777.      He  died  Xov.  18,  1S04. 


No.  29  JOIIAXXES  JACOnSK   HEICCKMAX.  363 

1784. 

wliich  never  grows  dim,  one  who  gave  an  example  of  patience 
and  patriotism  unsurpassed  on  the  pages  of  history,  one  who  (hd 
not,  under  cutting  wrongs  and  cruel  suspicions,  wear  an  air  of 
martyrdom ;  but  with  cheerful  alacrity  served  when  he  should 
have  commanded."  Mrs.  Lamb,  in  her  History  of  New  York, 
writes :  "  In  this  connection  the  figure  of  Philip  Schuyler  rises 
grandly  above  all  others  —  he  uttered  no  complaint  at  seeing 
■  his  laurels  won  by  another !  He  even  congratulated  Gates  who 
had  displayed  no  professional  skill  whatever." 

"  Webster's  Calendar  "  or  the  "  Albany  Almanac  "  first  published. 

Agricultural  Society  formed. 

Regents  of  the  University  of  the  State  of  New  York  created  by  Act 
of  Legislature,  May  i. 

Post-Ofifice  first  established  on  the  east  side  of  North  Market  street 
(Broadway),  north  of  Maiden  Lane,  May. 

Simeon  DeWitt  appointed  State  surveyor-general,  May  13. 

Henry,  McClallen  &  Henry,  next  door  north  of  City  Hall  (northeast 
corner  of  Broadway  and  Hudson  street)  advertise  that  for  pay- 
ment of  the  formidable  array  of  goods  named  they  will  accept 
wheat,  corn,  pease,  flax,  seeds,  board,  planks  and  any  sort  of 
furs. 

"The  Albany  Gazette  "  of  1771,  that  was  discontinued  about  1776, 
started  again  by  Charles  R.  Webster,  as  a  weekly,         ]\Iay  28. 

Dr.  Samuel  Stringer  advertises  that  he  has  received  an  importation 
from  Europe  of  an  assortment  of  medicines  at  his  medicinal 
store,  west  side  of  Broadway  above  Maiden  Lane. 

John  McClintock  advertises  that  in  June  he  will  open  a  school  at 
the  southwest  corner  of  Maiden  Lane  and  James  street. 

Luther  Society  incorporated,  using  edifice  of  1668  on  the  west  side 
of  So.  Pearl  street,  between  Howard  and  Beaver  streets. 

Elder  William  Lee.  of  the  Niskayuna  Shakers,  dies.  June. 

In  celebration  of  independence  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns  was  fired 
from  Fort  Orange  at  sunrise,  and  there  were  illuminations  at 
night,  July  4. 

Mons.  Duonpres  opens  a  school  for  dancing  "  on  the  most  modern 
terms  of  one  guinea  entrance,  and  one  guinea  a  quarter." 

July  14. 

The  Dutch  Ambassador,  Haere  P.  J.  Van  Berckel,  accompanied  by 
the  governor,  arrives  and  is  received  at  the  City  Hall  amid  a 
discharge  of  cannon  (to  be  gjven  a  banquet  the  next  day  at 
Lewis  tavern)  and  numerous  citizens  call,  July  22. 

Governor  Clinton  leaves  Albany  to  attend  the  Indian  treaty  to  be 
held  at  Fort  Schuyler,  where  the  chiefs  were  assembling, 

August. 


364  JOHANNES  JACOBSE  BEECKMAN.  No.  29. 

1784-1785, 

School  opened  by  Nicholas  Barrington  and  announces  "  money  being 
very  scarce,  at  the  low  prices  of  lo,  12  and  14s.  per  quarter,  for 
spellers,  writers  and  scypherers,  and  three  pounds  for  bookkeep- 
ing and  navigation."  Sept.  8. 

Funeral  of  Mother  Ann  Lee,  (Mrs.  Lee),  known  as  the  Elect  Lady, 
or  Mother  of  Zion,  head  of  the  Shakers,  who  died  on  Sept.  8th 
at  Nisqueunda,  (Niskayuna),  Sept.  9. 

Elder  James  Whittaker  succeeds  Mother  Ann  Lee  at  the  Shaker 
settlement  of  Niskayuna,  a  few  miles  west  of  the  city, 

September. 

The  Governor  and  Indian  commissioners  return  from  Fort  Schuyler, 
having  concluded  a  treaty  with  the  Six  Nations,  Sept.  13. 

Marquis  of  Lafayette  returns  from  Fort  Stanwix,  to  depart  next  day 
for  Boston,  whence  he  is  to  sail  for  France,  Oct.  7. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Peter  W.  Yates,  Robert 
McClallen,  L  Philip  van  Rensselaer,  Peter  W.  Douw,  IL 
Thomas  Hun,  John  Ten  Broeck,  IIL  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Isaac  Arnold  and  James  Stewart  return  from  a  trading  expedition 
to  Detroit,  having  lost  three  companions.  Jacobus  Teller,  Daniel 
Barclay,  Isaac  Van  Alstyne,  who  were  murdered  on  Lake  Erie 
by  Delaware  Indians,  Oct.  18. 

"  A  likely  negro  wench  "  offered  for  sale  at  auction  by  the  execu- 
tors of  Mrs.  Margaret  Schuyler,  held  at  Lewis'  Tavern, 

Oct.  21. 

City  authorities  propose  the  demolition  of  Fort  Frederick,  at  head 
of  Yonkers  (State)  street. 

First  copy  of  "  Webster's  Calendar,"  or  "  The  Albany  Almanac," 
ready  for  sale,  Nov.  8. 

Alexander  Robertson,  publisher  of  the  first  Albany  newspaper, 
"  The  Gazette,"  dies  at  Port  Roseway,  Nova  Scotia,       Nov.  8. 

Annual  fair  for  vending  cattle  inaugurated,  Nov.  19. 

Wendell  and  Trotter  engage  in  sale  of  drygoods  at  southeast  corner 
of  So.  Market  street  (Broadway)  and  Division. 


1785. 


Shakers  of  Niskayuna  build  west  of  Albany  the  first  edifice  ever 
used  by  the  society  for  worship. 

Health  of  the  city  so  good  that  there  was  but  one  burial,  and  that 
a  child  accidentally  run  over  by  a  sleigh,  in  the  Dutch  church- 
yard, from  Dec.  9th  to  March  10. 


"  lAIOTHER  ANN'S"  TO^IB. 

Alother  Ann  Lee  was  tlie  founder  of  Shakers  in  America.  She  was  born 
at  Manchester,  Eng.,  Feb.  29,  1736;  ilHterate  ;  married  a  blacksmith 
named  Standley,  1762,  and  began  preaching  celibacy  ;  established  colony 
in  Niskayuna  woods,  west  of  Albany,  and  died  there  Sept.  8,  1784. 


No.  29.  JOHANNES  JACOBSE  BEECKMAN.  365 

1785. 

Close  of  session  of  Supreme  Court  at  which  Christian  Coo])er  and 
Petrus  Cooper  are  sentenced  to  death  on  conviction  of  robbery. 

EHhu  Goodrich  and  John  Ely  open  a  school  in  Michael  Ilollenbake's 
house,  teaching  Greek  and  Latin  for  40s  a  quarter ;  grammar, 
arithmethic  and  writing  for  30s,  and  reading  for  20s. 

Isaac  A  an  Wyck.  Talniage  Hall  and  John  Kinney  given  exclusive 
right  to  drive  stage  on  roads  east  of  the  Hudson. 

Common  Council  decides  to  abandon  the  names  of  streets  that  savor 
of  the  English  rule  and  appoints  a  committee  to  consider  new 
titles  and  a  plan  for  numbering,  March  19. 

Volckert  Petrus  Douw  sent  to  the  U.  S.  Senate,  his  appearance  at 
the  time  being  a  man  of  6  feet  2  inches,  erect,  handsome,  clean- 
shaven, tirni  mouth,  piercing  eye,  wearing  a  long-waisted  coat 
with  skirts  to  ankles,  adorned  with  silver  buckles  made  of  Span- 
ish coins,  buckles  on  shoes  set  with  rhinestones,  a  cocked  hat, 
silver-headed  cane,  hair  in  a  Cjueue  and  powdered. 

Isaac  V'^an  Wyck,  Talmage  Hall  and  John  Kinney  granted  exclusive 
right  to  run  a  stage  line  between  Albany  and  New  York,  for  10 
years,  on  agreeing  to  provide  two  stages  properly  covered, 
drawn,  by  four  horses,  and  to  charge  not  more  than  4  pence  per 
mile,  allowance  for  14  pounds  of  baggage  free,  April  4. 

Common  Council  hears  report  on  new  names  for  the  streets,  and  a 
map  is  ordered  made  to  show  the  titles  as  altered,  April  g. 

City  authorities  authorize  the  demolition  of  Fort  Frederick  at  the 
head  of  State  street,  and  using  of  the  stone  for  public  improve- 
ments, and  the  clergy  of  various  churches  to  be  allowed  material 
of  the  walls  with  which  to  build  their  churches. 

Sloop  Experiment,  Captain  Stewart  Dean,  (after  whom  Dean  street 
was  to  be  named)  sails  on  his  memorable  voyage  to  China. 

Common  Council  passes  an  ordinance  for  extermination  of  all  dogs 
within  two  days,  fixing  a  penalty  of  $40,  July  12. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Peter  W.  Yates,  Robert 
McClallen,  I.  Philip  van  Rensselaer,  Peter  W.  Douw,  II.  John 
Ten  Broeck,  Thomas  Hun,  HI.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in, 

Oct.   14. 

Rev.  lohn  ^McDonald  installed  bv  the  First  Presbvterian  Societv, 

Nov.  8. 

Preparations  for  a  theatrical  performance  begun.  cari)cnters  fitting 
up  the  old  hospital  as  a  theatre,  a  thing  unknown  at  Albany, 
and  the  following  appears  in  ''  The  Gazette:"  "  By  authority. 
On  Friday  Evening,  the  9th  of  December,  1785,  The  Theatre 
in  the  City  of  Albany,  will  be  opened  with  an  Occasional  Pro- 


^66  JOHANNES  JACOBSE  BEECKMAN.  No.  2Q. 


1785-1786. 


logue,  by  Air.  Allen.  After  which  will  be  presented,  A  Comedy 
in  Two  Acts  call'd  Cross  Purposes.  .  .  .  After  the  comedy, 
An  Eulogy  on  Free  jMasonry,  by  Brother  Moore.  To  be  fol- 
lowed by  a  Dance  called  La  Polonese,  by  Mr.  Bellair.  To  con- 
clude with  a  Comedy  of  Three  Acts  written  by  Shakespeare, 
call'd  Catharine  and  Petruchio.  or,  The  Taming  of  the  Shrew. 
.  .  .  Doors  will  be  opened  at  Five  o'Clock  and  the  perform- 
ance to  begin  precisely  at  Six.  Tickets  (without  which  no 
person  can  be  admitted)  to  be  had  at  Mr.  Lewis's  Tavern — as 
no  money  will  be  received  at  the  door.  Box  8  s.  Gallery  4  s. 
No  person  to  be  admitted  behind  the  scenes.  N.  B.  Stoves  are 
to  be  provided  for  the  boxes."  Dec.  5. 

The  Theatre  not  in  readiness,  and  the  religiously  inclined  inhabitants 
having  written  an  acrid  petition  to  the  Mayor  and  Common 
Council  demanding  that  the  performance  be  not  permitted,  end- 
ing with  the  reason  that  it  "  will  drain  us  of  our  money,  if 
'  not  instil  into  the  minds  of  the  imprudent,  principles  incompati- 
ble with  that  virtue  which  is  the  true  basis  of  republican  liberty 
and  happiness,"  consequently  the  performance  is  postponed, 

Dec.  9. 

Common  Council  votes  9  to  4  to  allow  the  comedians  to  act,  resolv- 
ing: "That  in  the  Opinion  of  this  Board,  they  have  not  a 
Legal  Right  to  prohibit  the  Company  of  Comedians  in  this 
City  from  exhibiting  their  Theatrical  performances."       Dec.  12. 

Those  who  opposed  the  performance  aroused  by  the  action  of  the 
Commoti  Council  write  to  The  Gazette  denouncing  the  giving 
of  theatricals  in  Albany,  saying  the  people  were  too  poor  after 
the  war  to  go  to  them,  and  "  when  we  find  this  darling  vice 
encouraged  in  the  first,  and  patronized  in  the  second  city  of 
the  state,  and  rearing  its  ensigns  in  each  corner  thereof,  is  it 
not  high  time  for  considerate  inhabitants,  to  step  forth  and 
oppose  the  increasing  evil  with  firmness  and  resolution,  ere 
it  be  too  late."  December. 


1  786. 


Houses  in  the  city  number  550,  January. 

The  first  professional  comedians  play  during  December  and  Jan- 
uary, into  February,  two  performances  each  week.  The  Gazette 


I 


No.  2U.  .lOriAXXES  JACOBSE'  IJKECKMAX.  367 

1786. 

saying  editorially;  "In  justice  to  the  Company,  we  cannot 
omit  mentioning,  that  their  conduct  has  been  such  as  to  meet 
with  the  approbation  of  the  city  in  general,"  and  they  leave  for 
Montreal,  Feb.  20. 

Common  Council  appealed  to  by  Lutherans,  who  had  been  worship- 
ping with  the  Episcopalians,  through  Rev.  Jleinrich  Aloeller 
.  (receiving  salary  of  $250  and  firewood)  for  the  right  to  solicit 
funds  to  erect  a  church,  which  is  granted,  March. 

River  open  to  navigation,  ]\Iarch  23. 

Columbia  county  formed  by  partition  from  Albany  county,     April  i. 

Act  passed  by  the  Legislature  erecting  the  southeast  part  of  the 
County  of  Albany  into  a  new  county  to  be  known  as  Columbia, 

April  4. 

Supreme  Court  sessions  close,  Caleb  Gardner  having  been  sentenced 
to  hang  for  passing  counterfeit  Spanish  dollars,  Ji-ily  5 

Sheriff  advertises  for  some  one  to  hang  on  Sept.  15th,  the  recently 
convicted  Caleb  Gardner,  July  19. 

Albany  celebrates  the  centennial  anniversary  of  its  chartering  as 
a  city.  The  Common  Council  on  July  15th  appointed  the  fol- 
lowing as  a  committee  to  formulate  a  program,  Philip  S.  Van 
Rensselaer,  Peter  \\'.  Yates,  aldermen,  and  John  W.  Wendell, 
Richard  Lush  and  Jellis  Winne,  assistant  aldermen,  wdio  re- 
ported on  the  i8th  and  the  following  ceremony  was  carried 
out:  The  Common  Council  convenes  at  10  a.  m.,  at  the  City 
Hall  on  So.  Alarket  street  (Broadway)  and  Hudson  avenue,  and 
proceeds  up  Yonkers  street  (State)  to  the  hill  westward  of  the 
city,  with  all  the  bells  ringing,  in  the  order — ist,  the  High 
Sheriff;  2nd,  the  Under  Sheriffs;  3rd,  Constables  with  their 
Staffs;  4th,  Mayor  Johannes  Jacobse  Beeckman  and  Recorder 
Leonard  Gansevoort :  5th,  Aldermen;  6th,  Common  Council; 
7th,  Chamberlain  and  Clerks ;  8th,  Marshal ;  9th,  Corporations 
of  the  several  churches ;  loth.  Judges  of  the  several  courts ;  nth, 
justices  of  the  peace;  12th,  Legislative  members;  Attorneys  at 
law ;  13th,  Militia  officers ;  14th,  The  Engine  &  Fire  Company ; 
15th,  Citizens  at  Large.  Arriving  at  the  place  designated  the 
officials  named  drink  thirteen  toasts  and  one  for  the  Charter, 
while  is  heard  the  discharge  of  thirteen  cannon.  At  6  p.  m.  the 
Board  partakes  of  an  elaborate  banquet  at  Lew^is'  City  Tavern, 
being  supplied  with  "  a  Barrel  of  Good  Spirits  for  the  purpose," 
as  voted  bv  the  Council  on   Tuly   iSth.  so  that,  as  The  Gazette 


^68  JOHANNES  JACOBSE  BEECKMAN.  No.  29. 


1786. 


states,  "  The  countenances  of  the  inhabitants  bespoke  great  sat- 
isfaction on  the  occasion."  July  22. 

City  employs  workmen  to  remove  the  embankments  of  earth  that 
had  been  cast  up  about  Fort  Frederick,  that  Yonkers  (State) 
street  might  be  widened  now  that  the  fort  was  gone,      Sept.  15. 

Caleb  Gardner  hanged  in  the  City  Hall  for  passing  counterfeit 
money,  Sept.  15. 

John  Lansing,  Jun.,  commissioned  the  INIayor  of  Albany  by  Gov. 
George  Clinton,  Sept.  29. 

•         •         • 


(See  No.  30.) 


No.  30. 

30l|n  ICaufitug,  Sun. 


Oct.  9.  1786  — Oct.  18,  1790, 


No.  30. 
JOHN    LANSING,    JUN. 

Date  of  o-fficc:     October  9,  i78fj-October  18,  1790. 

Date  of  appointment:     September  29,  1786. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  George  Clinton. 

Date  of  birth:     (Bap.)  February  3,  1754. 

Place  of  birth:     Albany. 

Parents:     Gerrit  J.   (L.)  and  Jannetje  Waters. 

Education:     Good  schooling. 

Married  to:     Cornelia  Ray. 

Date:    April  8,  1781. 

Children:  (10-2  s.  8  d.)  Robert  (1783),  Jane  (1785),  Sara  (1787), 
Robert  Ray  (1788),  Frances  (1791),  Elizabeth  (1793),  Sara 
and  Cornelia  (twins,  1795),  Sara  (1797),  Mary  (1800). 

Residence:     North  corner  Broadway  and  Steuben  street. 

Occupation:     Lawyer.   ■ 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     December  12,   1829. 

Place  of  death:     New  York,  N.  Y. 

Place  of  burial:  Unknown.  Accidently  drowned  boarding  boat  to 
Albany,  or  waylaid. 

Title:     Chancellor. 

Remarks:  Delegate  to  convention  framing  LInited  States  Constitu- 
tion, March  6,  1787.  Member  State  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion,  1788. 


,10,     JOHN  LANSING,  Jux. 
1 786- 1 790. 
From  the  etchiiii?  Iiy   Alhcrt   Rosenthal   in   1S88  made  from  tlie  oil  painting 
o.vned  by  Thomas  Addis  Emmet    ni  1885. 


Xo.  30.  JOHN    LANSING,  JUN.  3/1 


1786-1787. 


(Continued  from  No.  29.) 
1786. 


John  Lansing-,  Jun.,  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  succeeding 
Johannes  Jacobse  Beecknian,  having  been  appointed  by  Gov. 
George  CHnton,  Oct.  9. 

Charter  election,  Coiumon  Council :  Robert  McClannen,  John  Price, 
I.  Peter  W.  Douw,  Henry  Ten  Eyck,  II.  Thomas  Hun,  Leon- 
ard Gansevoort,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in,         Oct.  14. 

Lutherans  raising  funds  to  build  edifice  on  So.  Pearl  street. 

Ferry  rights  bring  the  city  $650  for  the  year,  December. 


1787. 


Population  of  the  state  220,000  whites,  18,889  slaves  and  12  Indians 
who  paid  taxes. 

Assize  of  bread  fixed  in  this  city  at  i  lb.  12  oz.  for  4  coppers 

January. 

Regiment  of  militia  raised  in  the  eastern  part  of  Rensselaerswyck 
Manor  under  command  of  Lieut. -Col.  John  Van  Rensselaer,  the 
officers  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance  before  Clerk  Matthew 
Visscher,  June  28. 

Election  of  Aldermen  changed  to  the  last  Tuesday  in  September 
every  year  by  Act  of  Legislature,  March  21. 

Sloop  Enterprise  returns  from  its  long  journey  to  China,         April. 

Rev.  John  Bassett  made  a  colleague  of  Rev.  Eilardus  Westerlo  at 
the  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  July. 

Lutherans  erect  their  church  on  the  west  side  of  So.  Pearl  street, 
north  of  the  Ruttenkill,  between  Beaver  and  Nail  (Howard) 
streets. 

Rensselaerswyck  militia  provided  with  uniforms  as  follows :  Com- 
missioned officers,  dark  blue  coats  faced  with  white,  and  white 
under-clothes ;  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  a  white 
linen  hunting--shirt  and  overalls,  a  round  hat  three  inches  in  the 
brim,  bound  with  white  tape  and  covered  with  a  piece  of  bear- 
skin four  inches  wide  over  the  crown ;  a  good  musket,  bayonet 
and  cartouch-box,  24  cartridges  suitable  to  the  bore  of  the 
musket,  two  spare  flints,  one  knapsack  and  blanket,       August. 


372  JOHN   LANSING,   JUN.  No.  3O. 

1787-1788. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Robert  AlcClannen,  John  Price, 
I.  Peter  W.  Douw,  Henry  Ten  Eyck,  II.  Thomas  Hun,  Leon- 
ard Gansevoort,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in,         Oct.  14. 

First  academies  incorporated  at  Albany  by  the  Regents,  Erasmus 
Hall  at  Flatbush  and  Clinton  Hall  at  Easthampton,         Nov.  20. 

John  Bradstreet  Schuyler,  son  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  marries  Eliz- 
abeth Van  Rensselaer,  daughter  of  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer, 
Jr.,  the  Patroon,  and  Catherine  Livingston,  who  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Philip  Livingston,  the  ''  Signer." 

Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  gives  his  country  seat  in  Saratoga  county  to 
his  son  John  Bradstreet  Schuyler.  Dec.  3. 


1788. 

Leonard  de  Neufville,  Jan  Heefke  and  Ferdinand  Walfahrt,  who  are 
endeavoring  to  manufacture  glass  at  Douwsburg  (or  Dowes- 
borough)  make  an  appeal  to  the  state  for  support,  claiming  that 
too  much  money  is  being  sent  away  for  glass  that  might  be  given 
to  home  labor,  and  that  their  product  is  superior  to  the  English, 

January. 

Albany  Journal,  or  Montgomery,  Washington  and  Columbia  Intelli- 
gencer published  first  by  Charles  R.  and  George  Webster, 

Jan.  26. 

Claxton  &  Babcock  come  from  Lansingburg  and  publish  The  Federal 
Herald,  Feb.  11. 

Watervliet  organized,  ]March  7. 

Legislattire  authorizes  city  to  raise  $10,000  for  new  Jail,    March  11. 

Newspaper  called  The  Albany  Register  begun  by  Robert  Barber. 

Thaddeus  Lawrence  being  confined  in  the  top  floor  of  the  City  Hall 
because  of  back  rent  of  $100  due  to  a  wealthy  citizen,  sends  out 
a  petition  that  as  he  is  an  expert  shoeman  he  desires  repairing 
to  do  in  order  that  he  may  liberate  himself. 

New  York  state  ratifies  in  convention  the  articles  of  the  Constitution 
by  a  vote  of  30  to  27,  seven  not  voting,  July  26. 

Citizens  meet  to  consider  celebrating  the  ratification  of  the  LTnited 
States  Constitution  by  the  New  York  convention,  July  28. 

Public  celebration  at  Albany  of  the  ratification  of  the  Constitution,  a 
gun  fired  at  sunrise,  at  10  a.  m.,  11  guns  fired  to  assemble  to  the 
fields  near  Water-Vliet ;  at  10:30,  one  gun  for  forming  proces- 
sion;   1 1    a.   m.,   procession   moves,   saluting  the   Constitution; 


No.  30.  JOHN    LANSING,  JUN.  373 


1788. 


parade  formed  as  follows :  Albany  Troop  of  Light-Horse  com- 
manded by  Captain  Gansevoort,  officers  and  men  uniformed, 
music,  Constitution  engrossed  on  parchment  suspended  upon  a 
staff  and  borne  by  Alaj.-Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  on  horseback; 
standard  of  the  United  States  carried  by  Col.  John  H.  Wendell; 
II  citizens  representing  each  state  that  had  ratified  the  Consti- 
tution, bearing  a  parchment  scroll  with  name  of  the  state  in 
large  letters ;  axe-men  with  garlands  of  laurels ;  an  elegant 
plough  guided  by  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer ;  sowers,  John  Cuy- 
ler,  and  Capt.  Jacob  Lansing;  a  neat  harrow  guided  by  Francis 
Nicoll ;  farmers  neatly  dressed  with  implements  of  husbandry ; 
Gerrit  Witbeck  carrying  the  Farmers'  flag  bearing  the  motto 
"  God  speed  the  Plough ;"'  Brewers  with  a  dray  carrying  a  butt, 
astride  of  which  is  Master  \'an  Rensselaer  in  the  character  of 
Bacchus,  with  a  silver  beaker  in  his  hand  ;  following  which  were 
printers,  watch-makers,  weavers  and  various  tradesmen.  The 
procession  moved  through  Water-Vliet  street,  Market  (Broad- 
way) and  State  street  to  the  Federal  Bower,  reached  at  12:30 
o'clock,  erected  on  the  highest  land  of  the  hill  west  of  Fort 
Frederick,  and  the  flags  of  the  divisions  were  struck  in  the 
battlements,  the  edifice  being  154  feet  long  and  44  feet  broad, 
raised  upon  four  rows  of  pillars  15  feet  high,  composing  ii 
arches  wreathed  in  flowers,  the  centre  medallion  of  all  inscribed 
"  New  York."  Here  the  tables  had  been  spread  with  viands 
and  American  cheer  by  \\  illiam  \^an  Ligen,  and  as  each  toast 
was  given  a  gun  was  fired;  the  Marshal  was  James  Fairlie  and 
assistants,  Thos.  L.  Witbeck,  Casparus  Flewson,  John  Cuyler, 
Jun.,  and  John  Bleecker.  On  returning  to  disband,  when  the 
column  had  reached  Green  street  a  party  of  anti-Federalists  ran 
out  and  assaulted  the  procession,  and  as  a  cannon  was  about  to 
be  discharged  upon  it  Jonathan  Kidney  drove  the  end  of  a  file 
into  the  fuse  and  prevented  disaster,  whereupon  the  Light-Horse 
charged  upon  the  mob  and  disbursed  it;  but  so  fierce  had  been 
the  struggle  that  a  prominent  citizen,  James  Caldwell,  was  hurt 
by  a  brick  that  struck  his  head  and  a  part  of  the  Stone  House 
was  torn  away  to  furnish  missiles,  Aug.  8. 

Stage  line  started  to  Springfield,  IMass. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Peter  W.  Yates,  Peter  Lan- 
singh,  L  Henry  Ten  Eyck,  Theodorus  Y.  W.  Graham,  H. 
Thomas  Hun,  Leonard  Gansevoort,  Jun.  Flection,  Sept.  24; 
sworn  in.  Oct.  14. 


374  JOHN   LANSING,   JUN.  No.  30. 


1789. 


1789. 

Thermometer  24  degrees  below  zero,  Jan.  2. 

The  freeholders  of  A'anderheyden's  or  Ashley's  Ferry,  a  place  situ- 
ated some  six  miles  above  Albany  and  upon  the  east  bank  of  the 
Hudson,  meet  and  by  a  majority  vote  decide  to  call  the  place 
Troy,  Jan.  5. 

Council  orders  Town  Whipper  to  conduct  executions  at  $100  yearly, 

Jan.  30. 

Johannes  De  Peyster,  who  had  been  Albany's  i6th  Mayor  (b.  Jan. 
10,  1694,  at  New  Amsterdam),  holding  many  offices  and  among 
them  Member  of  Provincial  Assembly,  Indian  Commissioner, 
Recorder,  Inspector  of  Ordnance,  first  Surrogate  of  Albany 
county.  Paymaster  of  Xew  York's  forces  in  the  Revolution, 
Captain  of  Horse,  the  son  of  Mayor  Johannes  De  Peyster  of 
New  York,  dies  at  Albany,  Feb.  27. 

Legislature  grants  Ananias  Piatt  exclusive  right  to  conduct  a  stage- 
line  to  Lansingburg,  April  21. 

The  Albany  Gazette,  begun  six  years  previous,  now  published  twice 
a  week,  May  25. 

Publication  of  the  Albany  Journal  and  Columbia  Intelligencer  dis- 
continued, May  25. 

State  Legislature  convenes  the  third  time  at  Albany,  July  6. 

The  Common  Council  desiring  to  group  the  church  burial-grounds 
at  one  location  appointed  Thomas  Hun  and  T.  A\  \V.  Graham  a 
committee  to  select  a  common  cemetery,  for  at  this  time  the 
Episcopal  churchyard  extended  from  Yonkers  (State)  street 
northward  across  Maiden  Lane,  the  Lutherans  had  theirs  at  the 
corner  of  Washington  (So.  Pearl)  and  Beaver  streets,  that  of 
the  Presbyterians  was  east  of  its  church  which  was  near  the 
corner  of  Grand  street  and  Hudson  avenue,  and  the  Dutch  Re- 
formed was  about  its  church  on  the  south  side  of  Beaver^  near 
Green  street.  The  committee  reports  in  favor  of  a  plat  border- 
ing on  Eagle,  Lancaster  and  State  streets,  the  site  of  the  burned 
barracks,  and  on  which  there  was  a  vault,  the  strip  to  the  east 
to  be  used  by  the  Presbyterians,  one  acre,  the  next  acre  strip  to 
the  Episcopalians,  the  next  westward  to  the  Lutherans,  half  of 
the  next  strip  to  the  Reformed  High  Dutch  or  German  Re- 


No.  30.  JOHN    LANSING,  JUN.  375 

1789-1790. 

formed,  and  the  remaining  half  acre  with  the  most  western  acre 
strip  to  the  Dutch  church,  Sept.  19. 

At  a  term  of  the  Supreme  Court  held  here  beginning  in  July,  six 
were  convicted  and  ordered  to  be  given  39  lashes  each  at  the 
public  whipping-post  before  the  City  Hall  (Broadway  and  Hud- 
son ave.)  and  Francis  Css,  convicted  of  robbing  a  store  at 
Poughkeepsie  to  be  publicly  hanged,  September. 

l''erry  street  in  south  part  of  city  opened  to  Washington  (So.  Pearl) 
street. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Peter  Lansingh,  John  de  Pey- 
ster  Ten  Eyck,  I.  Henry  Ten  Eyck,  Abraham  Cuyler,  H.  Leon- 
ard Gansevoort,  Phili])  Lansingh,  HL  Election,  Sept.  29; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  13. 


1790. 


Methodists  erect  a  small  building  for  their  services  at  the  southeast 
corner  of  No.  Pearl  and  Orange  streets  (standing  in  1906) 
called  the  chapel  of  the  society,  organized  by  Capt.  T.  \\''ebb  of 
the  British  army. 

Population  of  the  city  about  3.506. 

Albany  county's  population  (with  larger  limits  than  in  1900)  about 
75,180;  New  York,  30,032;  Dutchess,  42,235,  being  the  three 
largest  in  the  state  at  the  time,  with  Albany  the  greatest  and 
larger  than  the  next  two  largest  combined. 

Population  of  New  York  state  340,120. 

Slaves  in  this  state  at  this  time  number  21,324. 

First  licensed  auctioneer's  office  opened,  Cornelius  J.  Wynkoop,  at 
No.  8  Market  street,  January. 

Rensselaerville  formed  from  Watervliet,  March  8. 

Legislature  allows  proprietors  of  Mills  and  Papskni  islands  to  erect 
a  dam  to  shut  out  the  water  course  between  them  and  by  direct- 
ing the  water  into  the  main  channel  clear  the  Overslaugh, 

April  2. 

Gypsum  is  introduced  as  a  fertilizer  by  Chancellor  Livingston. 

Synod  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  erect  a  new  Presbytery  in  this 
part  of  the  state  to  be  known  as  the  Presbytery  of  Albany  and 
to  convene  for  the  first  time  in  November. 


376  JOHN   LANSING,   JUN.  No.  30. 

1790. 

Names  of  streets  changed  at  this  time :  Canal  from  Howe  to  Fox, 
Orange  from  Wall  to  Hare,  State  from  Prince  to  Deer,  Knox 
from  Gage  to  Swallow,  Elm  from  Pitt  to  Otter,  Park  avenue 
from  Alonckton  to  Mink,  IMadison  avenue  from  Wolfe  to  Wolf, 
Robin  from  Schoharie  to  Duck.  Washington  avenue  from  King 
to  Lion,  Hudson  avenue  from  Quiter  to  Buffaloe,  Hudson  ave- 
nue from  Schenectade  to  Snipe,  Lancaster  from  Predeaux  to 
Tiger,  Elk  changed  from  Queen,  Eagle  from  Duke,  Hawk  from 
Hawke,  Swan  from  Boscawen,  Dove  from  Warren,  Lark  from 
Johnson,  Sept.  ii. 

St.  Peter's  church  deeded  site  of  its  third  edifice  at  the  northwest 
corner  of  State  and  Lodge  streets  by  the  city,  in  exchange  for 
land  formerly  used  by  the  church  and  required  for  street  pur- 
poses. 

Seal  of  the  city  with  arms,  (since  discovered  affixed  to  records)  in 
early  use  on  a  map  of  a  portion  of  Albany  made  by  Simeon  De 
Witt,  made  this  year. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Peter  Lansingh,  John  de  Pey- 
ster  Ten  Eyck,  L  Henry  Ten  Eyck,  Abraham  Cuyler,  H. 
Philip  Lansingh,  Leonard  Gansevoort,  Jun.  Election,  Sept.  28 ; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  12. 

Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  appointed  the  ]\Iayor  of  Albany,         Oct.  13. 


(See  No.  31.) 


No.  31. 


Abral|am  fates,  3«u. 


Oct.  19,  1790  — Oct.  14.  1796. 


No.  31. 
ABRAHAM    YATES,    JUN. 

Date  of  oMce:     October  19,  1790-October  14,  1796. 

Date  of  appoi}itmcnt:     October  13,  1790. 

Appointed  by:     Governor  George  Clinton. 

Date  of  birth:     August  2t^,  17-24. 

Place  of  birth:     Albany. 

Parents:     Christoffel   (Y.)   and  Catalyntje  Winne. 

Education:     Good  schooling. 

Married  to:     Antje  De  Ridder. 

Place:    Albany. 

Children:  (4  s.)  Christoffel  (1747).  Christoffel  (1748),  Tanneke 
(1750),  Cornelis  (1753). 

Occupation:     Financier. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     June  30,  1796. 

Place  of  death:     Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Albany  County  Sheriff',  1754-55.  Deputy  to  Provincial 
Convention  of  New  York,  April,  1775.  President  pro  tern, 
ist  Provincial  Congress.  1775.  Deputy  to  2d  and  3d  Pro- 
vincial Congresses,  1775,  1776.  Member  of  committee, 
Provincial  Congress,  to  prepare  form  of  government,  com- 
mittee of  thirteen,  1776-77.  Member  of  Council  of  Appoint- 
ment, 1777.  Member  of  Council  of  Safety,  1777-78.  State 
Senator,  ist  to  13th  sessons,  inclusive,  1777-92.  City 
Receiver,  1778-79.  First  Postmaster  of  Albany.  1783.  Dele- 
gate to  Continental  Congress,  1787-88.  Patriotic,  energetic 
in  citv  affairs. 


31.     ABRAHAM  YATES,  Jun. 
I 790- I 796. 
From  a  photograph  of  the  oil  painting  by  Robert,  that  was  owned  in  1890 
by  Senator  Abraham  Lansing  of  Albany. 


No.   31.  ABRAHAM    VAXES,    J  UN.  379 

1790-1791. 

(Continued  from  Xo.  30.) 
1790. 


Abraham  Yates,  Jun..  sworn  as  the  Alayor  of  Albany,  succeeding 

John  Lansing,  Jun.,  having  been  appointed  such  on  Oct.  13th, 

•   by  Gov.  George  CHnton,  Oct.  19. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Dec.  8. 

Dominie  Eilardus  Westerlo,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Holland 
in  the  latter  part  of  1760  to  be  the  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Dvitch 
Church  of  this  city,  which  office  he  held  for  31  years  with  great 
respect  for  his  piety  and  learning  and  had  married  the  widow 
of  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  aged  53  years  (buried  in  the  A'an 
Rensselaer  family  vault)  dies,  Dec.  26. 

Population  of  the  towns  of  Albany  county  at  this  time :  Albany, 
3,506;  Ballston,  6,823;  Cambridge,  4,967;  Cattskill,  1,988;  Cox- 
sakie,  3,416;  Duanesburgh,  1,495;  Easton  2,502;  Freehold, 
1,748;  Halfmoon,  3,607;  Hosack,  3,033  ;  Pittstown,  2,425  ;  Rens- 
selaer-ville,  2,777  5  Rensselaerswyck,  8,048 ;  Saratoga,  3,081  ; 
Schaticook,  1,617;  Schenectady,  4,317;  Schohary,  2,069;  Ste- 
phentown,  7,042;  Stillwater,  3.052;  Water-Vliet,  7,667;  total, 
75,180,  (from  which  transcription  of  the  list  of  the  time  stated, 
in  1900  seems  odd  that  some  of  the  small  towns  had  twice  the 
population  of  Albany.  ).  Dec.  31. 


1  791. 


Troy  chartered  as  a  village,  having  at  this  time  some  70  shops. 

By  Act  of  Legislature  Albany  loses  a  large  portion  of  her  territory 
as  a  county  in  the  formation  of  Saratojra  and  Rensselaer  coun- 
ties being  formed  therefrom  ;  the  part  east  of  the  Hudson  named 
Rensselaer,  with  29,634  inhabitants ;  that  north  of  the  Mohawk 
named  Saratoga,  with  17,463  inhabitants;  and  what  is  left  of 
Albany  county  with  28,192  inhabitants,  and  at  the  same  time 
the  tow'n  of  Rensselaerswyck  was  divided  into  two  towns, 

Feb.  7. 

Coeymans  formed  from  Watervliet,  March  18. 


380  ABRAHAM  YATES,  JUN.  No.  3 1. 

1791-1792. 

First  mail  route  by  stage-coach  established  with  Bennington,  Vt.,  on 
its  30th  anniversary  of  its  settlement,  March  25. 

River  open  to  navigation,  March  27. 

Colonic  set  apart  as  a  district,  March  31. 

Sloop  Xancy  makes  trip  to  New  York  and  back  in  7  days,       April. 

I'rinters  refuse  to  buy  rags  because  of  smallpox  epidemic,    April  18. 

Earthquake  shock  felt  at  10  a.  m..  May  16. 

raving  of  No.  Market  street  (Broadway)  uses  so  many  thousand 
loads  of  cobbles  that  there  is  a  dearth  of  that  sort  of  stone, 

June. 

Many  emigrants  to  the  "  Far  West,"  as  the  Genesee  valley  is  termed, 
passing  through  the  city  from  New  England  states,  June. 

Samuel  Cook,  aged  84  years,  condemned  to  be  hanged  for  forgery, 

June. 

Market  built  on  No.  Market  street  (Broadway)  between  Yonkers 
(State)  street  and  Maiden  Lane,  costing-  $1,110. 

Fredenrich  meat  market  (of  1900)  established  by  John  C.  Freden- 
rich  on  No.  Market  street  near  Maiden  Lane. 

John  Stewart,  famous  English  pedestrian  who  had  toured  on  foot 
Europe,  Asia  and  Africa,  arrives  here  on  his  way  to  Canada, 

July  28. 

Methodists  erecting  their  first  edifice  at  the  s.  e.  cor.  Orange  and  No. 
Pearl  streets,  a  wooden  building,  August. 

Dominie  John  Bassett  publishes  his  collection  of  "  Psalms,  Hymns 
and  Spiritual  Sorigs,"  for  the  use  of  the  Reformed  Protestant 
Dutch  Church  in  North  America,  September. 

Erie  canal  conceived  by  Elkanah  Watson,  who  explores  the  ground 
from  Schnectady  to  Geneva. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Peter  Lansingh,  John  W.  Wen- 
dell, L  Jacob  Bleecker,  Jun.,  John  N.  Bleecker,  IL  Abraham 
Schuyler,  Samuel  Stringer,  IIL     Election,  Sept.  27;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  II. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Dec.  6. 

Citizens  hold  a  meeting  and  form  an  association  they  style  the 
Albany  Library,  each  subscribing  $25,  Dec.  20. 


1792. 


Citizens  of  this  city  start  subscriptions  to  erect  a  college  on  a  public 
square  in  Albany  to  be  selected  (resulting  in  establishment  of 
Union   College),  Jan.   4. 


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No.   31.  ABRAHAM    YATES,    JUN.  381 

1792. 


Fire-engine  to  be  puni])ed  by  hand  (the  second  had  been  bought  in 
1763)  purchased  of  John  ^lason  of  Philadelphia  and  installed 
in  a  shed  at  the  n.  w.  corner  of  the  old  English  church  in  Yonk- 
ers  (State)   street. 

Post-road  established  l)y  CongTcss  from  this  city,  through  Sche- 
nectady to  Canajoharie  and  fixing  the  rate  of  postage  that  may 
be  charged,  Feb.  i. 

Men  of  wealth  assemble  at  Robert  Lewis'  City  Tavern  ( s.  e.  cor. 
State  and  Pearl  streets)  to  discuss  establishing"  a  bank  in  this 
city,  there  never  having  been  any  institution  of  the  sort,  at  which 
Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  presides,  and  a  committee  is  named 
to  formulate  the  plans,  consisting  of  Cornelius  Glen,  John  Tay- 
ler,  Daniel  Hale,  Gerrit  W.  Van  Schaick  and  Abraham  \"an 
Vechten,  Feb.  3. 

The  financial  men  hold  a  second  meeting  at  Lewis'  Tavern  and  de- 
cide to  call  the  proposed  institution  the  "  Albany  Bank."  Feb.  10. 

Subscription  books  for  the  proposed  Albany  Bank  opened  at  the 
City  Tavern,  with  deposits  of  $15  per  share,  which  are  over- 
run in  less  than  three  hours,  Feb.  17. 

Presbyterian,  first  church  in  Rensselaerville,  Rev.  Samuel  Fuller, 
established. 

Incorporation  of  the  Albany  Library  as  "  The  Trustees  of  the 
Albany  Library,"  which  had  been  organized  on  Dec.  20th,  1791. 
naming  as  such  trustees :  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  John  Lansing, 
Jun.,  Philip  Schu3'ler.  Stej^hen  Van  Rensselaer,  Jeremiah  A^an 
Rensselaer,  Thomas  Ellison,  John  McDonald,  James  Fairlie, 
Daniel  Hale,  Hunloke  Woodruff,  Goldsbrow  Banyar,  and 
Stephen  Lush,  with  Abraham  Ten  Broeck  as  president,  James 
Van  Ingen  as  treasurer  and  first  librarian,  Feb.  24. 

Because  of  the  insurrection  of  the  blacks  on  plantations  of  island  of 
Hispanola  a  society  is  organized  here  to  manufacture  maple 
sugar,  and  8,000.  kettles,  holding  100  pounds,  are  made  to  be 
sold  here  and  throughout  the  state,  Feb.  25. 

Albany  Bank  elects  directors :  Philip  Schuyler.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck, 
Stephen  \  an  Rensselaer,  Goldsbrow  Banyar,  Jeremiah  A'an 
Rensselaer,  Cornelius  Glen,  Daniel  Hale,  John  Maley,  James 
Caldwell,  John  Stevenson,  Stephen  Lush,  Albert  Pawling  and 
John  Sanders,  Feb.  27. 

River  open  to  navigation.  IVIarch  17. 

Bank  of  Albany  incorporated,  April  10. 

Greenbush  (Lidian  term  Tuscameatic-Aet,  or  Green  Bosch,  Pine 
Woods),  a  town,  April  10. 

Bank  of  Albany  elects  AlM-aham  Ten  Broeck  president.  June  12. 


382  ABRAHAM   YATES,  JUN.  No.  3 1. 

1792-1793. 

Joseph  Brant,  celebrated  Indian  warrior,  on  his  way  to  transact  busi- 
ness of  national  import  at  Philadelphia,  passes  through,     June. 

Bank  of  Albany  opens  at  the  third  house  from  State  street  on  east 
side  of  No.  Pearl  street  (No.  ii  in  1900)  with  Gerrit  W.  Van 
Schaick  its  first  cashier,  July  16. 

Third  Albany  newspaper.  Norther  Intelligencer,  started  by  Sol.  Bal- 
lentine  and  C.  R.  Webster. 

Alineral  spring  with  supposedly  great  mineral  value  discovered 
on  the  hill  across  the  river,  Ji-^ly- 

Directors  of  the  Northern  Inland  Lock  Navigation  Co.,  with  Philip 
Schuyler  president,  meet  and  discuss  making  a  survey  between 
the  Hudson  and  the  streams  leading  to  Lake  Champlain,  assisted 
by  a  Scotchman  named  Nesbit  who  understood  the  science  of 
canals,  July  27. 

Western  Inland  Lock  Navigation  Co.,  organizes,  choosing  Philip 
Schuyler  president  and  Barent  Bleecker  the  treasurer,  intending 
to  improve  the  JNIohawk  to  Little  Falls.  Aug.  11. 

South  ferry  pays  the  city  for  year's  lease,  $5,890. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Peter  Lansingh,  John  W.  Wen- 
dell, I.  John  N.  Bleecker,  Isaac  D.  Fonda,  II.  Abraham 
Schuyler,  Samuel  Stringer,  III.     Election,  Sept.  25  ;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  9. 

Stage  line  started  to  Whitestone  in  Oneida  county.  100  miles,  leaving 
from  the  office  of  the  Gazette,  and  ^Messrs.  Webster  offer  to  for- 
ward letters  gratuitously,  December. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Dec.  12. 


1793. 


Fire  ranks,  a  line  of  men,  women  and  youths,  ordered  to  pass  up 
and  return  fire-buckets,  each  house  required  to  hang  three 
buckets  in  its  hall  way  and  attend  fires,  the  engines  being  filled 
by  these  buckets  and  then  thrown  by  handpumping. 

Albany  Alechanics  Society  organized  with  John  W.  Wendell  presi- 
dent, for  relief  of  the  widows  and  orphans,  which  for  many 
years  was  to  do  good  service,  Jan.  10. 

Regents  recommend  establishment  of  common  school  system. 

Specimens  of  maple  sugar  product  shown  before  the  Legislature, 
and  bill  introduced  to  grant  premiums  on  sugar  from  the  maple 
of  from  2  to  4  cents  per  pound,  February. 

Ref'd  Dutch  Church  (Rev.  Jacob  Sickles)  established,  Coeymans, 

^Sfarch  S- 


1 


XO.    31.  ABRAHAM    VAXES.    JUX.  383 

1793. 

Chains  stretched  across  So.  Pearl  street  by  consent  of  the  Common 
Council  barring  vehicles  passing  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
during  services. 

River  opened  to  navigation,  March  6. 

Societ}-  for  Promotion  of  Agriculture.  Arts  and  Manufactures  (the 
original  of  one  of  the  bodies  later  forming  the  Albany  Insti- 
tute )  chartered. 

Bethlehem  erected  a  township  and  is  taken  from  \\'atervliet, 

March  12. 

Common  Council  passes  ordinance  that  no  gutters  henceforth  shall 
project  as  they  had  since  ancient  times,  far  out  into  the  street 
from  the  eaves,  drenching  passersby,  ]May. 

Legislature  grants  a  loan  of  3.000  Eng.  pounds  for  eight  years  to 
the  glass  manufactory  at  a  place  called  the  Glass  House,  eight 
miles  west  of  the  city,  owned  by  IMcClallen.  McGregor  &  Co., 
in  which  firm  were  James  Caldwell  and  Christopher  Batterman. 

Bank  of  Albany  after  a  year  in  operation  declares  a  dividend  of 
S4.25  per  share,  the  shares  selling  originally  by  subscription  for 
$15,  May  14. 

First  stage  line  connection  with  Ballston.  opened  by  John  Hudson 
of  Schenectady  and  John  Rogers  of  Ballston,  but  running  to 
this  city,  July  10. 

IMoses  Beal  starts  a  stage  line  to  Schenectady,  Johnstown  and  Cana- 
joharie,  leaving  twice  a  week,  fare  3  cents  per  mile,  July. 

River  front  leases  in  perpetuity  started. 

Methodist  church  erected  at  Coeymans. 

Ezra  Ames,  celebrated  local  portrait  painter,  opens  a  studio  in  Mark 
Lane,  August 

Reverdy  Randolph  and  Timothy  Pickering,  two  of  the  commission- 
ers who  had  been  sent  to  treat  with  the  far  west  Indians,  hostile 
in  nature,  return  and  report  that  the  Indians  had  insisted  that 
the  western  boundan,-  of  the  L'nited  States  be  the  Ohio  river, 

Sep.  6. 

Hon.  Jacob  Coenraedt  Ten  Eyck,  who  had  been  the  22nd  ]\Iayor  of 
Albany.  (1748-1750)  a  man  of  wealth  and  integrity  of  char- 
acter, ]\Iember  of  Committee  of  Safets;.  Commissioner  of  In- 
dian Affairs,  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and  who 
was  born  at  Albany  on  Apr.  21.  1705.  the  son  of  Coenraedt 
Ten  Eyck  and  Geertje  ^*an  Schaick.  dies,  Sept.  9. 

Citizens  agitate  the  matter  of  lighting  the  streets  with  lamps, 

Sept.  12. 

A  committee  of  physicians  call  upon  ''  Col.  Alexancter  Hamilton 
and  his  lady  "  who  had  come  from  Philadelphia  and  were  guests 
at  the  Schuyler  Mansion,  because  of  the  prevalence  of  yellow 


384  ABRAHAM   YATES,  JUN.  No.   3I. 


1793-1794. 


fever  in  that  city,  and  report  them  to  be  in  excellent  health  and 
nnlikely  to  spread  the  pestilence  amono-  citizens.  Sept.  23. 

Charter  election  for  aldermen  and  assistants  of  the  six  wards. 

Sept.  24. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Abraham  Ten  Eyck,  Philip  S. 
van  Rensselaer,  I.  John  N.  Bleecker,  Jacob  J.  Lansingh,  II. 
Jeremiah  Lansingh,  Dirck  Ten  Broeck,  III.  Election,  Sept.  24; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Stage  line  inaugurated  to  Northampton  "  crossing  mountains  that 
had  hitherto  been  considered  an  insurmountable  route," 

November. 

One  of  the  largest  fires  ever  experienced  at  Albany,  starting  in  the 
stable  of  Leonard  Gansevoort  and  consuming  most  of  the  block 
bounded  by  Broadway,  Maiden  Lane,  James  and  State  streets, 
principally  along  Broadway,  and  the  Gazette  office  at  No.  36 
State  street,  John  Maley  the  chief  loser,  loss  about  $250,000 
and  26  houses  destroyed,  Nov.  17. 

Slaves  having  been  known  to  fire  buildings  about  the  city,  and  sus- 
pected as  the  incendiaries  of  Nov.  17th,  the  Common  Council 
passes  a  law  that  no  slave  shall  be  abroad  after  9  o'clock  at 
night  under  penalty  of  confinement  in  the  jail,  Nov.  25. 

Common  Council  ordains  that  "  no  butcher  or  other  person  shall 
sell  or  dispose  of  any  lamb,  mutton,  veal,  pork  or  other  dead 
victual  for  more  than  four  pence  per  pound,  under  a  penalty 
of  eight  shillings  for  ver}'  such  oft'ence,"  Nov.  25. 

Volckert  P.  Douw's  slave  Dinah  executed  on  Pinxter  Hill  for  setting 
fire  to  Leonard  Gansevoort's  barn  on  Nov.  17th,  thus  starting 
the  large  conflagration  with  $250,000  loss,  November. 

Common  Council  passes  a  law  establishing  a  night  watch,  consist- 
ing of  24  persons  each  night,  drawn  from  male  inhabitants  over 
16  years  of  age,  to  assemble  at  8  p.  m.  on  notice  of  the  mar- 
shal and  serve  until  daybreak  under  penalty  of  6  shillings,  and 
those  over  60  years  of  age  might  send  a  substitute,         Nov.  2J. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Dec.  2^. 


1794. 


Negro  slave  named  Pomp  is  charged  with  setting  fire  to  Leonard 
Gansevoort's  stable,  causing  the  disastrous  conflagration  of 
November  17th,  found  guilty  and  ordered  to  be  hung  on  Janu- 
ary 24th,  also  Bet  and  Dan,  two  female  slaves,  found  guilty 
and  ordered  hanged  at  same  time,  Jan.  6. 


ALBANY  MAP  OF  1794. 

An  interesting  map  of  the  city,  with  former  names  of  streets,  made  for  the  Mayor, 
Aldermen  and  Commonalty,  by  Surveyor  Simeon  De  Witt  in  1794. 


No.   31.  ABRAHAM    VATHS,    jl'X.  385 

1794. 

The  three  negro  slaves  who  were  to  be  hanged  this  day  for  setting 
fire  to  Leonard  Gansevoort's  stable,  granted  a  respite  of  six 
weeks  of  grace,  Jan.  24. 

Citizens  send  $866.40  to  Philadelphia  fire  sufferers,  Jan.  28. 

JVIr.  Holt  of  Cherry  Hill,  near  south  bounds  of  the  city  brings  a  cow 
weighing  over  1,100  pounds  to  market.  February. 

Those  in  jail  imprisoned  for  debt  petition  the  Legislature  for  a  law 
.   to  compel   their  creditors  to  support  them  while   imprisoned, 
which  would  have  the  effect  that  no  creditor  would  wish  to 
press  a  man  for  money  due  lest  he  be  imprisoned  and  become 
a  charge,  February. 

Dock  association  formed,'  Maiden  Lane  to  State  street. 
Suft'erers  by  fires  of  importance  recently  here  and  at  Lansingburg, 
petition  the  Legislature  to  be  allowed  to  recoup  their  losses  by 
a  lottery  and  the  committee  considering  the  matter  of  the  opin- 
ion the  cases  were  meritorious  and  according  bring  in  a  bill, 

February. 

Bank  of  Albany  increases  its  capital  from  $75,000  to  $540,000  (135 

shares  $400  each),  February. 

The  two  negro  female  slaves  hanged  for  setting  fire  to  Leonard 

Gansevoort's  stable,  wdiich  spread  disastrously,  March  14. 

River  open  to  navigation.  March  17. 

Proposals  for  building  the  First  Presbyterian  church  at  the  n.  e. 

corner  of  So.  Pearl  and  Beaver  streets,  64  x  76  feet,    March  28. 

Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  son  of  Gen.  Henry  K.  Van  Rensselaer  of 

Rensselaerswyck  promoted  to  captaincy  in  U.  S.  cavalry, 

March. 

Pomp,  charged  with  firing  Leonard  Gansevoort's  stable,  Nov.   17, 

1793,  confesses,  which  confessions  are  sold  at  No.  2  Pearl  street, 

and  he  is  hanged  accordingly,  April  11. 

Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  elected  member  of  Williams  College  cor- 

ooration,  May  19, 

Anna   De    Peyster   Douw,    wife   of   ex-Mayor   A'olckert   P.    Douw 

(burial   at  Wolven   Hoeck,   Douws   Point)    dies   at   her  home 

ac.oss  the  river,  June  14. 

Bank  of  Albany  builds  on  west  side  of  Broadway,  six  doors  north  of 

State  street. 

Jacob  J.  Lansing,  an  alderman  and  magistrate,  a  "  God-fearing  man 

and  valuable  friend,"  dies,  June  21. 

Western  Inland  Lock  Navigation  Co.  contracts  with  four  companies 

of  laborers  to  dig  the  canal,  June  22. 

Trade  in  wheat  very  extensive,  July. 

James  Caldwell's  chocolate  mill,  one  mile  north  of  the  city,  burns 

with  loss  of  $65,000,  being  entirely  consumed,  July  12. 


386  ABRAHAM   YATES,  JUN.  No.   3I. 

1794-1795. 

Jacob  Waldron  and  wife,  who  had  been  captured  by  Shawnee  In- 
dians with  a  part  of  Gen.  Wayne's  army,  but  escaped  in  March, 
arrive  from  Detroit  and  helped  financially  on  their  way  by 
Humane  Society,  October. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  Philip 
S.  van  Rensselaer,  I.  Barent  G.  Staats,  Kunloke  Woodruff,  II. 
Theodorus  A".  W.  Graham,  John  Jauncey,  III.  Election,  Sept. 
30;  sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 

Teunis  \  isscher  dies.  Oct.  16. 

Fare  to  New  York  by  stage-coach  $7.25,  time  two  days,        October. 

Common  Council  advertises  for  proposals  to  supply  the  city  with 
water  by  an  aqueduct  from  the  spring  at  Five-Mile  House  on 
the  Schenectady  turnpike,  Nov.  10. 

Bank  of  Albany  pays  semi-annual  dividend  of  4^'7f,  Nov.  14. 

Extensive  glass  factory  eight  miles  west  of  city  in  full  and  success- 
ful operation,  giving  employment  to  numerous  citizens.     Dec.  2. 

Abraham  Bloodgood  sells  to  Mayor  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  and  the 
Commonalty  "  a  certain  Negro  Male  Slave  being  a  Chimney 
Sweep,  called  Caesar."  for  85  Eng.  pounds  of  lawful  monev  of 
the  State  of  New  York,  Dec.  5. 

Stephen  A'an  Rensselaer  prohibits  any  further  cutting  of  firewood 
upon  his  estates,  excepting  those  who  had  permit  by  deed,  end- 
ing a  custom  that  had  been  in  vogue  a  century  and  a  half, 

Dec.  15. 

Albanians  having  suscribed  6,000  Eng.  pounds  towards  erection  of 
a  college  are  disappointed  upon  the  Regents  voting  11  to  3  to 
establish  it  at  Schenectadv,  Dec.  22. 


1795. 


City  seal,  the  third  ever  used  and  bearing  arms,  is  first  used  as  a  seal 

with  wax  (  as  far  as  since  discovered  ). 
Streets  first  lighted,  January. 

Lansingburg  known  as  New  City  at  this  time,  being  designated  by 

the  Dutch  "'  de  nieuwe  stad,"  Albany  being  referred  to  as  "  de 

oude  stad." 
Postmaster  at  Albany  at  this  time  George  W.  Mancius,         January. 
John  Hudson  running  two  stages  daily  to  Schenectady,  drawn  by 

four  horses,  January. 

River  closed  to  navigation  for  the  season,  Jan.  12. 

So  much  emigration  to  the  western  part  of  the  state  (called  the  Far 

West)  that  500  sleighs  pass  through  the  city  in  one  day  and  a 


No.   31.  ABRAHAM   YATES,   JUN.  387 

1795. 

count  shows   1,200  sleighs,  mostly  from   New   England  states 

passing  westward  through  this  city  in  three  days,  containing 

families  with  their  household  goods,  h'ebruary. 

Union  College  founded,  John  Blair  Smith,  President,  Feb.  25. 

Arent  Van  Curlaer,  aged  107  years,  dies  at  Mapletown,  Rensselaer 

county,  March  i 

Legislature  passes  bill  subscribing  for  200  shares  of  the  Inland  Lock 

companies  now  building  canals,  March. 

Legislative  Act  dividing  Rensselaerville  and  forming  the  new  town 

to  be  called  Berne.  March  17. 

Schoharie  county  formed  from  Albany  county.  April  6. 

Legislature  appropriates  $ioo_,ooo  annually  for  5  years  to  encourage 

the  schools  of  the  state,  Albany  county  being  allotted  $3,750, 

April  7. 
Fifty  sailing  vessels  arrive  nere  on  the  beginning  of  the  open  season. 
The  MacGregor  &  Co.  Glass  works  firm  dissolved  and  formed  under 

the  title  of  Thomas  ]\Iather  &  Co.,  April  17. 

At  the  election  John  Jay  chosen  governor,  Stephen  \^an  Rensselaer 

of  Albany  the  lieut. -governor  and  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  senator, 

April  28. 
Thermometer  14  degrees  below  zjro,  unusual  for  this  season, 

April  30. 
Flour  selling  for  $10  a  barrel  m  New  York  and  in  France,  shipped 

there,  from  $15  to  $20  per  barrel,  June  15. 

J3avis  Hunt  of  WatervUet  gives  a  deed  of  sale  of  his  negro  slave 

Pompey  to  the  Mayor,  Alderman  and  Commonalty  of  the  City 
.  of  Albany  for  the  sum  of  65  Eng.  pounds  of  lawful  money  of 

the  state,  June  22. 

John  Ja3^  elected  in  April,  becomes  governor,  July  i. 

Bank  of  Albany  moves  into  its  new  building  on  west  side  of  Broad- 
way, six  doors  nortli  of  State  street,  July  20. 
Cohoes  bridge  opened,  July  24. 
Sloops  running  regularly  to  Albany  number  ninety,  July  30. 
Jacob  Kidney,  many  years  high  constable,  dies,  Aug.  19. 
Henry  Ten  Eyck,  a  highly  respected  citizen,  dies,  Sept.  14. 
Captain  John,  an  Oneida  sachem  and  one  who  had  usually  spoken 

for  his  tribe  in  making  treaties,  dies  here  and  numerous  Indians 

attend  his  burial,  with  their  rites,  in  the  Presbyterian  cemetery, 

Sept.    15. 
Henry  Wendell,  former  sheriff,  aged  63,  dies,  Oct.  i. 

Mayor  Yates  is  again  appointed  Mayor  of  Albany,  ( )ct.  2. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :     Arie  Lagrange,  Philip  S.  van 

Rensselaer,  I.     Barent  G.  Staats,  Kunloke  Woodruff.  II.    Peter 


388  ABRAHAM   YATES,  J  UN.  No.   3I. 

1795-1796. 

W.  Douw,  Jeremiah  Lansingh,  III.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn 

in,  Oct.  13. 

Francois  Alexandre  Frederic,  due  de  la  Rochefoucault  Liancourt,  a 

noted  French  officer,  visits  Albany  and  makes  notes  for  his  book 

"  Voyage  dans  les  Etats-Unis." 
Lighting  of  the  city  required  during  the  year  257  gallons  of  oil, 

Dec.  31. 


1796. 


Morse's  American  Geography,  printed  this  year,  declares  Albany 
water  to  be  "  extremely  bad,  scarcely  drinkable." 

John  Clark  and  Reuben  King  start  stage  line  to  Boston,       January. 

River  closed  to  navigation  for  the  season,  Jan.  23. 

Stage  fare  to  New  York  at  this  time  $10,  February. 

Legislative  Act  allowing  Albany  to  obtain  water  by  conduit, 

February. 

Rev.  John  B.  Johnson  made  colleague  of  Rev.  John  Bassett, 

March  23. 

Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  Daniel  Hale,  Jeremiah 
Van  Rensselaer  and  Tenuis  Van  Vechten  appointed  commis- 
sioners to  build  a  state  prison  at  Albany,  March  26. 

Glass  in  large  quantities  produced  in  Colonic,  March. 

Yonkers  (State)  street  ordered  paved  from  Broadway  to  public 
square  on  the  hilL  March. 

Messrs.  Beeckman,  Van  Vechten,  Van  Rensselaer  and  Bleecker  ap- 
pointed by  the  Dutch  Church  consistory  to  procure  materials 
for  a  new  edifice  to  be  erected  on  west  side  of  No.  Pearl  street, 

May  10. 

Subscriptions  started  to  erect  a  Roman  Catholic  chapel  at  the  n.  w. 
corner  of  Pine  and  Barrack  (Chapel)  streets,  to  face  upon  the 
former  street,  by  Thomas  Barry  and  Louis  Le  Coulteaux,  June. 

Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Mayor  of  Albany,  dies,  June  30. 

The  commission  to  erect  a  state  prison  buys  six  acres  at  Broadway 
and  Lawrence  street,  that  later  becomes  site  of  state  arsenal 
and  then  School  No.  13,  July. 

Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck  appointed  the  Mayor  of  Albany. 

•         •         • 
(See  No.  28.) 


1 


No.  32. 


5pI}tUp  i^rl|«gbr  Ian  SmsH^km 


Jan.  1,  1799  —}xx\y  7.  1816. 

5i;  *  * 

July  3,  1819  — Feb.  18,  1821. 


No.  32. 
PHILIP    SCHUYLER    VAN    RENSSELAER. 

Date  of  oMce:     (a)   January  i,  1799-July  7,  1816. 

(b)   July  3,  1819-February  18,  1821. 

Date  of  appointment:     (a)    December  27,  1798. 
(bj   July  3,  1819. 

Appointed  by:     (a)   Governor  John  Jay. 

(b)   Governor  DeWitt  Clinton. 

Date  of  birth:     April  15,  1766. 

Place  of  birth:     Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House. 

Parents:     Stephen   (V.  R.)   and  Catherine  Livingston. 

Education:     Good  schooling. 

Married  to:     Anne  De  Peyster  Van  Cortlandt.      (d.  Jan.  10,  1855.) 

Date:     1787. 

Children:     None. 

Residence:     North  side  State  street,  east  corner  Chapel  street. 

Occupation:     Banker. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     September  25,  1824. 

Place  of  death:     No.  85  State  street. 

Place  of  burial:  A^an  Rensselaer  Manor  Groimd  (later  Rural  Ceme- 
tery). 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Grandson  of  Philip  Livingston,  "  Signer."  Public 
spirited.  Moral.  Promoter  of  education.  President  of  the 
Bank  of  Albany. 


1 


32.     PHILIP  SCHUYLER  VAN   RENSSELAER. 
1799-1816;  1819-21. 
From   an   oiL  portrait  o^v^ed  in    1904  by  Mrs.   Alexander   Wells   of   Grove 
Hill.  N.  Y. 


No.    32.  PHILIP   SCHUYLER   VAX    RENSSELAER.  39I 

1799. 

(Continued  from  No.  28.) 
1799. 


Philip  Schuyler  Van  Rensselaer,  having  been  appointed  Mayor  of 
Albany  on  Dec.  2^,  1798,  by  Governor  John  Jay,  to  succeed 
Mayor  Abraham  Ten  Broeck.  he  assumes  the  office  of  Mayor, 

Jan.  I. 

The  State  Hall  or  Capitol,  ordered  built  for  the  state  officers  and 
the  filing  of  state  documents  and  as  a  place  for  transaction  of 
state  matters,  completed  at  the  southwest  corner  of  State  and 
Lodge  streets. 

Cayuga  chiefs  arrive  prepared  to  arrange  with  the  Legislature  for 
the  sale  of  all  lands  remaining  to  them  in  the  state,       January. 

Great  Western  Turnpike  Company  incorporated. 

Steps  taken  to  erect  a  state  arsenal  by  Henry  L  Bogart  advertising 
for  proposals  to  erect  the  same  on  a  lot  bought  by  the  state  for 
a  state  prison,  southeast  corner  of  No.  Market  (Broadway)  and 
Lawrence  streets  (which  property  the  city  bought  in  1858  for 
purposes  of  School  No.  13),  January. 

Company  incorporated  to  establish  a  turnpike  from  Albany  to 
Lebanon  Springs. 

First  drawing  of  the  N.  Y.  State  Road  Lottery,  consisting  of  6,458 
prizes  amounting  to  $125,000,  and  18,542  blanks,  a  total  of 
25,000  tickets  at  $5  apiece,  considered  a  most  worthy  public  ob- 
ject, commenced  according  to  laws  of  1797,  May  14. 

Western  Inland  Lock  Navigation  Co.  declares  yfc  dividend,   May  17. 

Common  Council  passes  a  law  requiring  constables  "  to  stop  all 
manner  of  persons  who  shall  be  riding  for  pleasure,  or  who 
may  expose  any  articles  for  sale  on  Sunday,"  June  21. 

Channel  made  in  the  river  between  Troy  and  Lansingburg  30  feet 
wide  and  5  feet  deep  at  low  water,  doing  away  with  "  Lower 
Reef,"  June. 

Churches  raise  $555.87  for  New  York  city  yellow  fever  sick, 

June  19. 

Ordered  that  a  loaf  of  superfine  flour  weigh  12  oz.  and  of  tail  flour 
to  weigh  I  lb.  and  sell  for  6  pence.  June. 

Barber  &  Southwick  open  a  circulating  library  with  400  volumes, 
charging  $4  per  annum  to  subscribers,  July- 

Second  or  South  Dutch  Reformed  Church  being  erected  on  south 
side  of  Beaver,  through  to  Hudson  street  (avenue),  midway 
between  So.  Pearl  and  Green  streets,  July. 


392  PHILIP  SCHUYLER  VAN   RENSSELAER.  No.    32. 

1799-1800. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  George  Merchant,  Isaac  Bo- 
gart,  I.  Jeremiah  Lansingh,  Barent  G.  Staats,  II.  Enoch 
Leonard,  Peter  Dox,  III.     Election,  Sept.  24;  sworn  in, 

Oct.  8. 

Directors  of  the  First  Company  of  the  Great  Western  Turnpike 
Road  advertise  for  contractors  to  begin  at  Schoharie  creek  and 
work  westward,  the  width  to  be  28  feet,  the  material  to  be  stone 
or  gravel,  Charles  R.  AVebster,  secretary. 

City  taxed  $4,184  for  night-watch,  whale-oil  for  street-lighting 
lamps,  maintenance  of  the  poor  and  public  schools,  for  one  year. 

Death  of  George  Washington  at  Mount  A'ernon  on  Dec.  14th  an- 
nounced at  Albany  on  the  arrival  of  post-riders  in  9  days  after 
it  transpired,  and  immediately  the  Common  Council  resolves  that 
the  bells  be  tolled  that  afternoon  from  3  to  5  o'clock  and  that 
aldermen  wear  crape  upon  the  arm  for  six  weeks,  Dec.  23. 


1800. 


Population  of  the  city  5,349  and  of  state  586,756,  Jan.  i. 

Slaves  in  the  state  at  this  time  number  33,343,  Jan.  i. 

River  closed   (since  spring  of  1799),  Jan.  3. 

First  local  letter-carrier,  William  Winne,  delivering,  Jan.  5. 

Albany  observes  funeral  solemnities  in  honor  of  the  late  President 
Washington,  suspends  all  business  and  participates  in  a  parade 
by  civic,  military  and  masonic  bodies,  as  well  as  the  law,  physic 
and  divinity,  all  uniting  in  one  grand  pageant  the  like  of  which 
had  never  been  witnessed  at  Albany,  Thursday,  Jan.  9. 

City  streets  lighted  at  night  by  whale-oil  lamps  which  extend  at  no 
spot  further  than  half  a  mile  back  of  the  river,  the  rest  of  the 
land  being  unsettled  upon,  Feb.  i. 

The  Legislature  having  determined  to  set  apart  Washington's  birth- 
day as  a  fitting  time  to  commemorate  his  great  deeds  and  many 
virtues,  it  is  observed  by  an  oration  at  9  a.  m.  at  St.  Mary's 
Roman  Catholic  Church  by  Rev.  Matthew  O'Brien,  a  procession 
starting  from  the  City  Hall  (So.  Market  St.,  Broadway)  moving 
through  State  and  up  No.  Pearl  street  to  the  North  Dutch 
Reformed  Church,  where  Rev.  John  B.  Johnson,  pastor,  deliv- 
ered a  sermon,  Revs.  Bassett  and  Nott  assisting  in  the  exercises, 
followed  in  the  afternoon  by  an  oration  from  Maj.  Michael 
Gabriel  Houdin  in  the  City  Hall,  Feb.  22. 


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No.    T^2.  PHILIP    SCHUYLER    VAN    RENSSELAER.  393 

1800-1801. 

Harmanus  P.  Sclniyler  succeeds  John  Given  as  county  sherifif. 

Scow  drawn  by  a  rope  used  as  a  ferry  and  the  only  means  of  com- 
munication with  lands  across  the  Hudson  river. 

John  V.  Henry  appointed  state  comptroller,  March  12. 

Greene  county,  named  after  Gen.  Nathaniel  Greene,  formed  from 
Albany  and  Ulster  counties,  IMarch  25. 

John  Maude,  an  English  tourist,  declares  in  a  description  of  the  city 
that  Albany  water  is  "  a  pleasant,  wholesome  beverage." 

Ground  to  the  westward  of  Aliddle  Public  Square  (State,  Knox  and 
Willett  streets)  made  a  public  burial-place. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  George  Merchant,  Sebastian 
Visscher,  I.  Rensselaer  Westerlo,  James  Caldwell,  H.  Peter 
Dox,  John  Jauncey,  HI.  Gerrit  Bogart,  Abraham  Bloodgood, 
IV.     Election,  Sept. ;  sworn  in,  Oct.   14. 


1801. 


River  open  to  navigation,  Feb.  28. 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  elected  lieutenant-governor,  on  Demo- 
cratic ticket,  although  in  Albany  county  (his  locality)  he  had 
but  789  votes  in  comparison  with  his  opponent,  J.  Watson,  on 
Federalist  ticket,  who  had  2,048  votes,  and  George  Clinton  was 
elected  governor,  with  24,808  votes,  to  Stephen  Van  Rensse- 
laer's 20,843  votes. 

Gen.  Stephen  \'an  Rensselaer's  wife,  Margaret  Schuyler  (bap.  Sept. 
24,  1758)  dies.  March. 

Death  of  Volckert  Pietrus  Douw,  the  25th  Mayor  of  Albany,  at  his 
home  on  Douw's  Point,  Wolven-Hoeck,  opposite  the  lower  end 
of  the  city,  and  at  the  funeral  held  subsequently  the  guests  im- 
bibe so  freely  of  the  delicious  concoction  he  had  prepared  with 
spices  in  a  keg  some  time  before  in  celebration  of  this  event, 
that  they  were  transported  to  their  homes  on  ox-sleds,  March  20. 

Watervliet  village  incorporated,  March  30. 

Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  the  Patroon  of  the  ]\Ianor,  (born  Nov.  i, 
1764)  made  a  major-general  of  cavalry. 

Tontine  Coffee  House,  on  State  street,  where  so  many  public  meet- 
ings had  been  held  and  where  were  organized  some  of  the  city's 
largest  institutions,  taken  over  from  Ananias  Piatt,  who  had 
conducted  it  for  the  past  three  years,  by  Mat.  Gregory  from 
Waterford,  May  12. 


394  PHILIP   SCHUYLER  VAN    RENSSELAER.  No.    ^2, 

1801-1802. 

Gen.  Benedict  Arnold,  who  had  been  located  here  and  led  troops 
from  here  to  Ticonderoga,  dies  in  London,  June  14. 

George  Clinton,  elected  in  April,  becomes  Governor  of  New  York, 

July  I. 

Gov.  George  Clinton  arrives  at  Albany  and  takes  up  his  residence 
in  the  house  vacated  by  Gov.  John  Jay,  Nos.  66  and  68  State 
street,  July  11. 

Corner-stone  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  laid  by  Rev.  John 
McDonald,  '  Oct.    5. 

Convention  held  at  the  Capitol  to  revise  the  state's  Constitution, 
convening  this  day,  Aaron  Burr  presiding,  Oct.  13. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  George  Merchant,  Sebastian 
Visscher,  I.  Rensselaer  Westerlo,  John  Cuyler,  II.  John 
Jauncey,  Richard  S.  Treat,  III.  Gerrit  Bogart,  Abraham 
Bloodgood,  IV.     Election,  Sept.  29:  sworn  in,  Oct.   13. 

Constitutional  convention  adjourns,  Oct.  27. 

Organization  meeting  to  discuss  project  of  the  Schenectady  Turn- 
pike at  City  Tavern,  at  which  a  committee  of  nine  is  named  to 
digest  a  plan  and  report  particulars,  Nov.  3. 

Special  committee  reports  details  of  organizing  the  Schenectady 
Turnpike  road,  deciding  for  2,000  shares  of  $50  each,  this  city 
immediately  subscribing  for  1,600  shares  and  leaving  400  shares 
for  Schenectady,  no  person  being  allowed  to  hold  more  than  10 
shares,  Nov.  10. 

Stockholders  of  the  Schenectady  Turni:)ike  Co.  meet  and  elect  the 
first  board :  Hon.  John  Lansing,  Jr.,  president ;  Stephen  \^an 
Rensselaer,  Stephen  Lush.  Daniel  Hall,  John  Tayler,  Garrett  W. 
Van  Schaick,  Dudley  Walsh,  Abraham  Oothout  and  Joseph 
C.  Yates,  directors,  Nov.   24.. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record.  Dec.  6. 

For  lighting  the  city  during  the  year  1,187  gallons  of  oil  used,  cost- 
mg  320  Eng.  Pounds  (about  $1,600),  and  for  cleaning  and 
lighting  the  oil-lamp  posts  97  Eng.  pounds  ( about  $485 ) . 

Dec.  31. 


18  0?. 


United  Presbyterian  Church's  new  edifice  opened  at  the  corner  of 
Canal  (  Sheridan  ave. )  and  Chaoel  streets,  Jan.  3. 

Lawton  Annesley  (later  Annesley  &  Vint,  then  Annesley  &  Co.. 
Richard  Lord  Annesley  head  of  the  firm  in   1906  and  James. 


ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH -SECOND  EDIFICE. 
The  first  edifice,  buUt  in  m.ddle  of  State  st    (opposhe  Chapel  st.). 
I7I4-IS    size  42x58  ft.,  was  taken  down  >n  July.  1802.     On  May  7, 
x8o.   the  corner-stone  of  the  second  building  (n.  w.  cor.  State  and 
Lodge  sts.)  was  laid.     Consecrated  Oct.  4,  1803. 


No.    T,2-  PHILIP    SCHUYLKR    VAN    RENSSELAER.  395 

1802. 


\"int   with   an    indcpeiulent   store   in    1906}    establishes   an   art 
store. 

Contract  signed  to  biTikl  the  second  St.  Peter's  church  of  stone,  be- 
tween "  the  Rector  and  Inhabitants  of  the  City  of  Albany,  &c."' 
and  Philip  Plooker  (architect),  Elisha  Putnam,  Garrett  W.  Van 
Schiack  and  Samuel  Hill,  Jan.  26. 

Albany  Waterworks  Company  organized,  making  use  of  large  trunks 

■    of  trees  bored  through  the  centres  with  a  hole  of  about  two 

inches,  jointed  with  iron  pipes;  capital  $40,000:  securing  supply 

from  the  Maezlandt  kill,  northwest  of  the  city,  Feb.  2. 

Rev.  Andrew  VVilson  installed  by  the  Associate  Reformed  Pres- 
bytery of  Washington  over  the  united  congregations  of  Albany 
and  Lansingburg,  April  20. 

Killian  K.  Van  Rensselaer  elected  Congressman  by  1,306  votes  over 
Abraham  C.  Lansing  with  793  votes,  April. 

Rev.  Thomas  Ellison  of  St.  Peter's  Church  (appointed  rector  May  i, 
1787)  dies  without  beholding  the  completion  of  the  new  edifice, 
the  fund  for  which  he  had  labored  assiduously  to  raise,  aged  42, 

April  26. 

Waterworks  Company  pays  a  dividend  of  3%,  April. 

Corner-stone  of  the  new  (2nd  edifice)  St.  Peter's  church  laid  at  its 
northeast  corner  by  John  Stevenson,  vestryman,  the  building 
being  erected  at  the  northwest  corner  of  State  and  Lodge 
streets,  with  its  southeastern  corner,  at  intersection  of  these 
streets,  on  the  site  of  the  northeast  basion  of  the  removed  Fort 
Frederick,  stone  being  the  material  and  eventually  costing 
$26,767.31  (consecrating  on  Oct.  4,  1803)  Philip  Hooker,  ar- 
chitect, May  7. 

Gen.  Stephen  \^an  Rensselaer  marries  (a  second  time)  Cornelia 
Paterson,  daughter  of  Uulge  William  Paterson  of  New  Jersey, 

May. 

Bass  weighing  55  lbs.  caught  opposite  the  city,  June  9. 

Common  Council  ordains  that  no  bells  shall  be  rung  or  toll  during 
funerals  for  a  longer  time  than  20  minutes  under  $25  penalty, 

June. 
St.  Peter's  church,  its  first  edifice  (erected  in  171 5)  standing  in  the 
centre  of  State  street  opposite  Barrack  (Chapel)   street,  taken 
down,  the  work  starting,  Jwly  i- 

Adam  Todd,  sexton  of  St.  Peter's  church  is  paid  $17.50  for  "  raising, 
removing  and  interring  the  remains  of  35  persons  from  the  in- 
terior of  the  old  Church  in  State  street,"  which  he  inters  in  the 
basement  or  foundation  of  the  new  edifice  being  built,  and 
among  them  those  of  Lord  Howe,  who  fell  at  Trout  Brook,  in 


396  PHILIP   SCHUYLER  VAN   RENSSELAER.  No.    32. 

1802-1803. 

the  campaign  against  the  French  at  Ticonderoga  on  July  6,  1758, 
as  shown  by  church  records,  Jwly. 

Ground  set  apart  at  State  and  Willett  streets  for  powder-house. 

Albany  &  Schenectady  Turnpike  Co.,  makes  contract  for  clearing 
road  14  miles  long,  erecting  fences  58  feet  apart,  arch  42  feet 
broad  with  8-foot  ditches  on  both  sides,  in  depression  or  ele- 
vation not  to  exceed  more  than  4  degrees  from  the  horizontal 
at  any  place,  at  cost  of  $26,000. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Sebastian  A^isscher,  Georg-.' 
Merchant,  I.  John  Cuyler,  Douw  Fonda,  II.  John  Jauncey, 
Harmanus  P.  Schuyler,  III.  Abraham  Bloodgood,  Gerrit  Bo- 
gart,  IV.     Election,  Sept.  28;  sworn  in,  Oct.  12. 

Rev.  Frederick  Beasley  of  Elizabeth  Town,  X.  J.,  accepts  a  call  to 
come  to  St.  Peter's  Church,  Nov.  15. 

Johannes  Jacobse  Becckman,  the  29th  Mayor  of  Albany  and  born 
here  on  Aug.  8,  1733,  dies,  Dec.  17. 


1  S  O  3  . 

Albany  Aledical  Society  gives  notice  that  its  members  will  inoculate 
free  the  poor  for  the  kine-pock,  January. 

Abraham  G.  Lansing  appointed  state  treasurer.  Feb.  8. 

Comedians  styled  the  Old  American  Co.,  entertain  at  Thespian 
Hotel  on  east  side  of  No.  Pearl  street,  near  Patroon  st.  (Clin- 
ton ave.) 

Guilderland  ( named  from  Guilderlandt,  Holland )  formed  from 
Watervliet,  Feb.  26. 

Legislative  committee  reports  in  f^vor  of  erecting  a  capitol  of  some 
pretensions  adequate  to  the  importance  of  the  state.      March  7. 

New  York  State  Bank  chartered,  capital  $500,000.  and  John  Tayler 
elected  president  on  organization  of  board,  John  W.  Yates, 
cashier,  March  25. 

Customs-house  established  here,  William  Sevmour  deiuity. 

Vessels  quarantined  south  of  city  because  of  yellow  fever.      May  19. 

St.  Peter's  church,  while  building  (its  2nd  edifice)  being  pressed  for 
funds,  sells  three  lots  between  the  church  and  the  jail  fence 
to  the  west,  on   State  street,  June. 

Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  makes  his  will  (  he  dies  at  Albany  Nov.  18, 
1804)  leaving  6,697  acres  of  land  in  seven  different  land  com- 
panies, appraised  at  $52,445;  executors  are  his  two  sons.  Philip 
Jeremiah  and  Rensselaer,  sons-in-law  John  Barker  Church, 
Alexander  Hamilton  and  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,       June  20. 

Water  street  changed  from  River  street. 


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No.    32.  PHILIP   SCHUVLKR   VAN    RENSSELAER.  397 

1803. 

Resolved  at  General  Assembly  of  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  United 
States  that  the  Presbyteries  of  Albany,  Oneida  and  Columbia 
be  constituted  to  form  a  synod  to  be  known  as  Synod  of  Albany, 
to  hold  first  meeting"  at  this  city,  August. 

Rev.  John  15.  Johnson,  foniier  pastor  of  the  North  Dutch  Reformed 
Church,  dies  of  consumption  at  Newtown,  L.  I.,  aged  33, 

Aug.  7. 

Rev.  Frederick  Beasley  assumes  duties  as  rector  of  wSt.  Peter's, 
though  not  installed,  holding  services  in  the  Dutch  churches, 

August. 

New  York  State  Bank  (the  2nd  bank  chartered  in  Albany)  com- 
mences business  (not  yet  in  its  own  building)  with  a  capital  of 
$460,000 ;  John  W.  Yates,  cashier ;  hours  9  to  12  and  2  to  4  p.  m. 

Sept.  7. 

Consecration  of  the  second  edifice  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  erected  at 
the  northwest  corner  of  State  and  Lodge  streets  (its  first  edifice 
having  been  built  in  171 5  in  centre  of  State  street  opposite 
Barrack  or  Chapel  street)  this  one  being  of  stone  with  a  tall 
tower  terminating"  in  a  spire  over  the  entrance,  Philip  Hooker 
the  architect,  and  costing  $26,767,131,  by  Bishop  Benjamin 
'Moore,  followed  by  an  appropriate  discourse  by  Rev.  J.  H. 
Hobart  of  New  York  city,  the  Prot.  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
State  of  New  York  opening  its  convention  there  the  same  day, 

Oct.  4. 

Rev.  Frederick  Beasley,  from  Elizabeth  Town,  N.  J.,  instituted 
rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Oct.  5. 

St.  Andrew's  Society  holds  its  first  meeting  and  adopts  a  constitu- 
tion, resolving"  to  celebrate  on  (Nov.  30th)  the  nativity  of  its 
patron  saint,  Oct.  10. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  George  Merchant,  Sebastian 
Visscher,  I.  Sybrant  Bleecker,  Peter  E.  Elmendorf,  II.  Rich- 
ard S.  Treat,  Harmanus  P.  Schuyler,  III.  Gerrit  Bogart, 
Abraham  TenEyck,  IV.     Election,  Sept.  27;  sworn  in,    Oct.  11. 

The  Gazette  prints :  "  Those  who  wish  to  buy  one  of  the  most 
valuable  negro  wenches,  one  free  from  ever  having  had  a  hus- 
band or  child,  and  one  not  in  the  least  used  to  '  black  '  com- 
pany, and  free  from  every  vice  of  any  moment ;  will  please  to 
inquire  of  the  editors  of  this  paper,  from  whom  they  may  know 
the  price,  and  the  present  owner."  Oct.  20. 

Daniel  Steele  advertises  a  circulating  library  of  400  books,    Oct.  25. 

Burns  Society  holds  its  first  election,  choosing  John  Stephenson  its 
president,  George  Ramsey,  vice-president,  Nov.  10. 

River  closes  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.   13. 


398  PHILIP  SCHUYLER  VAN   RENSSELAER.  No.    32. 


1804. 


1804. 

The  Capitol,  City  Hall  and  Court  House,  as  well  as  the  County 
Building,  at  this  time  being  all  in  the  one  old  building,  three 
stories  high,  five  windows  wide,  of  brick,  surmounted  by  a 
cupola  containing  an  alarm-bell,  at  the  noi^theast  corner  of  So. 
Market  street  (Broadway)  and  Hudson  street  (avenue),  a 
movement  is  inaugurated  to  erect  a  suitable  building  at  the 
head  of  State  street,  and  abandon  this  ancient  edifice,  for 
although  hallowed  by  the  most  stirring  events  of  the  Nation 
it  was  also  the  scene  of  trials  and  executions,  while  before  it 
had  been  the  whipping-post,  Jan.   i. 

Erie  canal  proposed  by  Elkanah  Watson  in  letter  to  Gen.  Peleg 
Wads  worth. 

Society  for  Promotion   of  Christian  Arts   incorporated. 

John  Woodworth  of  Albany  appointed   State  attorney-general, 

Feb.  3. 

David  Banks  establishes  Banks  &  Co.,  law  books. 

New  York  State  Bank  begins  business  in  its  own  building  on  the 
north  side  of  State  street,  next  door  west  of  the  corner  of  Middle 
Lane,  (James  street)  Philip  Hooker,  architect;  John  Tayler, 
president,  March  lo. 

Dr.  Nott  preaches  sermon  in  Presbyterian  Church  and  nets  $327 
for  the  Humane  Society,  March  18. 

Legislature  charters  Albany  &  Bethlehem  Turnpike  Co. 

Construction  of  a  Capitol  building  at  the  head  of  State  street  author- 
ized, creating  as  commissioners  to  execute  the  same,  Philip  S. 
Van  Rensselaer,  the  Mayor ;  John  Tayler,  president  of  the 
N.  Y.  State  Bank ;  Simeon  DeWitt,  surveyor-general,  Nicholas 
N.  Quackenbush  and  Daniel  Hale,  by  Act  passed  April  6. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  April  6. 

Colonic  incorporated  as  a  village  in  Watervliet,  April  9. 

State  St.,  So.  Pearl  st.  and  Washington  ave.  ordered  paved. 

Morgan  Lewis,  elected  in  April,  becomes  Governor,  July  i. 

Alexander  Hamilton,  who  as  an  attorney  had  cases  frequently  in 
Albany,  and  who  married  Elizabeth,  second  daughter  of  Gen. 
Philip  Schuyler  at  the  Schuyler  Mansion  at  the  head  of  the 
street  of  that  name,  in  1780  (b.  on  the  island  of  Nevis,  West 
Indies;  Jan.  11,  1757;  entered  the  Continental  service  as  captain 
of  artillery  in  1776;  on  Washington's  stafif  1777-81;  member 
of  Continental  Congress   1782-83;  of  the  Constitutional  Con- 


SOLDIERS    MONUMENT. 


MAJOR-CaCNEKAL    I'llll.ll'    SCllUVl.EK. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER'S  GRAVE. 
Maj.-Gen.    Philip    Schuyler   died   at  Albany   on   Nov.    i8,    1804,    and   this 
granite  shaft,  36  ft.  high,  was  erected  over  his  grave  in  the  Rural  Cemetery  m 
1871 .    i  he  '  •  Soldiers'  Monument' '  erected  in  a  plat  devoted  to  Civil  War  soldiers. 


No.    ^2.  PHILIP    SCIIUVLKK    \"AX    REXSSliLAKK.  399 

1804. 

vention  1787;  New  York  ratifying  Convention,  1788;  first  sec- 
retary of  U.  S.  Treasury  1789-95;  commander-in-chief  of  the 
U.  S.  Army  1799)  engages  in  duel  with  Aaron  Burr,  who  had 
a  law  office  at  one  time  on  Norton  street,  Albany,  and  is  shot 
on  the  first  fire,  at  Weehawken,  N,  J.,  July  11. 

Alexander  Hamilton  dies  at  New  York  city  as  result  of  wound 
received  the  previous  day  at  Weehawken,  J^^ly  12. 

Tennis  Van  Vechten  presides  at  a  meeting  of  law  students,  which 
resolves  that  the  members  wear  crape  upon  left  arm  for  six 
weeks  in  respect  of  the  memory  of  late  Alexander  Hamilton, 

July   13- 

Stage  line  to  New  York  inaugurated  that  makes  journey  in  three 
days,  stopping  at  night  at  Rhinebeck  and  Peekskill,   fare  $8, 

July  15- 

Rev.  Eliphalet  Nott  delivers  discourse  on  life  of  Alexander  Hamilton 
at  the  No.  Dutch  Church,  which  was  later  printed,  July  29. 

Rev.  Eliphalet  Nott,  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  elected 
president  of  Union  College,  to  succeed  Dr.  Marcy,  Aug.  21. 

Albany  Bethlehem  Turnpike  Co.  directors  meet  for  organization 
at  City  Tavern  and  elect  F.  Nicoll  president,  Oct.  2. 

Cost  of  lighting  the  city  for  year  ending  this  day,  1,652  gallons  of 
oil,  $1,739.21;  night-watch,  $1,008.44;  wood  and  candles,  $50; 
lighting  lamps,  $390.68;  8  lbs.  of  wick.  $4.98;  total,  $3,193.32, 

Oct.  8. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Charles  R.  Webster,  William 
Fryer,  L  Sybrant  Bleecker,  John  Cuyler,  H.  Harmanus  P. 
Schuyler,  Richard  S.  Treat,  HI.  Abraham  Ten  Eyck,  Gerrit 
Bogart,  IV.     Election,  Sept.  26;  sworn  in,  Oct.  9. 

Legislature  convenes,  electing  Solomon  Southwick,  Albany,  clerk, 

Nov.  6. 

Death  of  IMaj.-Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  who  was  born  in  this  city  at 
the  southeast  corner  of  State  and  Pearl  streets,  on  Nov.  11, 
1733,  the  5th  son  of  Johannes  Schuyler,  Jr.,  and  Cornelia  Van 
Cortlandt;  captain  in  the  Colonial  wars,  1755;  member  of  Pro- 
vincial Assembly,  1768-74;  delegate  to  Continental  Congress, 
1775;  maj. -general,  commanding  the  Army  of  Northern  De- 
partment, 1775;  member  of  the  State  Senate,  1780-90;  Com- 
missioner of  Indian  Affairs.  1775-97;  surveyor-general.  1782- 
88;  president  of  Northern  Inland  Lock  Navigation  Co.  and  of 
Western  Inland  Lock  Navigation  Co.,  1792;  first  U.  S.  Senator 
from  New  York,  1790-92,  re-elected,  1792-97,  greatly  mourned 
by  city,  Nov.  18. 


400  PHILIP   SCHUYLER  VAN   RENSSELAER.  No.    32. 

1804-1805. 

Military  funeral  of  Ma j. -Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  with  burial  in  family 
vault  of  Hon.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck  (many  years  later  body 
removed  to  Rural  cemetery),  Nov.  21. 

City  officials  and  a  multitude  of  citizens  attend  the  opening  of  the 
Union  Bridge  across  the  Hudson  at  Waterford,  800  feet  long 
and  33  feet  above  the  water,  cannon  firing,  parade  and  banquet, 

December. 


1805. 


River  first  closed  to  navigation  since  spring  of  1894^  Jan.  9. 

Albany  &  Delaware  Turnpike  Co.  chartered,  January. 

Name  of  Bone  lane  changed  to  Division  street. 

South  ferry  conducted  this  year  for  city's  profit. 

Cow  lane  changed  to  Liberty  street. 

Rev.  John  Melancthon  Bradford  installed  at  Middle  or  2nd  Dutch 
Church,  Aug.  11. 

Nail  street  changed  to  Lutheran,  being  near  the  church  of  that 
denomination,  (later  to  be  known  as  Howard  street). 

Samuel  Hill,  of  St.  Peter's  Church  vestry,  reports  as  treasurer  of 
the  building  fund  for  the  second  edifice  that  had  been  conse- 
crated on  Oct.  4,  1803,  that  the  total  receipts  had  been  $26,816 
and  expended  for  construction  in  all  its  parts,  $25,767.31, 

Aug.  22. 

Barrack  street,  formerly  Berg,  or  Hill  street,  changed  to  Chapel. 

Common  Council  prohibits  vessels  sailing  further  north  than  Van 
Rensselaer  island  because  of  yellow  fever  in  New  York  city, 

Sept.  14. 

Collection  for  Humane  Society  at  Middle  Dutch  Church  nets  $114, 

September. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  William  Fryer,  George  Mer- 
chant, L  Derick  Van  Schelluyne,  Douw  Fonda,  II.  Stewart 
Dean,  Theodorus  V.  W.  Graham,  III.  Gerrit  Bogart,  Abra- 
ham Ten  Eyck,  IV.     Election,  Sept.  24 ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  8. 

The  name  Hamilton  street  given  to  Kilby  street. 

The  expense  for  the  year  to  light  the  city  and  provide  a  night-watch 
to  announce  the  safety  of  the  city  at  intervals  until  morning, 
amounts  to  $5,454.36,  Oct.  i. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.  11. 


SOUTH  DUTCH  CHURCH. 

This  was  its  coinmou  appellation  until  1835,  when  it  was  styled 
"  Middle."  It  stood  on  south  side  of  Beaver,  midway  Green  and 
So.  Pearl  sts.;  cornerstone  laid  Apr.  30,  1806  ;  materia!  of  the  old 
1715  church  at  foot  of  State  st.  used  ;  Philip  Hooker,  Architect  ; 
dedicated  Feb.  17,  181 1  ;  abandoned  1881  for  new  edifice  n,  e.  cor. 
Swan  and  Madison  ave. 


No.    -X)--  PHILIP   SCHUYLER   VAN    RENSSELAER.  4OI 

1806 


1806. 


Cemetery  established  at  State  and  Knox  streets  (later  the  site  of 
Washing-ton  Park),  January. 

Albany  County  Medical  Society,  (oldest  in  New  York  state  in  1905"), 
established   by   leading  medical   men,  January. 

Schuyler  Mansion,  at  head  of  street  of  that  name,  owned  by  Gen. 
Philip  Schuyler  who  died  Nov.  18,  1804,  offered  for  sale,  with 
the  four  acres  environing,  Jan.  30. 

Troy  &  Schenectady  Turnpike  Co.  incorporated. 

Common  Council  passes  law  to  prevent  forestalling,  fixing  a  penalty 
of  $5  to  purchase  any  kind  of  poultry  to  sell  again,       Feb.  3. 

Albany  Mechanics'  Society  elects  Chas.  R.  Webster  president, 

Feb.  4. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  Feb.  20. 

Archibald  Mclntyre  appointed  state  comptroller,  March  26. 

Capitol  corner  stone  laid  s.  e.  corner  of  State  and  Park  Place,  by 
Mayor  Philip  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  acting  as  a  Masonic  master 
of  ceremonies,  in  the  presence  of  state  and  city  officials,  April  23. 

Second,  or  Middle  Dutch  Church  corner-stone,  south  side  of  Beaver 
between  So.  Pearl  and  Green  streets,  extending  through  to 
Hudson  ave.,  laid  by  Rev.  John  Melancthon  Bradford,  bearing  a 
resemblance  to  St.  Paul's  in  New  York  city,  April  30. 

Bank  of  Albany  elects  Philip  S.  \"an  Rensselaer  its  (3rd)  president, 
.    '  May  14. 

Elisha  W.  Skinner  admitted  into  partnership  by  Charles  R.  and 
George  Webster  as  publishers  of  the  Gazette,  and  booksellers. 

May  19. 

Goldsborough  Banyar,  Jr.,  dies  in  New  York,  June  6. 

Albany  and  Montreal  turnpike  along  west  side  of  Lake  George  laid 
out  by  surveyors  as  far  as  the  112-mile  mark,  Plattsburg,  with 
22  miles  more  of  their  road  to  complete,  Aug.  i, 

Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  standing  in  the  middle  of  State 
street  a  little  west  of  the  Broadway  crossing,  removed. 

Grounds  embraced  by  Madison  avenue,  Knox,  State  and  Willett 
streets,  set  apart  and  dedicated  as  Middle  Public  Square. 

Oct.  6. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council:  George  Merchant,  Sebastian 
Visscher,  I.  Douw  Fonda,  Derick  Van  Schelluyne,  II.  Har- 
manus  P.  Schuyler,  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  III.  Matthew  Trottei, 
John  Bogart,  IV.     Election,  Sept.  30 ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


402  PHILIP   SCHUYLER  VAN   RENSSELAER.  No.    32. 

1807. 


1807. 

Thermometer  20  degrees  below  zero,  unofificial,  Feb.  9. 

St.  Patrick's   Society  of  Albany  incorporated. 

River  open  to  navigation,  April  8. 

Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  elected  in  April,  becomes  Governor,       July  i. 

New  York  state  called  upon  by  the  president  to  furnish  12,000  to 
prevent  iiritish  aggression,  and  John  \'an  Xess  Yates  tenders 
immediate  service  of  his  company  of  Light  Infantry,       July. 

The  Albany  volunteers  of  Capt.  Gerrit  Bogart  also  tender  their 
services  to  the  president.  July. 

South  ferry  scow  capsizes  and  33  drown. 

First  navigation  by  a  steamboat,  Robert  Fulton  making  a  successful 
trip  aboard  the  Clermont  from  New  York  to  Albany.  He  and 
Chancellor  Robert  R.  Livingston  of  Clermont,  on  the  east  bank 
of  the  Hudson,  had  met  in  Paris  in  1806,  where  Fulton  was 
experimenting,  and  as  he  had  also  been  working  on  a  similar 
project,  they  became  interested  in  perfecting  the  one  invention, 
and  the  outcome  was  this  vessel  made  on  their  return  at  the 
shipyard  of  Charles  Brown  on  the  East  river,  where  it  was 
launched  in  the  spring  and  moved  to  the  Jersey  shore  for  com- 
pletion. Her  hull,  100  feet  long,  12  feet  wide,  and  7  feet  deep 
had  been  made  by  David  Brome  of  New  York,  the  engine  by 
Watt  &  Bolton  of  England.  Upon  fitting  her  engine  the  people 
began  to  ridicule  his  hopes,  and  curiosity  was  raised  to  a  high 
pitch  when  the  day  for  its  trial  arrived,,  as  advertised.  The 
wharves  and  house-tops  swarmed  with  people,  many  warning 
friends  not  to  dare  go  aboard.  At  6 130  a.  m.  she  was  ready 
to  start.  There  were  24  passengers  and  the  12  berths  were 
taken.  The  fare  was  $7.  Thick  clouds  of  black  smoke  issued 
from  the  tall  chimney.  There  was  a  little  delay  due  to  machin- 
ery requiring  adjustment,  and  on  a  passenger  expressing  doubt 
of  a  successful  result,  Fulton  replied :  "  Gentlemen,  you  need 
not  be  uneasy;  you  shall  be  in  Albany  before  12  o'clock  to-mor- 
row." When  everything  was  ready  she  made  a  circle  three 
times,  then  steadily  headed  up  the  river,  while  tens  of  thousands 
cheered  vociferously,  Fulton  all  this  time  standing  erect  upon 
the  deck,  his  eyes  flashing  as  though  the  magic  wand  had  been 
waved  over  his  creation.  Gerrit  H.  Van  Wagenen  agreed  to 
keep  account  of  the  time  and  John  O.  Wilson,  (afterwards  an 
Albany  banker)  wrote  it  in  the  log.  This  paper  was  drawn 
up  from  that  and  given  to  The  Albany  Register  for  publication : 


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No.    S^.  PHILIP   SCHUYLER   VAN    RENSSELAER.  403 

1807. 

"  On  Friday  morning  at  18  minutes  before  7  o'clock,  the  North 
River  steam  boat  left  New  York;  landed  one  passenger  at 
Tarrytown  (25  miles),  and  arrived  at  Newburgh,  (63  miles)  at 
4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon ;  landed  one  passenger  there,  and 
arrived  at  Clermont  (100  miles),  where  two  passengers,  one 
of  whom  was  Mr.  Fulton^  were  landed  at  15  minutes  before 
2  o'clock  in  the  morning;  and  arrived  at  Albany  at  2y  minutes 
past  II  o'clock,  making  the  whole  time  twenty-eight  hours  and 
forty-five  minutes;  distance  150  miles.  ^-  *  *  Selah  Strong, 
G.  H.  Van  Wagenen,  Thomas  Wallace,  John  O.  Wilson,  John 
P.  Anthony,  Dennis  H.  Doyle,  George  Wetmore,  William  S. 
Hicks,  J.  Bowman,  J.  Crane,  James  Braiden,  Stephen  N.  Rowan, 

Sept.  4. 

At  11:27  a.  m.  the  Clermont,  the  first  steamboat  ever  to  land 
at  Albany,  ties  up  at  the  wharf  at  the  foot  of  Lydius  street 
(Madison  ave.)  much  to  the  excitement  of  the  inhabitants  who 
had  been  on  the  lookout.  On  the  way  a  farmer  had  hastened 
out  to  the  steamboat  in  his  skiff  and  having  tied  to  her,  wanted 
to  know  from  Fulton  how  a  mill  could  grind  itself  upstream 
as  this  was  doing  and  insisted  on  being  shown  the  millstones. 
It  was  also  told  that  at  West  Point  as  the  vessel  steamed  past 
the  whole  garrison  came  out  and  cheered,  and  the  crowds  at 
Newburgh,  enthusiastically  waving  hats  and  cloths,  seemed  as 
though  all  Orange  county  had  flocked  thither  to  see  the  wonder- 
ful craft,  Sept.  5. 

Townsend  Furnace  &  Machine  shop  established  on  the  west  side  of 
Eagle  near  Jay  street,  by  Isaiah  and  John  Townsend. 

The  Clermont  leaves  for  New  York  with  60  passengers,  fast  becom- 

'  ing  popular  as  a  mode  of  rapid  travel  (28  hours  to  New  York) 

and  people  losing  their  fear  of  trusting  themselves  on  a  craft 

of    unheard    of   principle,    considered    foolhardy    by   so    many 

scoffers,  Sept.  30. 

The  Clermont  runs  afoul  of  a  small  sloop  and  loses  one  paddle- 
wheel,  following  which  accident  18  miles  above  New  York,  she 
proceeds  with  only  one  wheel  and  against  a  wind  so  strong  as 
to  cause  the  small  boat  to  plunge  considerably,  Oct.  3. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council:  George  Merchant,  Sebastian 
Visscher,  I.  Derick  Van  Schelluyne,  John  Cuyler,  II.  Har- 
manus  P.  Schuyler,  John  Brinckerhoff,  III.  John  Bogart, 
Matthew  Trotter,  IV.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in,      Oct.  13. 

The  steamboat  advertised  to  afford  dressing-rooms  for  women,  there 
being  no  other  steamboat  in  existence  it  was  not  thought  neces- 
sary to  mention  the  name  when  speaking  or  writing  of  the 
Clermont,  October. 


404 


PHILIP  SCHUYLER  VAN  RENSSELAER.  No.   32. 


1807-1808. 


The  Clermont  drawing  crowds  on  each  trip,  this  day  starting  from 

Albany  with  100  passengers,  Nov.  6. 

Bridge  over  Mohawk  river  below  the  falls  completed,  Nov.  25. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec,  9. 


1808. 


Rev.  Dr.  William  Linn,  pastor  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  aged 
56,  dies,  Jan.  8. 

Obadiah  Van  Benthuysen  establishes  a  large  printing  house  on  lower 
Broadway  (known  in  1906  as  Charles  Van  Benthuysen's  Sons), 
Joint  resolution  to  make  an  accurate  survey  of  a  canal  route  between 
tide  waters  of  the  Hudson  and  Lake  Erie  passes,  February. 

Common  Council  elects  John  Cuyler  City  Comptroller,  Feb.  9. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  March  10. 

Commissioners  to  erect  a  new  Capitol  and  City  hall  combined,  at 
head  of  State  street  in  the  western  end  of  the  park,  report 
receipts:  Tax  levied  on  Albany,  $3,000;  tax  on  both  city  and 
county,  $3,000;  from  the  corporation  of  Albany,  $10,000;  from 
sale  of  former  Capitol  and  City  Hall  on  Broadway  and  Hudson 
avenue,  $17,000;  proceeds  of  lottery,  $12,000;  state  to  be  reim- 
bursed by  a  lottery,  $20,000 ;  donation  this  winter  from  Corpora- 
tion of  Albany,  $4,000;  total,  $69,000,  and  requesting  $25,000 
additional,  to  complete,  which  sum  the  state  appropriates, 

March  11. 
Humane  Society  receives  $371.32  as  proceeds  of  Rev.  Dr.  Nott's 
sermon,  March  13. 

Gerardus  Lansing,  a  highly  respected  citizen,  aged  84,  dies, 

March  24. 
Simeon  DeWitt's  wife,  Jane,  aged  47,  dies,  April  10. 

Ground  opposite  the  city,  divided  into  lots  and  offered  for  sale, 

April  15. 

The  Clermont  arrives  for  her  second  season  of  river  navigation, 

having  been  lengthened  from  100  to  150  feet,  and  her  breadth 

extended  from  12  to  18  feet,  with  her  name  changed  to  North 

River,  tonnage  165  tons,  April  27. 

Col.  Philip  P.  Schuyler,  an  efficacious  officer  of  the  Revolution,  aged 

73,  dies,  June  3. 

The   late   Gen.    Philip   Schuyler's   daughter,    Mrs.    Cornelia   Lynch 

Morton,  aged  32,  an  estimable  lady,  dies  at  Philadelphia,  July  5. 


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No.    32.  PHILIP    SCHUYLER   VAN    RENSSELAER.  4O5 

1808-1809. 

John  Barber,  state  printer  and  publisher  of  the  Albany  Register, 
aged  50,  dies  of  consumption,  J'-i^y  lO- 

Mayor  receives  $400  for  the  city  poor  from  Pepin  &  Breschard, 
circus  performers,  Jwly  n. 

Common  Council  orders  old  hospital   sold  at  auction,  Sept.    i. 

Death  of  Judge  Ambrose  Spencer's  wife,  Mary  Clinton,  age  36, 

Sept.  4. 

The  North  River,  formerly  the  Clermont,  makes  her  best  record 
from  New  York,  27  hours,  Oct.  2. 

Cost  of  lighting  the  city  with  oil  for  one  year  $3,560.44,  and  for 
the  city  watchman  to  call  the  hours  and  safety,  $2,454.60, 

Oct.  10. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Charles  R.  Webster,  William 
Fryer,  I.  Derick  Van  Schelluyne,  Douw  Fonda,  II.  John 
Brinckerhoil,  Richard  S.  Treat,  III.  Matthew  Trotter,  John 
Bogart,  IV.     Election,  Sept.  2j ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  11. 

Dr.  Wilhemus  Mancius,  the  most  respected  physician  of  his  day  and 
who  had  practiced  nearly  fifty  years  here,  aged  70,  dies,  Oct.  22. 

Death  of  Susan  Robinson,  wife  of  Isaiah  Townsend,  the  prominent 
iron  manufacturer,  aged  26,  Oct.  29. 

The  new  Capitol  recently  erected  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
public  park  at  the  head  of  State  street,  completed  at  a  cost  of 
$34,200  to  the  city,  $3,000  to  Albany  county,  and  $73,485.42  to 
the  state,  a  total  of  $110,685.42,  and  used  for  first  time  at 
special  sessions,  the  Mayor  and  Albany's  Common  Council  oc- 
cupying n.  e.  corner  of  the  second  floor,  Nov.  i. 

Ralph  Letton  establishes  a  museum  of  curiosities  next  door  to 
corner  of  Chapel  and  State  streets,  Nov.  2. 

Rev.  James  Burke,  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  (R.  C.)  Church,  dies  of 
consumption  and  is  mourned  as  an  energetic  worker,      Nov.  11. 

The  first  tigers  ever  in  Albany,  a  male  and  female  from  Asia, 
exhibited  at  the  Thespian  Hotel  hall  on  No.  Pearl  street, 

Nov.  24. 

Philip  Wendell,  a  citizen  of  prominence,  aged  75,  dies,         Dec.  9. 


1809. 


At  the  former  City  Hall,  which  was  also  the  Capitol,  n.  e.  corner 
of  Broadway  and  Hudson  ave.,  vacated  Nov.  i,  1808.  for  the 
new  building  at  the  head  of  State  St.,  J.  Scudder  exhibits  a 
"  grand  panorama,"  Jan.  19. 


406  riilLIP  SCHUYLER  VAX   RKXSSELAER.  No.    32. 

1809. 

River  closed  to  navigation  since  spring  of  last  year,  Jan.  19. 

Legislature  grants  permission  to  reporters  to  attend  sessions  and  The 
Gazette  first  publishes  proceedings,  Jan.   21. 

Corporation  of  Schenectady  enters  a  ])etition  for  division  from 
Albany  as  a  separate  county,  Jan.  25. 

Thermometer  12  below  zero  on  west  side  of  Pearl  street,       Feb.  12. 

Assembly  votes  with  a  majority  of  8  in  favor  of  partitioning  off 
Schenectady  county  from  Albany,  Feb.   12. 

Dr.  Peter  Gansevoort,  a  prominent  physician,  aged  83,  dies. 

March  14. 

Schenectady  county  created  by  Act  of  Legislature,  March  7. 

Abraham  Weaver,  aged  100  years,  dies,  March  23, 

Bastejan  T.  \^isscher,  who  had  performed  useful  services  during  the 
Revolution,  aged  82,  dies,  May  9. 

News  that  the  embargo  against  Great  Britain  had  been  raised  creates 
so  much  enthusiasm  that  the  bells  are  rung  nearly  all  day, 
addresses  are  delivered  by  Philip  Van  \'echten  and  John  Lovett, 
the  attorney,  and  a  wonderful  procession  is  quickly  improvised, 

June  10. 

Name  of  Swallow  changed  to  Knox  street,  July  17. 

Henry  Trowbridge  first  advertised  a  museum,  which  is  believed  the 
starting  of  the  great  Albany  Museum,  so  prominently  knov/n 
all  over  the  country  for  years,  Sept.   18. 

Steamboat  Car  of  Neptune,  the  second  in  America,  put  on ;  295 
tons,  175  feet  long  (25  ft.  longer  than  the  Clermont  of  1807 
after  she  had  been  lengthened  in  1808  from  100  to  150  feet 
and  then  known  as  the  North  River)  24  feet  broad,  or  6  feet 
broader  than  the  North  River ;  8  feet  deep,  33  x  52  in.  engine ; 
built  by  Charles  Brown  of  New  York,  Sept.  28. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Charles  R.  Webster,  William 
Fryer,  L  Douw  Fonda,  Derick  \'an  Schelluyne,  IL  John 
Brickerhoff,  Flarmanus  P.  Schuyler,  IIL  Matthew  Trotter, 
Thomas  Gould,  IV.     Election,  Sept.  26;  sworn  in,  Oct.  10. 

Christopher  A.  Yates,  prominent  citizen,  aged  71,  dies,  Nov.  28. 

Common  Council  ordains  that  as  the  bell  had  been  removed  from 
the  discarded  City  Hall  and  Capitol  on  lower  Broadway,  which 
rang  at  noon  and  at  8  o'clock  by  ancient  custom,  the  bell  of  the 
North  Dutch  Reformed  Church  be  struck  at  those  hours  and 
that  Barent  Bogart  be  the  ringer  with  salary  of  $40  yearly, 

Nov.    2/. 

River  closed,  official  record  Dec.  10. 

Hon.  William  Cooper,  aged  55,  of  Cooperstown  dies,  and  remains 

taken  there  for  burial.  Dec.  22. 


MRS.  GRANT  OF  LAGGAN. 

Mrs.  Anne  Grant  of  Laggan,  Scot.,  (b.  Glasgow,  Feb.  21, 
1755)  came  to  Albany  in  1758  with  her  mother,  Mrs.  Duncan 
Mac  Vicar,  and  was  a  visitor  of  Margarita,  wife  of  Col.  Philip 
Schuyler  (uncle  of  the  General)  at  The  Flatts,  Watervliet,  of 
whom  she  wrote  in  1807  in  "  Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 
pub'd  London,  1808.  She  returned  to  England  in  1768,  and 
died  at  Edinburgh,  Nov.  7,  1838. 


No.    32.  PHILIP   SCHUYLER   VAN    RENSSELAER.  4O/ 

1810. 


1810. 

Middle  Public  Square,  bounded  by  Madison  avenue,  Knox,  State  and 
Willett  streets,  changed  in  name  to  Washington  Square, 

January. 

Death  of  Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  who  had  been  the  28th  Mayor 
of  Albany,  born  here  on  May  13,  1734,  the  son  of  Dirck  Ten 
Broeck  (the  21st  Mayor)  and  Margarita  Cuyler,  and  husband 
of  Elizabeth  Van  Rensselaer,  only  sister  of  the  Patroon,  whom 
he  married  on  Nov.  i,  1763,  while  he  was  acting  as  guard- 
ian of  the  Patroon  who  had  not  reached  his  majority  and 
for  whom  the  last  Manor  House  was  built ;  colonel  of  militia, 
Oct.  20,  1775;  general,  January,  1776;  brigadier-general,  1776 
to  March  26,  1781  ;  member  of  Colonial  Assembly,  1760-65; 
Member  of  Provincial  Congress,  April  20,  1775  ;  president  of 
state  convention,  1776;  state  senator,  1780-83;  justice  of  court 
of  common  pleas,  1781-1794;  president  of  Bank  of  Albany, 
1792-98;  delegate  to  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  May, 
1775,  patriotic  in  war,  energetic  in  city  affairs,  honest  in  his 
dealings,  benevolent  and  advocate  of  his  church's  welfare, 

Jan.  19. 

Daniel  Hale  of  Albany  appointed  state  secretary  2nd  time,       Feb.  2. 

Abraham  Van  Vechten  of  Albany  appointed  state  attorney-general, 

Feb.  2. 

Bank  of  Albany  removes  to  n.  e.  corner  State  and  Broadway, 

Feb.  3. 

Death  of  Hon.  Abraham  Cornells  Cuyler,  who  had  been  the  26th 
Mayor  of  Albany,  at  Yorkfield,  Canada  ;  born  on  April  11.  1742, 
the  son  of  Hon.  Cornells  Cuyler,  the  20th  Mayor  of  Albany, 
and  Catharina  Schuyler,  the  daughter  of  Johannes  Schuyler,  the 
loth  Mayor  of  Albany;  had  been  a  colonel  of  militia,  but  desired 
the  continuance  of  the  British  rule  as  for  the  century  previous 
and  by  whom  he  had  been  appointed  the  Mayor,  and  he  was  the 
last  to  be  the  city's  executive  by  Royal  commission ;  had  resided 
after  the  Revolution  on  the  site  of  the  North  Dutch  Church 
on  west  side  of  No.  Pearl  street,  Feb.  5. 

Abraham  G.  Lansing,  of  Albany,  2nd  time  appointed  state-treasurer, 

Feb.  8. 

Jeremiah  A^an  Rensselaer,  late  lieutenant-governor  and  a  Revolu- 
tionary patriot,  aged  69,  dies,  Feb.   19. 

Baptists  of  the  city  organize,  Feb.  20. 


408  PHILIP   SCHUVLER  VAN   RENSSELAER.  No.    32. 

18  10. 

Albany  County  Bible  Society  organizes. 

Edniond  C.  Genet's  wife,  Cornelia  Tappan,  the  daughter  of 
former  Vice-President  George  Clinton,  aged  35,  dies  at  Green- 
bush,  March  23. 

Legislature  sanctions  a  lottery  to  raise  $30,000  for  deepening  the 
river  between  Troy  and  Waterford,  March. 

Hon.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer's  mother,  Catherine,  widow  of  Rev. 
Eilardus  Westerlo,  aged  65,  dies,  April  17. 

Steamboat  North  River,  formerly  the  Clermont,  makes  record  trip 
from  New  York  in  19  hours,  ]May  13. 

City  police  office  located  at  corner  of  Montgomery  and  Steuben 
streets,  holding  sessions  Tuesdays  and  Fridays,  with  Richard 
S.  Treat  as  the  judge.  May. 

James  Caldwell,  wealthy  merchant  of  this  city  lays  corner-stone  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  meeting-house  that  he  has  given  to 
Caldwell,  Lake  George,  May  26. 

Pierre  Briare,  "  late  Pastry  Cook  to  one  of  the  Princes  of  the  Royal 
Family  of  Bourbons  and  to  the  Viceroy  of  ^Mexico  "  opens  a 
place  at  No.  12  Green  street,  June. 

Mayor  Van  Rensselaer  lays  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  jail  at  the 
s.  e.  corner  of  Eagle  and  Howard  streets  (later  the  Albany  Hos- 
pital and  after  that  the  Flumane  Society's  Building),  the  Com- 
mon Council  also  present,  July  30. 

Leonard  Gansevoort  dies  at  his  country-seat,  Whitehall,  west  of 
Delaware  avenue,  Aug.  26. 

Keeper  of  the  jail  discloses  on  visitation  of  the  county  sheriff  that 
there  are  none  imprisoned  for  debt,  which  is  remarked  as  most 
unusual  for  a  city  the  size  of  Albany,  Aug.  25. 

City  Clerk  William  P.  Beers  dies,  Sept.   13. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Charles  R.  Webster,  George 
Pearson,  L  Derick  Van  Schelluyne.  James  Gourlay,  H.  Rich- 
ard S.  Treat,  John  Brickerhoff,  HL  Charles  D.  Locker,  Eb- 
enezer  Loote,  IV.    Election,  Sept.  25  ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  9. 

Bank  of  Albany  elects  Dudley  Walsh  its  (4th)  president,  to  suc- 
ceed Philip  S.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Sum  of  $242  netted  for  the  Humane  Society  by  sermon  preached  at 
St.  Peter's  Church  by  Rev.  Mv.  Clowes,  Dec.  15. 

River  closes  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.  20. 

Census  of  the  year  shows  population  of  the  city  to  be  10,762 ;  of  the 
state,  959,049;  slaves  15,017;  population  of  the  county,  34,661. 

Dec.  31. 


ALBANY  JAIL. 

The  jail  was  first  located  in  original  City  Hall  on  Broadway. 
Cornerstone  of  this  building  (s.  o.  cor.  Eagle  and  Howard  sts.) 
laid  July  30,  1810,  by  Mayor  P.  S.  Van  Rensselaer;  a  bell  ordered 
placed  in  cupola  June  10,  1839;  sold  to  City  Hospital  for  $9,000, 
Mch.  19,  1852;  prisoners  retnoved  to  Maiden  Lane  jail  June  2,  1853, 
and  to  the  Penitentiary  Sept.  i,  1904. 


No.   2)--  PHILIP   SCHUYLER   VAX    RENSSELAER.  4O9 

1811. 


1811. 

Baptists  in  Albany  having  come  together  as  a  body  last  year,  23  of 
them  now  seek  a  meeting-house,  Jan.  23. 

At  this  time  no  house  standing  at  site  of  Cohoes,  January. 

John  Tayler  of  this  city  becomes  president  of  the  state  senate,  on  the 
•  death  of  Lieut. -Gov.  John  Broome,  by  election,  Jan.  29. 

Col.  Elisha  Jenkins,  of  Hudson,  N.  Y.,  (the  succeeding,  33rd,  Mayor 
of  Albany)  appointed  secretary  of  state,  Feb.  i. 

Albany  Bible  Society  forming  (the  first  in  the  United  States  estab- 
lished at  Philadelphia  about  1809)  Rev.  Samuel  Blatchford 
addressing  it  at  the  North  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  Feb.  12. 

Middle  or  Second  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  on  south  side  of  Beaver 
street,  being  a  direct  continuation  of  the  congregation  of  the 
first  church  in  Albany,  its  fifth  edifice,  dedicated,  Feb.  17. 

Mechanics  &  Farmers'  Bank   (3rd  bank  in  city)    incorporated, 

March  4. 

Albany  Insurance  Company  organized,  March  8. 

The  third  steamboat  to  ply  the  Hudson  river,  the  Hope,  280  tons, 
launched,  March  19. 

Albany  Bible  Society  incorporated,  April  8. 

Common  Council  prohibits  Pinxter  Day  celebration  because  of  too 
much  boisterous  rioting  and  drunkenness,  reading :  "  No  per- 
son shall  erect  any  tent,  booth  or  stall  within  the  limits  of  this 
city,  for  the  purpose  of  vending  any  spirituous  liquors,  beer, 
mead  or  cider,  or  any  kind  of  meat,  fish,  cakes  or  fruit,  on  the 
days  commonly  called  Pinxter;  nor  to  collect  in  numbers  for 
the  purpose  of  gambling  or  dancing,  or  any  other  amusements, 
in  any  part  of  the  city,  or  to  march  or  parade,  with  or  without 
any  kind  of  music,  under  a  penalty  of  ten  dollars  or  confinement 
in  jail."  It  had  long  been  customary  to  gather  the  quantities  of 
fragrant  pinxter  flowers  growing  on  the  hill  at  the  head  of  State 
street,  and  flourishing  southward  to  the  ravine,  and  especially 
among  the  negroes  was  it  turned  into  a  bacchanalian  revel, 
Whitsun-Monday  being  the  day,  April  28. 

Stage  line  started  running  to  Niagara  Falls  in  3  days,  charging 
$20.50  to  Canandaigua  and  from  there  to  Bufl:alo  6  cts.  a  mile, 

May. 

A  small  boat  named  Trial,  operated  by  machinery  invented  by  Abra- 
ham Randal  of  Colonic,  which  had  made  experimental  trips  the 
previous  fall,  commences  regular  trips  to  Troy,  twice  daily, 
2  sh.,         ■  May  14. 


4IO  PHILIP  SCHUYLER  VAN   RENSSELAER.  No.   32. 

1811-1812. 

John  I.  Bleecker,  many  years  Indian  interpreter,  aged  80,  dies, 

June  19. 

Steamboat  Hope  makes  experimental  trip  in  New  York  harbor,  with 
guests,  Capt.  Bunker,  June  22. 

Dr.  Hunloke  Woodruff,  prominent  physician,  aged  57,  dies,    July  4. 

Steamboat  Perseverance,  Capt.  Sherman,  280  tons,  the  fourth  Hud- 
son river  steamboat,  commences  running  in  conjunction  with 
Hope,  July. 

Reservoir  erected  behind  a  high  stone  wall.  Eagle,  Columbia  and 
Steuben  streets,  opening  into  iron  pipes  and  deriving  supply 
from  the  Maezlandt  kill. 

Steamboats  North  River  (the  Clermont  reconstructed)  and  the 
Hope  engage  in  a  spirited  race  from  Albany  and  when  opposite 
Hudson  the  Hope  rounding  the  marsh  land  collides  with  the 
other  and  older  boat  with  a  light  draft  that  had  proceeded 
through  a  shallow  cut,  July  2^. 

Mechanics  &  Farmers'  Bank,  Solomon  Southwick,  president,  opens 
on  Court  street  (Broadway)  on  site  of  the  future  Post-Office, 
opposite  the  foot  of  broad  State  street,  July  29. 

Steamboat  Paragon,  the  fifth  to  ply  on  the  Hudson,  331  tons,  173 
feet  long,  27  feet  broad,  9  feet  deep,  32  x  48  in.  engine,  built 
by  Chas.  Brown  of  New  York  city,  Capt.  Wiswall,  commences 
running,  July. 

Elbert  Willett,  many  years  City  Chamberlain,  aged  over  70,  retires, 

Sept.  24, 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  George  Shepherd.  Charles  R. 
Webster,  I.  Isaac  Hansen,  Elisha  Jenkins,  II.  John  Brinck- 
crhoff,  Teunis  Van  Vechten,  HI.  Matthew  Trotter,  John 
McMillan,  IV.     Election,  Sept.  24  ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  8. 

River  closes  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec,  21. 


1812. 


War  of  1812  prevents  project  of  a  canal  across  the  state,      January. 

Dr.  William  McClelland,  who  had  been  president  of  Albany  County 
and  the  State  Medical  societies,  and  of  St.  Andrew's  society, 
aged  43,  dies,  Jan.  29. 

Wheat  selling  at  $2  and  $3  per  bushel,  February. 

George  Clinton,  New  York  State's  first  Governor,  while  vice-presi- 
dent, aged  72,  dies  at  Washington,  D.  C.  (Gouverneur  Morris 
delivering  the  oration),  April  20. 

Abraham  Schuyler,  respected  citizen,  aged  76,  dies.  May  27. 


PENNY  POSTMAN  WINNE. 

Wm.  B.  Winne  was  a  familiar  figure  here  delivering  letters  half  a  century 
before  stamps  were  used,  about  1795  and  possibly  until  1832.  This  "  physiog- 
notrace  "  (silhouette)  made  by  I.  Wood,  $1,  Green  and  Beaver,  1812.  (From 
the  original  at  Albany  Post-Office  in  ico6.) 


No.    ^2.  PHILIP   SCHUYLER   VAN    RENSSELAER.  4II 


1812 


Ezra  Ames'  portrait  of  late  Vice-President  Geo.  Clinton  hung  in 
Philadelphia's  Academy  of  Fine  Arts  and  is  greatly  admired, 

Alay. 
Robert  Barber,  founder  of  the  Albany  Register,  aged  42,  dies. 

May '31. 

First  election  of  directors  of  Mechanics  &  Farmers'  Bank  held  at 

the   Columbian   hotel   on   Court   street    (Broadway)    and   very 

•    spirited  because  of  the  candidacy  of  two   federalists,   all   the 

directors  named  in  the  incorporating  law  being  democrats, 

June  I. 
There  being  neither  a  canal  nor  a  railroad  across  the  state  (or  any 
railway  in  any  country)  interest  is  taken  in  a  pamphlet  with  the 
title,  "  Documents  tending  to  prove  the  superior  advantage  of 
Rail  Ways  and  Steam  Carriages  over  Canal  Navigation,  par- 
ticularly from  Lake  Erie  to  Hudson's  River,"  June. 

Lancastarian  School,  to  be  erected  on  west  side  of  Eagle  street  be- 
tween Jay  and  Lancaster  streets,  incorporated. 

Brigadier-General  Peter  Gansevoort,  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
Revolutionary  officers,  aged  63,  dies,  July  2. 

Robert  R.  Livingston  gives  one  share  of  the  Albany  &  Troy  Steam 
Boat  of  $500  value  to  Society  for  Relief  of  Indigent  Women 
and  Children,  July  10. 

Rev.  John  Watkins,  present  at  some  of  the  most  trying  Revolution- 
ary scenes,  a  Christian  patriot,  aged  66.  dies,  Aug.  5. 

Steamboat  Fire  Fly  commences  running  between  here  and  Troy, 

Sept.  25. 

Leading  the  American  troops  to  the  attack  on  Oueenstown  Heights, 
Col.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  is  shot  four  times,  and  while  his 
forces  carried  the  assault,  a  large  portion  of  his  militia  refused 
to  cross  over  to  sustain  the  victory  against  the  British,  with  the 
result  he  is  driven  from  his  position,  Oct.  13. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council:  George  Shepherd,  George 
Pearson,  L  Isaac  Hansen,  Joseph  Russell,  Sr.,  II.  John 
Brinckerhofif.  Teunis  Van  Vechten,  III.  John  Bogart,  Thomas 
Gould,  IV.     Election,  Sept.  29;  sworn  in,  Oct.  13. 

From  Greenbush  to  Niagara  a  military  express  line  is  established, 
men  ready  to  be  dispatched  on  horse  and  guaranteeing  the  de- 
livery of  a  message  from  one  end  of  route  to  other  in  44  hours, 

Oct.  15. 

Capt.  R.  C.  Skinner,  commander  of  the  artillery  in  the  Albany  Vol- 
unteer regiment,  recruits  eight  companies  at  Ladd's  Coffee 
House,  corner  of  Green  and  Beaver  streets,  Oct.  20. 


412  PHILIP   SCHUYLER  VAN   RENSSELAER.  No.    32. 


1812-1813. 


Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  who  had  resigned  his  commission  of 
major-general  following  the  Battle  of  Qneenstown,  is  met  out- 
side the  city  by  many  citizens  and  escorted  to  his  home, 

Oct.  31. 
Green  Street  theatre  erected. 
Two  new  barracks  in  Greenbush,  each  250  ft.  long,  blown  down, 

Nov.  24. 
Companies   of  Captains   Bulkley  and   \\^alker   return    from   Staten 
Island,  where  they  had  been  on  duty  for  three  months,   Nov.  28. 
Alfred  Billings  Street,  the  Albany  poet  who  was  N.  Y.  State  Libra- 
rian for  10  years  and  died  at  his  home,  n.  e.  cor.  Washington 
ave.  and  Dove  sts.  on  June  2,  1881,  born  at  Poughkeepsie, 

Dec.  18. 
River  closed  to  navisfation,  official  record,  Dec.  22. 


1813. 


Troy  volunteer  militia  march  into  Albany  with  the  British  colors 
they  had  captured  at  St.  Regis,  passing  up  State  street  to  the 
Capitol,  where,  in  absence  of  the  Governor,  his  aide,  Colonel 
Lush,  makes  reply  to  the  address  of  Major  Young  on  delivering 
them,  and  they  are  placed  in  the  Council  Room,  Jan.  5. 

Notice  sent  out  that  citizens  interested  in  establishment  of  an  Albany 
Academy  should  assemble  at  the  Capitol  on  the  28th,  as  the 
corporation  had  offered  a  good  site  along  the  public  square, 
whatever  sum  might  be  raised  by  sale  of  the  lot  and  materials 
of  the  old  jail  (estimated  at  $12,000)  and  it  remained  necessary 
to  raise  $30,000  by  public  subscription,  Jan.  18. 

Green  Street  theatre,  John  Bernard,  manager,  opened  first,    Jan.  18. 

Albany  Argus  established  (as  semi-weekly),  Jan.  26. 

Parties  interested  in  erecting  Albany  Academy  meet  in  Capitol  and 
Archibald  Mclntyre  is  chosen  chairman  of  a  committee  of  14 
men  to  devise  plans  for  its  erection,  Jan.  28. 

Charles  Z.  Piatt,  of  this  city,  appointed  state  treasurer,         Feb.  10, 

Watervliet  Arsenal  established  on  west  side  of  Troy  Road. 

Abraham  Van  Vechten  appointed  state  attorney-general  2nd  time, 

Feb.  13. 

Chancellor  Robert  R.  Livingston  dies  at  his  country-seat,  Clermont, 
near  Hudson,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  26. 

Albany  Boys'  Academy  incorporated,  charter  signed  and  trustees  ap- 
pointed, March  4. 


I 


1^ 


GANSEVOORT  REVOLUTIONARY  FLAG. 

Gen.  Peter  Gansevoort  of  Albany  dauntlessly  sustained  the  siege  of  Fort 
Stanwix  (Rome,  N.  Y.),  in  August,  1777.  This  flag  of  his  was  carried  at 
the  head  of  the  Third  N.  Y.  Regiment  at  the  surrender  of  CornvvalHs,  York- 
town,  Va.,  Oct.  19,  1781.  Later,  it  was  used  as  the  basis  for  the  arms  of  the 
State  of  New  York.     He  died  July  2,  1812.     (Photographed  by  John  E.  Boos.) 


No.    32.  ru  ILIP    SCIlUVLiiR    \"AX    RENSSELAER.  4I3 

1813. 

Mechanics  &  Farmers'  Uank  elects  Isaac  Tlutton  its  (2nd)  pres't. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  March  12. 

Albany  Boys'  Academy  trustees  organize ;  Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rens- 
selaer, president,  March  23. 

The  Albany  Register  advocating  a  six  million  dollar  bank,  a  large 
part  of  its  constituency  urges  a  newspaper  to  advance  its  ideas, 
and  Samuel  R.  Brown  comes  from  Ballston,  where  he  pub- 
lished the  Saratoga  Republican,  and  starts  the  Albany  Republi- 
can, April  II. 

Cornelius  Van  Schelluyne,  foremost  citizen,  aged  "j^,  dies.    April  16. 

Common  Council  proposes  opening  Spring  street,  to  run  back  of  the 
Capitol  about  half  a  mile,  April. 

]\Iethodists  erect  their  second  edifice  on  Division  st. 

James  Goold  establishes  a  carriage  w^orks  at  foot  of  ^Maiden  Lane, 
(where  some  20  years  later  he  made  coaches  to  act  as  cars  on 
the  first  railroad  operated  by  steam  in  America,  the  Mohawk  & 
Hudson). 

Col.  John  ]\Iills  shot  while  leading  an  attack  on  the  British  army  at 
Sacketts  Harbor  at  the  head  of  the  Albany  Republican  Regi- 
ment (and  his  remains  were  first  interred  in  Capitol  Park,  later 
removed  to  the  Rural  cemetery),  May  29. 

Steamboat  Lady  Richmond,  commonly  called  Richmond,  the  sixth 
steamboat  to  ply  the  Hudson  between  Albany  and  New  York, 
constructed  by  Charles  Brown  of  New  York  city,  370  tons,  154 
feet  long,  28  feet  broad,  9  feet  deep,  20  x  45  in.  engine. 

Albany  Directory  issued,  first  of  its  kind  at  Albany,  compiled  by 
Joseph  Fry,  a  printer  and  at  this  time  city  ganger,  collected  and 
alphabetically  arranged  by  him  "  at  the  request  of  the  Common 
Council,"  a  work  of  60  pages,  containing  1,638  names,  the 
population  at  the  time  supposedly  about  11,000,  the  type  set  at 
three  establishments  to  issue  on  time,  but  bearing  imprint  of 
Websters  &  Skinners;  for  sale  at  50  cents,  June  10. 

Colonel  Cuttmg's  handsome  corps  of  400  men  marches  from  Green- 
bush  July  ist,  and  having  spent  the  night  encamped  west  of  the 
Capitol,  are  first  treated  by  the  citizens  and  then  depart  for  the 
western  frontier,  July  2. 

Two  hundred  British  soldiers  pass  through  to  camp  at  Greenbush, 

Aug.  15. 

Common  Council  meets  on  hearing  the  news  of  Commodore  Oliver 
Hazard  Perry's  glorious  victory  near  Put-in-Bay,  Lake  Erie, 
when  on  Sept.  loth  his  fleet  of  9  vessels,  54  guns,  490  men,  van- 
quished the  British  fleet  of  6  vessels,  63  guns,  502  men,  under 


414  PHILIP  SCHUYLER  VAN  RENSSELAER.  No.   $2. 


1813. 


Barclay,  and  resolves  that  when  he  passes  through  Albany  the 
city  shall  present  him  with  an  elegent  sword,  that  the  bells  ring 
for  one  hour  beginning  at  noon,  that  a  salute  be  fired  and  that 
the  freedom  of  the  city  be  presented  to  him,  Sept.  17. 

Sloops  running  at  this  time  to  New  York  number  206,  Oct.  i. 

Second  Presbyterian  Church,  on  west  side  of  Chapel  street  and  run- 
ning through  to  Lodge  street,  a  corner-stone  laid  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Neill,  in  the  presence  of  the  first  board  of  trustees,  James  Kane, 
John  L.  Winne,  Nathaniel  Davis,  Joseph  Russell  and  Roderick 
Sedgwick.  Oct.  11. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  James  Warren,  George  Pear- 
son, I.  John  Bleecker,  Joseph  Russell,  Sr.,  II.  Teunis  Van 
Vechten,  John  C.  Cuyler,  III.  John  Van  Zandt,  Aaron  Hand, 
IV.    Election,  Sept.  28;  sworn  in,  Oct.  12. 

Notice  given  by  Gilbert  Stewart,  Richard  Lush  and  James  Warren 
that  at  next  session  of  the  Legislature  they  intend  to  incorporate 
a  bank  by  the  name  of  the  Merchants,  Oct.  18. 

Notice  given  of  application  to  the  Legislature  to  charter  the  Albany 
Commercial  Bank  with  a  capital  of  $1,250,000.  by  John  Bogart, 
George  Webster,  E.  F.  Backus,  Joseph  H.  Webb  and  Vinal 
Luce,  Oct.  20. 

John  Cook  conducting  a  reading-room  and  circulating  library, 
charging  $6  to  the  former  and  $10  to  join  both,  Oct.  28. 

Citizens  and  all  the  local  military  commands  go  to  Schenectady  to 
meet  Commodore  Oliver  Hazard  Perry,  styled  the  "  Hero  of 
Lake  Erie  "  by  reason  of  his  complete  victory  there  over  the 
British  fleet  on  Sept.  loth,  who  was  on  his  way  to  his  native 
city,  South  Kingston,  R.  I.  (b.  Aug.  23,  1785)  being  but  28 
years  old  at  the  time.  He  is  met  at  Douw's  Tavern  on  the  turn- 
pike, and  after  partaking  of  refreshments  there  the  procession 
proceeds  to  the  Capitol,  where  he  is  presented  with  an  elegant 
sword  and  the  freedom  of  the  city  encased  in  a  gold  box,  after 
which  ceremony  the  procession  escorts  him  to  the  Eagle  Tavern, 
n.  e.  corner  of  Broadway  and  Hamilton  street,  where  the  Mayor 
and  Recorder  escort  him  to  a  specially  prepared  suite  of  rooms. 
At  night  he  attends  a  grand  ball  and  notes  the  illuminated  trans- 
parency over  his  hotel,  "  We  have  met  the  enemy  and  they  are 
ours,"  Nov.  8. 

Elaborate  entertainment  given  to  Commodore  Perry  at  the  Eagle 
Tavern,  Nov.  9. 

Commodore  Perry  leaves  for  his  home  in  Rhode  Island,      Nov.  11. 

Common  Council  resolution  passed  offering  $1,000  to  anyone  dis- 
covering a  strata  of  coal  of  not  less  than  4  feet  within  five  miles 
of  the  navigable  waters  of  the  Hudson  river,  Dec.  6. 


MECHANICS  AND  FARMERS'  BANK. 

This  third  bank  in  the  city  was  chartered  March  4,  181 1  and  entered  its 
building  in  1814.  In  1875  it  was  removed  to  make  a  site  tor  the  Federal  Building 
or  Post-Office. 


No.    T,2.  PHILIP    SCHUYLER    VAN    RENSSELAER.  4I5 

1813-1814. 

Common  Council  attempts  to  make  the  assize  of  bread  correspond 
with  $9  per  barrel,  being  a  loaf  of  2  lbs.  10  oz.  for  i  shilling,  and 
the  bakers  issue  a  manifesto  declaring  their  intention  to  starve 
the  inhabitants  into  better  terms,  Dec.  13. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.  14. 

Methodist  Episcopal  meeting-house  in  Division  st.  dedicated, 

Dec.  19. 


1814. 


Agitation  of  project  to  build  a  bridge  across  the  Hudson,  but  meets 
with  opposition  from  Troy,  fearing  injury  to  sloop  traffic, 

Jan.  II. 

Common  Council  appropriates  $1,000  for  relief  of  people  in  want  on 
the  western  frontier  following  the  war  that  had  hurt  their  farm- 
ing industries,  Jan.  17. 

Humane  Society  benefited  by  $474  received  as  proceeds  of  sermon 
delivered  by  Rev.  Dr.  Nott  at  North  Dutch  Church,      March  6. 

Assembly  committee  reports  adversely  on  a  bridge  across  river ;  but 
the  House  disagrees  with  report  and  grants  petitioners'  right  to 
introduce  a  bill  mcorporating  Hudson  River  Bridge  Co., 

Alarch  11. 

Projectors  of  Albany  Female  Academy  purchase  a  lot  on  Montgom- 
ery street,  Ebenezer  Foot  leading  the  movement,  ]\Iay  i. 

Steamboat  Fulton,  the  seventh  steamboat  to  ply  the  river  to  New 
York,  makes  her  first  departure  from  this  city,  although  origi- 
nally intended  to  run  to  New  Haven ;  but  British  cruisers  ren- 
dered navigation  on  the  sound  unsafe ;  327  tons,  Capt.  Bunker, 

May  9. 

Albany  Female  Academy  opened  under  Horace  Goodrich  on  Mont- 
gomery street.  May  21. 

Mechanics  &  Farmers'  Bank,  its  ist  edifice,  erected  north  of  the  site 
of  the  Post-Office  building  there  in  1906  and  which  was  to  be 
removed  some  70  years  later  to  allow  a  roadway  for  mailcarts. 

Bank  of  Albany  elects  John  Van  Schaick  its  Csth)  president  to  suc- 
ceed Dudley  Walsh, 

News  of  the  Battle  of  Lundy's  Lane  received,  July  25. 

Citizens  meet  at  the  Capitol  and  recommend  suspension  of  specie 
payments  following  a  step  taken  by  New  York  and  Philadelphia 
banks,  Sept.  3. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  James  Warren,  Kilian  Van 
Rensselaer,  I.    Isaac  Hunter,  Chauncey  Humphrey,  11.    Tennis 


4l6  PHILIP   SCHUYLER  VAN   RENSSELAER.  No.    32. 

1814-1815. 

Van  Vechten,  John  Brinckerhoff,  III.     Gerrit  Bogart,  Aaron 

Hann,  IV.     Isaac  I.  Fryer,  Peter  Dox,  V.     Election,  Sept  27 ; 

sworn  in,  Oct.  11, 

Geo.  W.  Alancius  removed  as  postmaster  after  a  long"  term  and  Peter 

P.  Dox  appointed. 
River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.  2. 


1815. 


Legislature  passes  law  dividing  towns  of  Rensselaer  and  Coeymans 
to  form  the  town  of  Westerlo,  March  16. 

Census  shows  4,860  free  wdiite  males,  5,063  females,  100  slaves, 
total  10.023  in  the  city  and  33,945  in  the  county. 

Colonic  annexed  to  city  of  x-Vlbany  as  its  fifth  ward,  March. 

Greenbush  incorporated  as  a  village,  April  14. 

Washington  avenue  still  known  as  Lion  street. 

Building  of  the  Albany  Boys'  Academy  progressing  on  the  park  so 
far  as  digging  of  foundations,  '  May  i. 

There  being  two  Dutch  churches  in  the  city,  holding  much  property 
in  common,  the  members  not  agreeing  on  division  of  income 
derived  therefrom,  reach  a  determination  to  allow  the  North 
Dutch  Church  erected  in  1797  on  west  side  of  No.  Pearl  street 
to  continue  the  ancient  title  as  "  First,"  and  continue  under  Rev. 
John  I\Ielancthon  Bradford,  the  one  on  south  side  of  Beaver 
street,  midwav  between  So.  Pearl  and  Green  streets,  running 
through  to  Hudson  avenue,  to  be  known  as  the  Second  Re- 
formed Protestant  Dutch  Church,  and  continue  under  pastorate 
of  Rev.  Dr.  John  DeWitt,  May. 

Common  Council  appropriates  50  acres  of  land  at  the  south  bounds 
of  the  city,  half  a  mile  west  of  the  river,  for  an  alms-house  and 
farming  purposes  for  support  thereof,  June. 

Albany  Boys'  Academy  corner-stone  laid  by  Mayor  Philip  S.  Van 
Rensselaer,  with  great  ceremony  before  a  vast  concourse,  Seth 
Geer,  architect,  July  29. 

James  Ladd,  keeper  of  the  celebrated  "  Coffee  House  "  on  Green 
street,  dies,  Aug.  2. 

Movement  to  have  No.  Pearl  street  opened  to  north  boundary, 

Aug.  II. 

Albany  Boys'  Academy  elects  Benj.  Allen,  LL.  D.,  ist  principal, 

August. 


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No.    2)2-  PHILIP   SCHUYLER    VAN    RENSSELAER.  417 

1815-1816. 

Second  Presbyterian  Church,  on  west  side  of  Chapel  street,  dedi- 
cated by  Rev.  Dr.  Neill,  having  cost  $75,000,  Sept.  3. 

Albany  Boys'  Academy  opens  in  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer's  building  at 
the  s.  e.  corner  of  State  and  Lodge  streets.  Sept.  11. 

Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  first  daily  in  city,  appears,  Sept.  25. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Killian  Van  Rensselaer,  James 
Warren,  I.  Chauncey  Humphrey,  Isaac  Hansen,  H.  Tennis 
Van  Vechten,  Richard  S.  Treat,  HI.  Benjamin  Knower, 
Charles  D.  Cooper,  IV.  Isaac  I.  Fryer,  John  A.  Goeway,  \' . 
Election,  Sept.  26;  sworn  in,  Oct.  10. 

Goldsborough  Banyar,  who  came  when  young  from  England  to  this 
city  and  w'as  deputy-secretary  of  the  province  of  New  York 
previous  to  the  Revolution,  aged  91,  dies,  Nov.  4. 

Death  of  Balthazar  Lydius,  suddenly,  an  eccentric  character  and 
last  of  his  ancient  line  in  city,  aged  yy,  Nov.  17. 

Death  of  Postmaster  Peter  P.  Dox,  late  county  sheriff,  Nov.  21. 

River  closes  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.  16. 

Common  Council,  in  view  of  past  experiences,  finds  it'  necessary  to 
pass  an  ordinance  to  double  watch  the  streets  during  Christmas 
and  New  Year's  celebration,  enforcing  the  law  prohibiting  firing 
of  guns  days  or  nights  of  Dec.  24th,  25th  and  26th  or  from 
Dec.  31st  to  Jan.  2nd,  December. 


1816. 


Gerrit  L.  Dox  made  postmaster  of  Albany  to  succeed  his  brother, 
Peter  P.,  who  died  on  Nov.  21st  last,  January. 

Specie  as  low  as  6%  at  Albany,  and  brokers  decline  at  price, 

January. 

Thermometer  14  degrees  below  zero,  Jan.  16. 

Sudden  thaw  breaks  the  ice  betw'^en  here  and  Troy,  and  it  carries 
down  a  sloop  laden  with  wh^at,  wi.ich  sinks  opposite  the  city, 

Jan.  18. 

Expense  of  conducting  the  Lancaster  schc  ol  for  past  year,  including 
rent  because  the  building  on  west  S'de  of  Eagle  street  is  un- 
finished, salaries,  heating,  etc.,  $1,204.53,  ^o''  4^°  scholars,  W. 
A.  Tweed  Dale,  prin.,  Feb.  i. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  Tontine  Coffee  House  a  number  of  the  most 
prominent  citizens  divide  into  committees  to  visit  inhabitants  of 
each  ward  and  secure  signatures  to  a  petition  to  the  Legislature 
urging  the  construction  of  a  canal  from  the  Hudson  to  I>ake 
Erie,  Feb.  7. 


4l8  PHILIP  SCHUYLER  VAN   RENSSELAER.  No.    32. 

1816-1819. 

Legislature  passes  bill  erecting  the  village  of  Troy  ii  "   with 

Albert  Paulding  its  first  ^layor  and  William  I  .  ^*- 

Recorder,  ' 

Legislature  provides  for  a  school  here  for  colorv 

Fire  starts  at  the  "  commons  "  in  the  north  end 
derland  and  Watervliet,  doing  damage  untoi 

Col.  Rensselaer  Westerlo  elected  to  Congress  by 
over  Col.  Elisha  Jenkins, 

Dudley  Walsh,  late  president  of  Bank  of  Albany,  v 
from  a  foreign  land  and  created  his  own  fortun 
a  prime  and  important  mover  in  nearly  every  gr 
undertaken,  aged  55,  dies, 

John  Godfrey  Saxe,  prominent  American  poet,  wh^    , 
most  of  his  life  in  this  city,  born  at  Highgatf     ,  < 

Memorial  presented  to  the  Common  Council  b  ,' 
suggesting  the  division  of  the  city  into  fi\  ■ 
relief  of  the  poor,  giving  a  physician  to  - 
Bay ;  2nd,  James  Low ;  3rd,  Charles  D. 
Wendell;   5th    (Aims-House),   Piatt  Will.   , 
$200  each,  acted  on  as  outlined  above. 

Independence  Day  celebrated,  oration  by  Rev.  Di 
Col.  John  O.  Cole  reader. 

Council  of  Appointment  now  being  Democratic,  ii  1..  ..  ,or 

Philip  S.  \'an  Rensselaer,  who  had  been  decidedly  popular  for 
17  years  as  the  city's  executive,  and  Col.  Elisha  Jenkins,  who 
was  born  at  Hudson  and  resided  there  until  he  came  to  Albany 
in  1 80 1  as  a  merchant,  having  served  as  state  comptroller, 
1801-6;  as  secretary  of  state,  1806-9  ^nd  ^vas  quartermaster- 
general  of  the  Northern  Department  during  War  of  1812,  is 
appointed  to  assume  the  office  of  Mayor,  July. 

•         •         • 

(See,^^     33.) 


(C^     ;•  '      ^3-) 


Philip  S.  Van  Renssel  If'^nif-Oli 

having  been  name^  ^      _,ui  \ 

Col.  Elisha  Jenkins,  resigne    ^ 

at  his  native  city,  Hudson,  N.  Y., 


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No.    32.  PPIILIP    SCHUYLER    VAX    RKNSSELAER.  4I9 


1819-1820. 


City  built  up  only  one  mile  westward  of  the  city,  beyond  that  a  dense 
forest  of  pine  trees  with  here  and  there  an  opening  of  sandy 
plains,  July. 

A  sign  of  early  medical  college  at  Albany  given  by  an  advertisement 
of  Dr.  James  Low,  who  offers  to  instruct  a  class  of  ten  or  twelve 
men  in  pharmacy,  practical  botany  as  applied  to  medicine  and 
chemistry,  August. 

Board  of  Agriculture  organized  here. 

Rev.  William  B.  Lacey  installed  at  St.  Peter's  Church,  Sept.  6. 

Charter  Election  of  aldermen  and  assistants  for  5  wards,       Sept.  28. 

George  Reelman,  a  German,  aged  112^  years,  born  at  Landau  on 
March  8,  1707,  and  a  fighter  in  the  Battle  of  Prague  on  May  6, 
1757,  dies  at  Settle's  Hill.  Guilderland,  Oct.  2. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  John  Stilwell,  John  L  Ostran- 
der,  L  Charles  E.  Dudley,  Isaac  Hamilton,  H.  Nicholas 
Bleecker,  John  R.  Bleecker,  HL  Matthew  Trotter,  Adonijah 
Moody,  IV.  Isaac  I.  Fryer,  James  Gibbons,  V.  Election,  Sept. 
28;  sworn  in,  Oct.  12. 

Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  appointed  Regent  of  University. 

John  E.  Lovett  appointed  attorney  to  the  Common  Council  to  suc- 
ceed Teunis  Van  Vechten  who  had  resigned,  Oct.  25. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Nov.   13. 

The  Message  delivered  by  the  president  at  Washington  at  noon  on 
Tuesday,  Dec.  7th,  arrives  at  New  York  city  at  6  o'clock  the 
next  morning,  and  reaches  this  citv  in  time  to  be  published  in 
Daily  Advertiser  on  Friday,  and  is  pronounced  "  unprecedented 
speed,"  Dec.  10. 

Lieut.-Gov.  John  Tayler,  of  Albany,  presides  at  a  meeting  held  in 
the  Capitol  to  consider  the  prohibition  of  the  extension  of 
slavery  in  the  United  States,  addresses  by  Dr.  Chester  and 
Judge  William  A.  Duer,  and  the  latter's  resolution  was  for- 
warded later  to  the  Congress,  Dec.  21. 


1820. 


Population  of  the  city  set  forth  as  12, 5. ,1  and  of  the  state  1,372,812, 
with  slaves  numbering  10,088  in    sew  York  state,  January. 

Stage-coaches  first  allowed  to  carry      i  mail. 
Abraham  Eights,  highly  respected  citizen,  aged  74  years,  dies, 

Jan.  10. 


420  PHILIP   SCHUYLER  VAN   RENSSELAER.  No.    32. 

1820. 

Mayor  P.  S.  Van  Rensselaer's  flouring-mills  on  the  Normanskill 
creek  at  the  crossing  of  the  Bethlehem  turnpike,  burned  clown, 

Jan.  19. 

Common  Council's  ordinance  operative  prohibiting  sale  of  wood  in 
State  street  east  of  Middle  Lane  (James  St.),  the  object  being 
to  concentrate  the  selling  of  grain  east  of  that  lane,  dealers 
notifying  that  they  would  sell  nowhere  else,  Jan.  21. 

John  Van  Schaick,  president  of  Bank  of  Albany,  aged  47,  dies, 

March  i. 

Levi  Solomon  establishes  a  tobacco  factorv  in  Tivoli  Hollow  (suc- 
ceeded by  B.  Payn  Tobacco  Co.,  which  firm  name  existed  in 
1906) . 

Legislative  Act  incorporating  the  Albany  Savings  Bank  with 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  its  first  president,  March  24. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  March  25. 

Steamboat  Paragon,  Capt.  Roorback,  arrives  from  New  York,  the 
fare  reduced  to  $6,  March  27. 

Bank  of  Albany  elects  Barent  r)leecker  to  succeed  John  Van  Schaick 
as  its  6th  president. 

Christopher  Dunn,  occu]3ant  of  the  old  stone  house  on  Green  street, 
opens  the  famous  Albany  Cofifee  House  at  corner  of  Green  and 
Beaver  streets,  a  dailv  resort  of  the  famous  men  coming  to 
Albany  or  resident.  May. 

Albany  Savings  Bank,  first  in  the  city,  opens,  and  sum  of  $527  re- 
ceived from  21  depositors  the  first  day,  Jos.  T.  Rice,  silver- 
smith, leaving  first  deposit,  $25,  June  10. 

Prof.  Theodric  Romeyn  Beck  makes  first  (by  16  years)  geological 
and  agricultural  survey  of  its  kind  in  the  state,  selecting  Albany 
county  for  his  first  field,  Aug.  10. 

Albany  firemen  go  to  Troy  to  aid  in  fire  that  sweeps  down  River 
street,  doing  damage  amounting  to  a  million  dollars,     June  20. 

Apprentices'  Library  founded  to  aid  young  mechanics,  Aug.  24. 

Albany  Library  removes  from  Chapel  street  to  building  of  Mr.  John 
Pruyn,  one  door  north,  on  Broadway,  of  Exchange  Building, 
later  the  site  of  the  Post-C)ffice  of  1906,  September. 

Abraham  Van  Vechten's  wife,  Catherine,  aged  54,  dies,  Sept.  10. 

Capt.  David  Van  Der  Heyden,  an  officer  in  the  War  of  1812,  dies  at 
his  residence.  No.  85  No.  Pearl  street,  Sept.  20. 

Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  elected  president  of  N.  Y.  State  Agri- 
cultural Society. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Theodore  Sedgwick,  Sebastian 
Visscher,  L  Charles  E.  Dudley,  Chauncey  Humphrey.  11. 
Nicholas  Bleecker,  Richard   S.  Treat.   HL     Mr*  .hew  Trotter. 


No.    32.  PHILIP    SCIIUYLKR   VAN    RENSSELAER.  42I 

1820-1821. 

Estes    Howe,    IV.     James    Gibbons,    Richard    Dnsenbury,    V. 
Election,  Sept.  26;  sworn  in,  Oct.  10. 

Legislature  convenes  and  listens  to  Message  of  Gov.  DeWitt  Clinton, 
and  Derrick  L.  Vander  Heyden  elected  clerk  of  Assembly, 

Nov.  7. 
A  majority  of  the  Common  Council  recently  elected  being  Demo- 
cratic, Mayor  P.  S.  Van  Rensselaer  tenders  his  resignation  to 
take  effect  at  the  pleasure  of  the  Board,  having  served  19  years 
■    as  the  city's  executive,  Nov.  13. 

A  chamber  of  commerce  formed  with  Nicholas  Bleecker,  Jr.,  sec- 
retary, November. 
John  Cook  appointed  librarian  of  Apprentices'  Library,       Nov.  30. 
Isaiah  Townsend  elected  president  of  Chamber  of  Commerce, 

Dec.  5. 
River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.  13. 

Common  Council  deems  it  unwise  to  continue  assize  of  bread, 

Dec.  18. 

New  York  mail-coach  l)reaks  through  ice  in  crossing  to  Greenbush 

and  sinks  in  15  feet  of  water,  loss  of  $500,  Dec.  21. 

Rev.    Dr.    Chester   preaches    special    sermon   at   celebration    of   the 

second  centennial  of  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims  at  Plymouth, 

Dec.  22. 


1821. 


Board   of   Agriculture    imports   a   library   from    England    which    is 

placed  in  charge  of  Solomon  Southwick,  editor  of  The  Plough 

Boy,  Jan.  25. 

Benjamin  Knower.  of  yMbany.  appointed  state  treasurer,         Jan,  29. 

Henry  C.  Southwick.  brother  of  Solomon,  dies  at  New  York, 

Jan.  29. 
Ice-boat  arrives  from  Athens,  30  miles,  i  hour,  t,2  mins.,  Feb.  2. 

Reorganization  of  city  officers  by  Council  of  Appointment,     Feb.  13. 

•         •         • 
(See  No.  34.) 


No.  33. 


JvilyS,18>16-Jvily2.  1619. 


No.  33. 
ELISHA    JENKINS. 

Date  of  office:    July  8,  1816  —  July  2,  1819.      (Resigns). 

Appointed  by:     Governor  John  Jay. 

Place  of  birth:     Hudson,  N.  Y. 

Parents:     Thomas  (J.)  and  Mary  Barnard. 

Education:     School  at  Tludson. 

Married  to:     (a)    Sarah  Green. 

(b)    Hannah  

Residence:     No.   121  Lion  street.      (Washington  ave.). 

Occupation:     Merchant. 

Date  of  death:     1851. 

Place  of  death:     New  York,  N.  Y. 

Title:     Colonel. 

Remarks:  State  Senator,  1798.  Came  to  Albany  in  1801.  State 
Comptroller,  1801-6.  Secretary  of  State,  1806-9.  Quarter- 
master, General  Northern  Department,  War  of  1812.  Colonel 
on  stafif  of  Governor  George  Clinton.  Regent.  Noted  for 
strict  integrity. 


23-     ELISHA  JENKINS. 
1S16-1819. 
From  a  photograph  by  Floyd,  made  from  an  old  engraving  in  O'Callaghan's 
Documentary  History  of  New  York. 


No.  33-  ELISHA    JENKINS.  425 

1816. 

(Continued  from  No.  32.) 
1816. 


Col.  Elisha  Jenkins  is  sworn  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  the  Council  of 
Appointment  being  Democratic  having  removed  Mayor  Philip 
S.  Van  Rensselaer,  who  had  officiated  for  the  past  17  years, 

'July  8. 

Watervliet  Arsenal's  first  building,  a  brick  structure,  being  erected, 

July. 

James  Dexter,  Welcome  Esleeck  and  John  E.  Lovett  admitted  as 
attorneys  by  the  Supreme  Court,  all  three  proving  later  men  of 
ability,  the  second  mentioned  serving  as  alderman  many  years 
and  the  last  for  several  terms  as  city  attorney,  July  20. 

Common  Council  names  a  committee  (McKown,  Cooper  and  Van 
Vechten)  to  prepare  an  address  expressive  of  indignation  of 
the  Board  at  the  removal  of  Mayor  Van  Rensselaer  for  political 
reasons,  July  29. 

Albany  Academy  building  completed. 

Capt.  Roorback  makes  the  experiment  on  the  Car  of  Neptune  of 
burning  coal  instead  of  wood,  as  there  was  much  complaint  that 
the  woods  of  the  city  were  being  denuded  of  trees  to  satisfy 
the  requirements  of  the  steamboats,  and  the  price  had  risen, 

Sept.  I. 

Gen.  Henry  K.  Van  Rensselaer,  aged  J^,  dies,  Sept.  9. 

The  steamboat  Chancellor  Livingston,  built  by  Henry  Eckford  at 
New  York,  495  tons  (Munsell's  Annals,  Vol.  VI.,  p.  40.  526 
tons)  157  feet  long,  33  feet  broad,  10  feet  deep,  44x60  in. 
engine,  first  runs. 

The  Albany  Reading  Room  and  Library  opened  in  1809  by  John 
Cook  (later  the  first  N.  Y.  State  Librarian)  with  82  subscribers^ 
James  Kent  allowing  free  rental  of  room,  has  131  subscribers, 
and  he  appeals  for  more  patrons  or  he  must  abandon  it, 

Sept.  24. 

First  Lutheran  Church's  new  edifice  (n.  w.  corner  of  Pine  and  Lodge 
streets)  corner-stone  laid,  Philip  Hooker,  architect,  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Mayer,  Sept.  26. 

Stage  fare  to  Canandaigua  $16.25. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council:  Isaac  Denniston,  John  V.  N. 
Yates,  I.  Chauncey  Humphrey,  Peter  D.  Beeckman,  II.  Rich- 
ard S.  Treat,  Nicholas  Bleecker,  III.  Charles  D.  Cooper, 
Solomon  Allen,  IV.  Isaac  I.  Fryer,  James  Gibbons,  \\  Elec- 
^•ion,  Sept.  24 ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  8. 


426  ELISHA  JENKINS.  No.   33. 

1816-1817. 

Legislature  convenes  and  listens  to  D.  D.  Tompkins'  ^Message, 

^Nov.  5. 

Gerrit  W.  Van  Schaick,  first  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Albany 
(1792-1814),  a  Revolutionary  soldier  at  Burgoyne's  surrender, 
and  alderman,  dies  at  Lansingburg,  aged  59,  Dec.  13. 

Police  office  established  at  s.  w.  corner  of  State  and  Pearl  streets, 

Dec.  15. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Dec.  16. 

Methodists  start  one  of  the  first  Sunday  schools  in  the  city. 

Debtors  confined  in  the  jail  petition  the  rich  "  for  such  broken  meats 
and  vegetables  as  the  opulent  have  it  in  their  power  to  spare  " 
during  the  inclement  season,  Dec.  28. 


1817. 


Local  Legislative  bill  introduced  to  encourage  search  for  coal  be- 
tween Albany  and  Troy,  Feb.  5. 

Citizens  meet  at  the  Capitol  to  discuss  plans  for  the  speedy  and 
eflrectual  abolition  of  slavery,  Feb.  7. 

Gerrit  L.   Dox  appointed  State  Treasurer,  Feb.    12. 

Governor  Tompkins  presents  swords,  awarded  by  the  Legislature  of 
1814,  to  Maj.-Gen.  Brown,  IJ.  S.  Army,  and  ^Maj.-Gen.  JMooers 
of  the  state  militia,  Feb.  19. 

Henry  Trowbridge,  at  his  jMuseum,  gives  the  first  exhibition  of  illu- 
minating-gas before  a  cultivated  audience,  March  22. 

John  Tayler  nominated  lieutenant-governor,  March  25. 

Legislature  passes  a  law  to  abolish  slavery  in  Xew  York  state,  to  be 
operative  on  and  after  July  4,  1827,  providing  that  every  negro, 
mulatto  or  mustee,  born  before  July  4th,  1797,  shall  from  and 
after  the  4th  day  of  July,  1827,  be  free,  and  that  all  negroes, 
mulattoes  and  mustees  born  after  the  4th  day  of  July,  I799> 
shall  be  free,  males  at  the  age  of  28,  and  females  at  the  age  of 
25,  March  31. 

Bill  for  the  construction  of  the  Erie  canal  passes  the  Legislature, 

April  15. 

Charles  D.  Cooper  appointed  secretary  of  state,  April  16. 

Lancaster  school  removes  to  its  own  new  building  west  side  of 
Eagle,  between  Lancaster  and  Jay  streets.  Dr.  Theodric 
Romeyn  Beck  delivering  the  formal  opening  address,       May  5. 


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No.  33-  ELISIIA    JKXKINS.  427 


1817. 


jNIartin  Van  Buren  and  Benjamin  F.  Butler  form  a  partnership  in 
law,  and  establish  their  office  at  No.  1 1 1  State  street.      May  26. 

Thos.  W.  Olcott  made  cashier  of  Mechanics  &  Farmers'  Bank. 

June. 

Work  inaugurated  on  Erie  canal  with  public  ceremonial,  Jtily  4- 

Dr.  Samuel  Stringer,  born  in  Maryland  and  educated  in  Philadel- 
phia, received  appointment  in  British  army  in  1755,  present 
when  Lord  Howe  fell  at  the  siege  of  Ticonderoga.  after  which 
he  settled  in  Albany  and  was  prominent  in  erecting  the  first 
Masonic  Lodge  here,  aged  82  years,  dies,  July  11. 

Dr.  Theodric  Romeyn  Beck  elected  the  2nd  principal  of  the  Albany 
Academy  and  to  instruct  in  mathematics.  -^i-ig-   I4- 

About  the  first  steam  vessel  to  ply  between  this  city  and  Troy,  the 
Stoudinger,  Captain  Fish,  put  on  the  route,  Aug.  21. 

Benjamin  Knower  elected  (3rd)  president  Mechanics  &  Farmers' 
Bank. 

People  were  issuing  private  "  shinplasters  ''  ad  libitum  at  this  time, 
and  one  of  the  most  active  was  Calvin  Cheeseman,  whose  pri- 
vate banking-house  had  issued  $150,000  when  he  assigned  to 
John  Van  Ness  Yates  and  C.  Humphrey,  Aug.  25. 

Captain  Bartholomew  goes  to  Lake  George  to  command  the  first 
steamboat  operated  on  that  body,  Caldwell  to  Ticonderoga, 

August. 

South  ferry  propelled  by  two  horses  working  a  treadle,  the  invention 
of  Langdon,  of  Whitehall,  August. 

Forty-five  miles  of  the  new  Erie  canal  under  contract,         Sept.  13. 

Rev.  Arthur  Joseph  Stansbury  installed  at  ist  Presbyterian  Church, 

Sept.  30. 

Charter  election  of  aldermen  and  assistants  in  the  5  wards, 

Sept.  30. 

James  Geddes,  an  engineer,  advertises  for  proposals  to  excavate  the 
canal  connecting  the  Hudson  with  Lake  Champlain,       Oct.  10. 

Citizens  meet  at  Moody's  Tavern,  So.  Market  st.  Hower  Broadway) 
to  discuss  methods  of  abolishing  smaller  currency  bills  than  one 
dollar  unless  issued  by  the  city,  Oct.  7. 

Robert  McClellan,  former  state  treasurer,  dies,  Oct.  8. 

Casparus  Pruyn,  a  highly  respected  citizen,  dies,  Oct.  8. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council:  John  V.  N.  Yates,  Isaac  Den- 
niston.  L  Chauncey  Humphrey,  Charles  E.  Dudley,  H.  Nich- 
olas Bleecker,  Richard  S.  Treat,  HL  Matthew  Trotter,  Samuel 
Harring,  IV.  Isaac  I.  Fryer^  James  Gibbons,  V.  Election, 
Sept.  30 ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  14. 


428  ELISIiA   JENKINS.  No.   33. 

1817-1818. 


Dr.  James  AlacxXaughton,  one  of  the  most  prominent  physicians  the 
city  ever  had,  starts  practice  at  No.  91  No.  Pearl  st.,       Oct.  15. 
Fire  burns  21  houses,  from  No.  142  to  186  Wasliington  street, 

Nov.  8. 
Whale  exhibited  at  State  and  Lodge  streets,  Nov.  28. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.  14. 


1818. 


Postmaster  Theodore  Bailey,  of  New  York,  sends  word  that  with 
the  river  closed  the  mail  would  be  sent  once  daily  by  stage  to 
New  York  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  Jan.  17. 

Thermometer  13  degrees  below  zero,  which  is  likely  inaccurate,  as 
that  of  Simeon  DeWitt  registered  26  degrees  below,       Feb.  11. 

Freshet  so  high  that  water  stood  over  2  feet  deep  in  the  barroom 
of  the  Eagle  Tavern,  s.  e.  comer  So.  Market  (Broadway)  and 
Hamilton  streets,  the  ferry  carried  half  way  to  Pearl  street  and 
sailing  vessels  floated  over  the  dock,  one  family  carried  in  its 
house  across  the  river  to  Bath,  March  3. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  March,  25. 

Bell  for  South  Dutch  church,  2,500  lbs.,  made  in  Holland,  placed  in 
the  belfry  of  the  Beaver  street  edifice,  March  30. 

N.  Y.  State  Library  founded  by  Act  of  Legislature,  April  21. 

John  Van  Ness  Yates  appointed  state  secretary,  April. 

Macfarlane's  dye-house  established  by  Robert  and  William  Martin 
on  Hudson  avenue  (on  Norton  street  in  1906). 

Green  street  theatre,  erected  in  181 1,  being  unused,  sold  to  the  Bap- 
tist Society  and  funds  raising  to  furnish  it,  June  i. 

Rev.  William  B.  Lacey  accepts  the  call  of  St.  Peter's  Church  to  con- 
duct services  for  one  year,  proposing  mutually  the  prospect  of 
becoming  the  rector,  July  2. 

Remains  of  Gen.  Richard  Montgomery  (born  at  Swords,  County 
Dubin,  Ire.,  Dec.  2,  1736;  killed  before  Quebec  while  fighting 
for  the  Americans'  cause  against  the  British,  Dec.  31,  1775) 
having  been  brought  to  Troy  on  the  3rd,  where  they  rested  in 
the  Court  House,  w^ere  conveyed  the  next  morning  to  this  city, 
being  met  at  the  northern  bounds  of  the  city  by  the  corpora- 
tion's officers  and  military  bodies  under  Lieut. -Col.  LaGrange, 
the  United  States  troops  commanded  by  Majors  Birdsall  and 
Worth,  marching  through  upper  Broadway,  Columbia  and  No. 
Pearl  street  to  Gov.  DeWitt  Clinton's  residence  at  the  southeast 


No.  33-  ELISHA    JENKINS.  429 

1818-1819. 

corner  of  No.  Pearl  and  Steuben  streets,  thence  to  the  Capitol, 
where  they  were  deposited  in  the  Council  Chamber,  the  hono- 
rary pallbearers  being  local  Reyolutionary  officers,  July  4. 

General  Montgomery's  remains  guarded  over  Sunday  at  the  Capitol 
by  Captain  Lansing's  artillery  company,  July  5. 

General  Montgomery's  remains  escorted  by  a  vast  concourse  made 
up  of  the  city  officials  and  military  bodies  to  the  steamboat 
Richmond,  whereon  Cols.  H.  Livingston  and  Peter  Gansevoort, 
governor's  aids,  and  Col.  L.  Livingston  accompany  the  body  to 
New  York,  to  be  deposited  on  July  8th,  in  St.  Paul's  Episcopal 
Church  near  the  monument  erected  by  the  United  States. 

July  6. 

Joseph  Lancaster,  a  noted  advocate  of  public  instruction,  arrives  and 
visits  the  school  named  in  his  honor,  delivering  address, 

Sept.  4. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  John  Stilwell,  John  L  Os- 
trander,  L  Charles  E.  Dudley,  Isaac  Hamilton,  IL  Nicholas 
Bleecker,  John  R.  Bleecker,  IIL  Matthew  Trotter,  Adonijah 
Moody,  IV.  Isaac  I.  Fryer,  James  Gibbons,  V.  Election,  Sept. 
29;  sworn  in,  Oct.  13. 

State  Library,  pursuant  to  law  passed  Apr.  21st,  opened  under  John 
Cook  as  the  first  librarian,  in  a  room  in  the  Capitol,  November. 

Common  Council  determines  that  proceedings  shall  be  in  public  and 
that  provision  be  made  for  spectators,  Nov.  16. 

Stage  line  established  to  Montreal  on  west  side  of  Lake  Champlain, 
running  three  times  weekly,  Dec.  5. 

River  closed,  official  record,  Dec.  13. 


1819. 


Governor  reports  in  Message  to  the  Legislature  the  expense  of 
erecting  the  Capitol  as  completed  Nov.  i,  1808,  at  the  head 
of  State  street,  west  of  the  park,  fronting  on  a  line  with  Park 
Place  and  bordering  State  street  upon  the  south,  paid  by  the 
State,  $73,485.42;  by  City,  $34,200;  by  County,  $3,000;  total, 
$110,685.42;  the  city  using  the  northeast  corner  for  the  Com- 
mon Council  Chamber,  on  the  first  floor,  the  Mayor's  Court 
using  the  room  on  floor  above,  Jan.  i. 

Baptists  dedicate  the  renovated  Green  street  theatre,  Jan.  i. 

Proposition  to  establish  a  stage  line  to  Niagara  Falls,  to  cover  the 
distance  in  four  days,  thus  making  it  feasible  to  reach  Detroit 
ni  eight  days  by  rapid  traveling,  Jan.  25. 


430  ELISHA  JENKINS.  No.   33. 

1819. 

Loaf  of  bread  required  by  law  to  weigh  2lbs.  8oz.,  Feb.  T. 

Gould  Hoyt  acts  as  chairman  of  a  meeting  at  Bement's  Inn,  No. 
55  State  street,  to  advocate  abolishment  of  law  imprisoning  for 
debt,  Feb.  24. 

Up  to  first  of  this  year,  since  1797,  the  sum  of  $148,707.94  had  been 
raised  by  lottery  for  improvement  of  navigation  near  city. 

Albany  Chamber  of  Commerce  organized,  April. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  April  3. 

Jeremias  A'an  Rensselaer,  the  last  of  the  original  line  in  Holland 
to  bear  the  name,  direct  descendant  of  tlie  founder  of  Rens- 
selaer, three  miles  southeast  of  Nykerk,  liad  married  Julie 
Duval ;  but  had  no  children,  and  in  his  will  stating"  he  has  no 
heirs  except  the  Van  Rensselaers  living  in  America,  dies  at 
Nykerk,  Holland,  April  11. 

Benj.  \Miii)ple,  many  years  Assembly  door-keeper,  aged  64,  dies, 

April  30. 

Mail  sent  by  post-riders  done  away  with,  May. 

Academy  park  or  common  excavated  to  use  soil  in  grading  Lydius 
street,  (Madison  ave. )  causing  a  p(5nd  in  the  depression.     May. 

Mayor  Elisha  Jenkins  decides  that  he  intends  to  move  to  Hudson 
to  live  and  resigns  his  office,  taking  effect.  July  2. 


(See  No.  22.) 


No.  34. 

flllftirl^s  lEimarJn  iuil^g. 


Feb.  19,  1821  — Feb.  15,  1822. 
Feb.  16,  1822  — Feb.  19,  1823. 
Feb.  20,  1823  — Mar.    9,1824. 

May  29,  1828  — Dec.  31,  1828. 
JanV       1,    1829— Jan.    19,  1829. 


No.  34. 

CHARLES    EDWARD    DUDLEY.    . 

Date  of  office:  (a)  Feb.  19,  1821  —  Feb.  15,  1822. 
(b)  Feb.  16,  1822  —  Feb.  19,  1823. 
(cj    Feb.  20,  1823  —  March  9,  1824. 

(d)  May  29,  1828  — Dec.  31,  1828. 

(e)  Jan.  i,  1829  —  Jan.  19,  1829  (resigned) 
Date  of  election:       (a)    Feb.  19,  1821. 

(b)  Feb.  16,  1822. 

(c)  Feb.  20,  1823. 

(d)  May  29,  1828. 

(e)  Jan'y  i,  1829. 
Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     (a)    Unanimous. 

(b)  Unanimous. 

(c)  Unanimous. 

(d)  Unanimous. 

(e)  Unanimous. 
Opponent:     (a)  None. 

(b)  None. 

(c)  None. 

(d)  None. 

(e)  None. 

Date  of  birth:     May  23,  1780. 

Place  of  birth:     Johnson  Hall,  Staffordshire,  England. 

Parents:     Charles  Dudley  and  Catherine  Crook. 

Education:     Newport  schools. 

Married  to:     Blandina  Bleecker. 

Children:     None. 

Residence:     No.  54  North  Pearl  street. 

Occupation:     Merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     January  23,  1841. 

Place  of  death:     Albany. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Senator. 

Remarks:  Presidential  elector,  1816.  Came  to  Albany  in  1819. 
Alderman,  1819-20.  State  Senator,  1820-24.  Council  of 
Appointment,  1822.  United  States  Senator,  1829-33.  Vice- 
President  Mechanics  and  Farmers'  Bank,  February  3,  1834. 
Public  spirited.  His  widow  endowed  Dudley  Observatory. 
His  father  under  British  Collector  of  Port,  at  Newport,  R.  L, 
previous  to  the  Revolution. 


34-     CHARLES  EDWARD  DUDLEY. 
1821-24;  1828-29. 
From   an   oil   painting   made   from   life  that   was   presented   to   the   city   of 
Albany  by  Mr.  Dudley  Tibbits  of  Troy. 


No.   34.  CHARLES   EIAVARD  DUDLEY.  433 


1821. 


(Continued  from  No.  32.) 
1821. 


Charles  Edward  Dudley,  liaving  been  unanimously  elected  Alayor 
of  Albany,  by  the  Common  Council,  assumes  office,        Feb.  19. 

Pierre  A'an  Cortland's  wife,  Ann.  dies  at  her  home,  corner  of  North 
Market  street  (Broadway)  and  Steuben  street,  Feb.  20. 

John  O.   Cole  appointed  a  police  justice,  Feb.   22. 

Welcome  Esleeck  appointed  superintendent  of  Common  schools  in 
place  of  Gideon  Hawley,  Feb.  22. 

Washington's  Birthday  observed,  address  by  Hooper  Cumming, 

Feb.  22. 

William  Caldwell,  prominent  merchant,  No.  64  State  street,  retires, 

]\Iarch  5. 

Legislature  reduces  pay  of  members  from  $4  to  $3,  March  20. 

River  open  to  navigation,  March  25. 

Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  elected  congressman,  April  26. 

Martin  Van  Buren  and  Benj.  F.  Butler  remove  their  law  office  to 
No.  353  North  Market  st.  (Broadway)  from  No.  iii  State  st., 

May  II. 

Capitol  Square  or  park  having  been  improved  in  fall  of  1820,  citizens 
propose  a  fund  to  improve  Academy  Square,  the  commons,  in 
same  manner,  with  the  idea  of  rendering  the  vacant  and  use- 
less lots  north  of  it,  on  Elk  street,  worthy  of  building  houses 
there,  May  15. 

Complaint  that  city  salaries  are  too  large,  especially  that  of  police 
justice  at  $300,  when  formerly  it  was  $80  annually.       May  27. 

Albany  Academy  trustees  advertise  for  removal  of  10,000  loads  of 
earth  from  the  Square,  and  to  dump  on  Elk  street  hollow,  north, 

June  4. 

Negro  found  in  State  Bank  when  Cashier  Yates  was  about  to  re- 
tire to  his  room  in  the  building  to  go  to  bed,  secured  by  struggle, 

June  21. 

Female  Academy  building  corner-stone,  Montgomery  street,  its  sec- 
ond edifice  (site  of  N.  Y.  Central  railroad  station)  laid  at  11 
a.  m.  by  Rev.  John  Chester  before  a  vast  concourse,      June  26. 

Henry  J.  Bogart,  many  years  alderman,  aged  92,  dies,  June  28. 

Steamboat  fare  to  New  York  raised  to  $8  for  one  person,  but  the 
steamboat  United  States  was  put  on  and  charged  only  half, 

June  29. 


434  CHARLES   EDWARD  DUDLEY.  No.   34. 

1821. 

Independence  Day  celebrated,  Dirck  Vander  Heyden,  orator,  July  4. 

Constitutional  Convention  meets  at  "  Old  "  Capitol  and  Hon.  Daniel 
D.  Tompkins  is  chosen  president  of  the  body,  August  28. 

Steamboat  Chancellor  tries  the  innovation  of  a  band  of  music  aboard 
for  delectation  of  its  passengers,  Aug  30. 

Henry  Trowbridge  adds  the  New  Haven  museum  to  his  collection 
in  the  '*  Marble  Pillar,"  n.  w^  corner  of  Broadway  and  State 
street,  and  announces  his  collection  surpasses  any  in  country, 
save  Peal's,  Philadelphia,  August  31. 

Dirck  Van  Schelluyne,  an  alderman,  advertises  for  sale  a  lot  of  two 
acres,  used  as  a  woodyard  by  steamboats,  Madison  avenue  and 
Hamilton  street,  Sept,  i. 

Rev.  John  McDonald  dies  at  residence.  No.  41  No.  Pearl  St.,  Sept.  i. 

Theory  of  rotary  and  progressive  motion  of  storms  expounded  by 
William  C.  Redfield,  scientist,  Sept.  3. 

Dr.  Alden  March,  who  had  come  here  from  Massachusetts  to  live, 
instructs  a  class  of  fourteen  young  men  in  medicine  in  a  build- 
ing on  Montgomery  street,  Sept.  15. 

Albany  County  Agricultural  Society  holds  third  anniversary,  Hon. 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  president,  and  awards  Jesse  Buel 
prize  of  $10  for  the  best  two  acres  of  wheat  raised  in  the  city, 
39  bushels  12  qts.  of  wheat  being  raised  on  one  acre,      Oct.  10. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Theodore  Sedgwick,  John 
Stillwell,  I.  Chauncey  Humphrey,  John  Cassidy,  H.  Nicholas 
Bleecker,  Robert  Davis,  HL  Philip  Phelps,  James  L'Amou- 
reux,  IV.  James  Gibbons,  Richard  Dusenbury,  V.  Election, 
Sept.  25  ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  19. 

Francis  M.  Southwick  oldest  son  of  Solomon  Southwick  and  an 
officer  of  a  local  command,  aged  23,  dies,  Oct.  21. 

Col.  John  Visscher,  aged  85,  dies,  Oct.  24. 

The  Chancellor  Livingston  runs  aground  on  the  Overslaugh  and  re- 
mains so  for  29  hours,  Oct.  29. 

Steamboat  Richmond  aground  on  Overslaugh  4  hours,  and  causes 
universal  indignation  among  citizens  at  condition  of  channel, 

Oct.  30. 

Constitutional  Convention,  after  session  of  75  days  adjourns,  and 
final  vote  on  adoption  is  98  to  8,  with  18  absent  at  voting, 

Nov,  10. 

Albany  Female  Academy  building,  on  Montgomery  street,  com- 
pleted at  a  cost  of  $3,000.96,  November. 

Common  Council  abolishes  all  previous  laws  regarding  weight  of 
bread ;  but  insists  that  bakers  stamp  on  loaves  initials  and 
weight,  Nov.  5. 


No.   34.  CHARLES  EDWARD  DUDLEY.  435 

1821-1822. 

Yoke  of  oxen  weighing  3,000  lbs.  each,  raised  by  Hartford,  Vt. 

farmer,  largest  ever  in  city,  exhibited  at  Fly  Market,  6  So. 

Pearl,  Nov.  28. 

River  closes  to  navigation,  Dec.  13. 


1822. 


Legislature  convenes,  in  Assembly  from  Albany,  James  McKown, 
William  McKown,  Volckert  Douw  Oothout  and  John  P.  Shear ; 
in  Senate,  Charles  E.  Dudley  and  Archibald  Mclntyre,    Jan.  i. 

Thermometer  14  degrees  below  zero,  Jan.  5. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  resigns  seat  in  Congress  to  become 
postmaster  at  Albany,  Solomon  Southwick  removed,  and  Gov- 
ernor orders  an  election  for  Feb.  5th  to  fill  vacancy  in  Con- 
gress, Jan.  14. 

Thermometer  15  degrees  below  zero  throughout  the  city,        Jan.  14. 

Voting  on  adoption  of  the  new  constitution  completed  Nov.  10, 
1821,  city  of  Albany  votes  690  in  favor  and  614  against;  county 
voting  1,905  in  favor  and  1,981  against,  Jan.  15, 

Dr.  James  Low,  aged  40,  dies  (burial  at  Charlton,  Saratoga  Co.) 
and  the  Medical  society  members  resolve  to  wear  crape  on  left 
arm  for  next  30  days,  Feb.  3. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer's  handsome  home.  Cherry  Hill,  just 
south  of  the  city  line,  burned  by  incendiaries.  The  Governor 
offers  reward  of  $500  General  Van  Rensselaer  $500  and  Com- 
mon Council  $250,  Feb.    16. 

Mayor  Charles  E.  Dudley  reappointed  by  the  Common  Council, 

Feb.  16. 
•        •        • 

Mayor  Charles  Edward  Dudley,  having  been  reappointed  at  an 
election  held  by  the  Common  Council  on  Feb,  i6th,  resumes 
office,  Feb.  16. 

Valuation  of  real  and  personal  property  in  Albany  county  for  1821 
is  placed  at  $7,484,647,  Feb.  21. 

Abraham  A.  Lansing,  living  at  Cherry  Hill,  below  city  line,  aged 
70  years,  dies  there,  Feb.  21. 

River  open  to  navigation  only  before  the  city,  Feb.  28. 

Knox,  named,  after  Rev.  John  Knox,  formed  from  Berne,     Feb.  28. 

New  state  constitution  is  adopted  by  a  vote  of  116,919. 


436  CHARLES  EDWARD  DUDLEY.  No.   34. 

1822. 

Ice  breaks  up  but  passage  r.ot  clear  to  Xew  York,  March  6. 

John  street  changed  frorn  Sturgeon  Lane. 

Meteor   of   extraordinary    brilliancy   and    size    passes    southwest, 

March  9 

Rev.  John  Bassett  completes  translation  of  A^ander  Donk's  historv 
of  Xew  Xetherland,  he  having  removed  to  Bushwick,  L.  I., 

March  10 

Legislature  adjourns  after  a  session  of  107  days,  April  17. 

Jane  McCrea's  remains  having  been  removed  to  the  Fort  Edwaro 
cemetery,  Rev.  Hooper  Gumming  preaches  the  special  sermon 

April  23 

Alucl:  silver  plate  found  in  a  field  at  west  end  of  city  while  a 
person  was  ploughing,  tea  and  coiTee-pots,  sugar-bowls,  spoons 
etc.,  buried  there  during  40  years  after  robbery  of  Thos.  Ship- 
boy.  Survivor  of  this  robbery  of  1778  now  living  is  Col 
Sebastian  Visscher's  wife.  April  29 

Rev.  Henry  W.  Weed  installed  at  First  Presbyterian  church.  May  7 

Barent  Bleecker  unanimously  re-elected  president  Bank  of  Albany 

May  14 

Canal  loan,  $600,000,  taken  at  a  premium  of  1^:4 9fc  by  New  York 
State  Bank  and  Mechanics  &  Farmers'  Bank,  on  <o'/<^  stock, 

]May  J:2. 

St.  Peter's  Church  vestry  advertises  to  build  a  steeple.  Maj'-  29. 

Websters  &  Skinners,  publishers,  dissolve  partnership,  consisting  of 
George  and  Charles  R.  \\"ebster.  Hezekiah  and  Elisha  W. 
Skinner,  June  i. 

X'o  debtor  confined  m  the  jail  at  this  time. —  unusual,  June  i,v 

-Steamboats  introduce  cotillions  to  entertain  passengers,         Jun^^  15 

Harrowgate  spring,  discovered  in  Greenbush  in  1792  half  a  mile 
back  from  river  and  frequented  much  by  "  the  genteel  "  imti'. 
militia  post  was  establisbed  there  in  1813.  again  comes  Xc 
notice  with  a  bath-house,  June   17. 

?\Iartin  A'an  Buren  and  Benj.  F.  Butler,  prominent  attorneys  who 
liad  moved  into  Xo.  353  Xo.  Market  st.  (Broadway)  on  May 
II,   1 82 1,  now  remove  to  Xo.   109  State  st. 

Joseph  Caldwell,  a  prominent  and  respected  citizen,  85,  dies  June  23. 

Erie  canal  work  being  rapidly  progressed  and  freightage  to  Ctira 
greatly  increased,  350  wagons  loaded  with  flour  passing  on  the 
turnpike  from  Albany  to  Schenectady  in  one  day.  July  i 

Citizens  meet  at  Capitol  and  nominate  Solomon  Southwick  for  gov- 
ernor, July  24. 

Oriental  Star,  religious,  published  by  Eezaleel  Howe,  Aug.  3. 


No.   34.  CHARLES   i:i)\\  AKl)   DUDLEY.  437 

1822. 


At  this  time  the  Albany  (Boys)  Academy  has  4  teachers  and  130 
students.  Albany  b'emale  Academy  has  4  teachers  and  138 
students,  Alechanics'  Academy  has  i  teacher  and  40  students, 
Lancaster  School  has  i  teacher  and  390  students.  Aug.  8. 

Newspapers  boast  of  the  unheard  of  rapidity  of  mail  serivcc,  letters 
mailed  in  New  York  on  July  19th  were  received  at  Rochester 
on  23rd,  a  distance  of  390  miles,  by  stage,  Aug.  9. 

Yellow  fever  raging  in  New  York,  merchants  convey  their  stock  to 

Albanv  and  rent  stores  here  during  the  epidemic,  Aug.  10 

Joseph  Bonaparte,  Spain's  ex-King,  arrives  at  Albany  on  his  travels, 

and  takes   rooms   at  Eagle   Tavern,   s.   e.   cor.   Broadway  and 

Hamilton,  Aug.  15. 

Wheat  sells  at  $1.22  a  bushel,  loaves  of  4  lbs.  at  i  s.,  Aug.  27. 

Steamboats  from  New  York  quarantined  at  Van  Rensselaer  Island 
below  the  city,  fearing  yellow  fever,  order  by  proclamation, 

Aug.  28. 

Charter  election  for  aldermen  and  assistants  in  five  wards,   Sept.  19. 

Harmanus  P.  Schuyler,  former  sherilil:  and  chamberlain  many  years, 
dies  at  his  home  in  Niskayuna,  aged  53  years,  Oct.  13. 

Dr.  Alden  Alarch  starts  second  course  of  his  anatomical  lectures, 

Oct.   14. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  John  Townsend,  Friend 
Humphrey,  I.  John  Cassidy,  Jeremiah  Waterman,  H.  Eben- 
ezer  Baldwin,  Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck,  HI.  James  L'Amoureaux, 
Welcome  Esleeck,  T\'.  James  Gibbons,  Benjamin  A\'ilson,  A^ 
Election,  Sept.  24;  sworn  in,  Oct.  18. 

Hawthorn  JNIcCulloch  of  So.  Ferry  street,  exhibits  a  beet  2  feet, 
3  inches  long,  17  inches  in  circumference,  four  feet  being  the 
entire  length  of  plant,  Oct.  25. 

New  York  merchants  here  during  yellow  fever  spell,  return,  Oct.  27. 

James  Denny,  quartermaster  aboard  U.  S.  Schooner  Alligator,  aged 
30,  killed  in  engagement  with  pirates,  Nov.  9. 

Greek  war  for  emancipation  from  Turks  engages  sympathy  of 
citizens  and  meetings  are  held  to  raise  funds  to  help  Greeks, 

Nov.  19. 

President's  Alessage  arrives  on  third  day  after  its  delivery,  Dec.  7. 

River  closes  to  navigation.  Dec.  24. 

John  Ten  Broeck,  who  was  a  member  of  the  state  convention 
framing  the  state  constitution  of  1777,  also  a  Revolutionary 
patriot,  aged  83,  dies  Dec.  26, 

Aaron  Thorpe  &  Co.  advertise  a  stage  line  to  Canandaigua  and 
guarantee  to  arrive  at  Utica  dav  of  starting  out,  Dec.  27, 


:|.38  CHARLES  EDWARD  DUDLEY.  No.   34. 

1823. 


1823. 

Joseph  C.  Yates  sworn  in  as  Governor  and  Legislature  convenes, 

Jan.   I. 

A  new  theatre  opened  at  No.  140  State  street,  the  other  one  at 
this  time  being  the  Albany  Theatre  at  Thespian  Hotel,  No. 
Pearl  st.,  Jan.    12. 

James  Dexter  and  Richard  Van  Rensselaer  admitted  by  Supreme 
Court  to  practice  as  counselors,  Jan.   17. 

]\Ioses  I.  Cantine,  one  of  the  proprietors  and  editors  of  the  Argus, 
also  the  state  printer,  aged  49  years,  dies  Jan.  24. 

Nicholas  N.  Quackenbush,  prominent  lawyer,  dies  at  his  residence. 
No.  272  No.  Market  st.  (Broadway),  aged  59  years,      Jan.  26. 

Tobias  Van  Schaick.  foremost  dry  goods  merchant,  retires,    Jan.  31. 

William  A.  Tweed  Dale,  principal  of  Lancaster  school,  makes  annual 
report,  showing  311  scholars,  and  income  of  $1,611.56,  which 
had  covered  all  the  expenses,  Feb.  3. 

Jeremiah  Waterman  opens  a  large  dry  goods  store  on  No.  Market 
St.  (Broadway)  opp.  ]\Iechanics  &  Farmers'  Bank,  Feb.  5. 

Thermometer  18  degrees  below  zero,  Feb.  7. 

Simeon  DeWitt  appointed  state  survevor-general,  second  time, 

Feb.  8. 

Thorpe's  stage  makes  record  to  Utica.  leaving  there  at  midnight 
and  arriving  here  at  9:10  a.  m.,  six  passengers,  the  96  miles 
in  practically  9  hours,  and  covering  the  turnpike  from  Schenec- 
tady (16  miles)  in  67  minutes.  This  coach,  same  six  pas- 
sengers, returned  to  Utica  that  afternoon,  arriving  at  7  p.  m., 
went  to  New  Hartford  and  back  to  L^tica  at  8  p.  m.,  thus 
covering  200  miles  in  20  hours^  Feb.  8. 

William  L.  Marcy  appointed  state  comptroller,  Feb.  13. 

Benjamin  Wright  reports  to  canal  commissioners,  as  consulting 
engineer,  that  a  basin  for  boats  leaving  the  canal  at  Albany 
would  be  an  advantage  to  the  city  and  might  be  constructed 
for  $100,000,  and  it  would  help  shipments  to  river  boats  without 
storage,  Feb.  ii. 

Chas.  R.  Webster  elected  president  Albany  ^^lechanics'  Society, 

Feb.  II. 

Charles  E.  Dudley  unanimously  re-elected  by  the  Common  Council 

Feb.  20. 
•        •        • 

Charles  Edward  Dudley  having  been  unanimously  re-elected  by  the 
Common   Council  on  this  day,   resumes  his  duties  as  Alayor, 

Feb.  20. 


No.   34.  CPIARLES  EDWARD  DUDLEY,  439 


1823. 


Geo.  Webster,  a  proprietor  of  Daily  Advertiser,  aged  61,  dies, 

Feb.  21. 

Apprentices'  Library  having  350  readers  on  its  roll  and  1,585  books, 
is  benefited  to  extent  of  $137  by  Rev.  H.  Cumming's  lecture, 

Feb.  23. 

Benjamin  F.  Butler,  partner  of  Alartin  Van  Buren,  lawyers,  ap- 
pointed district  attorney  for  Albany  county,  March. 

Albany  Lyceum  of  Natural  History  incorporated;  Stephen  Van 
Rensselaer,  president. 

James  Wasson  and  Major  C.  Humphrey,  acting  for  Wasson  & 
Jewell,  livery,  drive  into  town  with  fifty  horses  attached  to  a 
single  sleigh,  having  procured  them  in  Montreal,         March  21. 

River  ice  breaking  up,  March  24. 

River  so  free  of  ice  that  the  Fire  Fly  arrives,  March  26. 

Ira  Porter,  merchant  tailor,  dies  at  Ballston,  March  31. 

Legislature  passes  bill  authorizing  Albany  basin,  April  5. 

Law  passed  instructing  supervisors  to  construct  a  treadmill  near 
the  Albany  jail,  to  cost  not  more  than  $1,100,  and  commission- 
ing Friend  Humphrey,  James  McKown  and  Philip  Hooker  to 
provide  it,  April  15, 

Dr.  Theodric  Romeyn  Beck's  wife,  Harriet,  daughter  of  James  Cald- 
well, a  prominent  merchant,  dies,  April  18. 

Gibbonsville    (later  to  be   West   Troy, — Watervliet)    incorporated, 

April  23. 

Tobias  Van  Schaick's  wife,  Jane,  aged  40,  dies,  April  25. 

Legislature  adjourns,  having  passed  269  laws,  April  25. 

State  engineering  corps  locates  Erie  canal  lock  to  open  into  the 
river,  and  stakes  out  the  pier  forming  the  basin,  May  15. 

John  Cook,  first  state  librarian,  located  in  "Old  "  Capitol,  announces 
that  he  will  keep  the  library  open  for  those  citizens  who  might 
desire  to  consult  the  books,  until  late  in  the  fall,         June  17. 

Funeral  of  Dirck  Van  Schelluyne,  July  24. 

Grown  near  the  city,  eighty-seven  headed  stalks  of  rye  from  a  single 
head  of  grain,  July  24. 

New  series  of  Literature  Lottery  drawn  in  Albany  under  supervision 
of  C.  A.  Ten  Eyck,  William  Gould  and  Ebenezer  Baldwin, 

July  26. 

Windmill  near  "  Old  "  Capitol  disrupted  by  severe  gale,     July  o.'j. 

Albany  bar  meets  to  testify  respects  to  Hon.  James  Kent  on  retiring 
from  ofifice  as  chancellor,  Estes  Howe  presiding,  July  29. 

New  steamboat  James  Kent  arrives,  passage  in  20  hours,  built  by 
Smith  &  Dimon  at  New  York  city,  364  tons,  140  ft.  x  48  ft., 

Aug.  19. 


440  CHARLES  EDWARD  DUDLEY.  No.    34. 

1823. 

John  \'.  Henry,  lawyer,  receives  "  LL.D."  from  ^liddlebury  college, 

Aug.  20. 

Rev.  John  Ludlow  installed  at  North  Dutch  Church,         Aug.  20. 

John  Cook,  first  State  Librarian,  originator  of  the  Albany  Library 
and  reading  room,  aged  59,  dies,  (Calvin  Pepper  succeeding), 

Aug.  21. 

Graham  Klink,  publisher  of  Albany  Directory,  aged  30,  dies, 

Aug.  29. 

Alfred  Conkling  and  Jabez  Hammond  form  law  firm,  65  State  St., 

Sept.  2. 

Dam  and  lock  in  the  Hudson  above  Troy  completed  and  Waterford 
and  Lansinburg  people  celebrate,  the  Fire  Fly  taking  passengers 
through  the  lock  to  Waterford  at  $1  a  head, — dam's  length 
1,100  feet,  48  feet  high  from  foundation  and  58  feet  broad, 

Sept.  10. 

T.  Romeyn  Beck's  "  Medical  Jurisprudence  "  printed,  Sept.  15. 

First  water  passes  from  Erie  canal  into  Albany  basin,  and  an  eel 
three  feet  long,  as  the  first  living  thing  to  come  through,  caught 
and  preserved  in  the  Lyceum  of  Natural  History,  Sept.  25. 

Charter  election  for  aldermen  and  assistants  in  the  5  wards, 

Sept.  30. 

Erie  canal  ceremoniously  opened,  from  the  Genesee  river  eastward 
to  the  Hudson  river,  and  the  canal-boat  DeWitt  Clinton  tra- 
verses this  completed  portion.  Governor  Yates,  ]\Ia>;or  Charles 
E.  Bleecker,  Common  Council  and  other  guests  aboard;  Dr. 
Mitchell  mingling  waters  from  the  West  and  waters  from  the 
ocean  as  it  passes  amid  hussas  and  booming  of  cannon  through 
the  first  lock  and  into  the  Hudson,  Oct.  8. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  John  Townsend,  Friend  Hum- 
phrey, L  John  Cassidy,  Jeremiah  Waterman,  H.  James  Van 
Ingen,  Ebenezer  Baldwin,  HL  Philip  Phelps,  Hawthorn 
McCulloch,  IV.  James  Gibbons,  Benjamin  Wilson,  V.  Elec- 
tion, Sept.  30;  sworn  in,  Oct.   14. 

One  foot  of  snow  falls,  thunder  and  lightning,  Oct.  25. 

Elisha  Jenkins  advertises  for  construction  of  the  Pier,  to  be  1,700 
feet  long,  80  feet  wide  and  18  feet  high,  Oct.  29. 

Rev.  Jos.  Hulburt  installed  at  Third  Presbyterian  Church,     Oct.  29. 

Incorporation  of  Commercial  Bank  applied  for  by  Joseph  Alexander, 
George  W.  Stanton,  David  E.  Gregory,  and  Alexander  David- 
son, to  have  a  capital  of  $500,000,  Nov.  2^]. 

Samuel  V^ander  Heyden,  a  founder  of  Troy,  dies,  Nov.  27. 

Apprentices'  Library  removed  to  Bank  of  Albany  building,  and  Paul 
Hochstrasser  appointed  librarian,  Nov.  27. 


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No.  34.  CHARLES  EDWARD  DUDLEY.  44I 

1823-1824. 

River  closes   (but  opens  later),  Dec.   i. 

Common  Council  holds  that  city  will  no  longer  be  responsible  for 
accidents  happening  at  ferry,  sunrise  to  sunset,  Dec.  2. 

George  W.  Alancius,  former  postmaster,  aged  56,  dies,  Dec.  4. 

Watervliet  Arsenal's  second  building,  of  stone,  west  of  canal,  built. 
Robert  Dunlop's  malt  house  and  5,000  bushels  of  barley,  burnt, 

Dec.  15. 
River  closes  to  navigation,  Dec.  18. 

Ice  in  river  breaks  up,  caused  by  rain,  and  freshet  ensues,      Dec.  25. 


1824. 


A  political  disaffection  in  the  Common  Council  seeks  the  overthrow 
of  Mayor  C.  E.  Dudley,  and  on  balloting  to  declare  the  office 
vacant  the  vote  stood  11  to  11,  inclusive  of  the  ^layor's  vote, 

Jan.  I. 

Legislature  convenes,  John  Van  Ness  Yates  administering  oaths, 

Jan.  6. 

Twelve  Niskayuna  Shakers  brought  to  town  jail  on  refusing  to 
perform  military  duty  as  incompatible  with  their  doctrine ;  but 
the  colonel  of  the  regiment  recognizes  their  plea,  Jan.  8. 

Albany  Regency,  a  political  clique  of  great  power  in  the  state  and 
also  extending  to  control  the  presidency  and  governmental 
positions,  prominent  movers  in  which  were  John  A.  Dix,  Martin 
Van  Buren,  William  L.  ]\Iarcy  and  Silas  Wright,  all  of  whom 
served  as  New  York  governors  at  some  time,  commenced  to 
gain  in  strength  from  1820  (existing  until  about  1854)  and  an 
important  factor  onward  from  1824. 

Ice  moves  down  the  river  leaving  it  open  to  New  York  city,  Jan.  11. 

John  S.  Van  Rensselaer  confirmed  by  Senate  as  County  judge, 

Jan.  16. 

New  York  State  Literature  Lottery  tickets  sold  from  store  of 
Chauncey  Johnson,  No.  393  So.  INIarket  st.   (Broadway), 

Feb.  5. 

"  Religious  ATonitor  "   issued  by  Chauncey  Webster,  Feb.   5. 

Common  Council  ballots  ten  times  for  mayor,  the  22  votes  being 
divided  between  John  N.  Ouackenbush  and  Ambrose  Spencer, 
whereupon  someone  proposing  adjournment  and  the  vote  being 
II  to   II,  the  Mayor  cast  a  deciding  vote.     Eleven  members 


442  CHARLES  EDWARD  DUDLEV.  No.   34. 

1824,    1828. 

remained  after  adjournment  and  organizing  cast  ii  votes  for 
Ambrose  Spencer,  whom  they  declared  elected  Mayor;  but  this 
was  later  not  considered  lawful,  Feb.  9. 

Dr.  Robert  Kerr,  physician  in  liritish  army  in  Canada  who  had  been 
kind  to  the  Americans  in  the  War  of  1812,  aged  69,  buried 
from  Cruttcnden's  hotel  ( later  known  as  Congress  hall)  having 
died,  Feb.  25. 

Philip  S.  Van  Rensselaer  elected  president  of  the  Bible  and  Prayer- 
Book  Society  of  Albany  and  vicinity,  Feb.  24. 

River  opened  to  navigation  (Gov't  record),  March  3. 

Common  Council  ballots  for  ]Mayor,  the  vote  on  first  ballot  standing 
II  to  II.  On  second  ballot  John  Lansing,  Jr.,  had  10,  i  blank, 
and  1 1   for  Ambrose  Spencer,  who  was  declared  duly  elected, 

March  8. 
•         •         • 

(See   No.   35.) 

(Continued  from  Xo.  36.) 
1828. 


Charles  Edward  Dudley,  after  a  lapse  of  four  years,  a  fourth  time 
becomes  Mayor,  having  been  unanimously  elected  by  the  Com- 
mon Council  on  this  day  because  of  the  resignation  on  May 
23rd  of  Mayor  James  Stevenson,  May  29. 

Steamboat  DeWitt  Clinton  launched  at  the  Albany  builders'  dock 
of  Hand  &  Kenyon,  near  the  south  ferry,  of  571  tons.  233 
feet  long,  28  feet  broad  and  10  feet  deep  in  hold,  with  engine 
66x120  inches,  the  fourth  steamboat  built  at  this  city;  but 
stated  in  Munsell's  "Annals  of  Albany,"  (Vol.  IX,  p.  169)  to 
be  143  feet  long  and  27  feet  broad.  May. 

First  successfully  steam-driven  printing-press  in  America  (probablv 
made  by  R.  Hoe  &  Co.)  operated  at  n.  w.  corner  Green  and 
Beaver  streets,  to  print  "  The  Temperance  Recorder." 

City  maintains  586  oil  lamps  this  year. 

The  late  DeWitt  Clinton's  property  sold  by  sherifif  to  satisfy  a 
judgment  of  $6,000,  at  which  the  large  and  magnificent  silver 
vases  presented  to  him  by  the  merchants  of  X^ew  York  in  recog- 
nition of  his  successful  efforts  in  instituting  the  Erie  canal,  are 
sold  for  $600.  and  nothing  left  of  his  once  fine  estate  save  a  few 
old  carriages.  Truly  was  it  written  in  Clinton's  City  Directory 
by  Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  deposited  later  in  the  State  Library, 


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No.   34.  CHARLES  EDWARD  DUDLEY.  443 

1828. 

"  He  who  added  millions  to  the  State  of  New  York  has  himself 
died  poor."  June  3. 

Extensive  stone  dykes  being  built  along  the  west  bank  of  the  river 
a  few  miles  south  of  the  city,  July. 

William  Duffey  converts  Albany  Circus  into  Summer  Theatre, 

July  26. 

Solomon  Southwick  declines  being  candidate  for  governor,    July  28. 

Rev.  Wm.  B.  Lacey,  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  publishes  for  use  of  the 
schools,  "  An  Illustration  of  the  Principles  of  Elocution," 

Aug.  I. 

Albany  Savings  Bank's  business  conducted  by  the  Commercial. 

Albany  Female  Seminary  opens  for  inspection  at  65  Division  st., 

Aug.  22. 

Proposition  to  level  Robinson's  Hill  by  building  a  stone  wall  at  low 
parts  and  leveling.  Eagle,  Hudson  to  Madison  avenue,  and 
honoring  DeWitt  Clinton  by  giving  the  new  square  his  name, 

Aug.  22. 

Common  Council  receives  bids  for  leveling  Robinson's  Hill  and 
carting  the  earth  to  the  low  pasture  land  south  of  So.  Ferry 
St.,  one  contractor  agreeing  to  perform  the  work  if  allowed 
three  quarters  of  the  land  made  suitable  for  building,    Aug.  25. 

Common  Council  estimates  that  its  property  on  Robinson's  Hill 
contains  about  44  lots,  requiring  removal  of  150,700  cubic 
yards  at  9  cents,  amounting  to  $13,500,  and  agrees  to  contract 
with  Clark  &  Rose  to  allow  the  firm  three  out  of  four  lots 
excavated,  Aug.  28. 

Common  Council  allows  Clark  &  Rose  to  lay  tracks  from  Madison 
avenue,  through  So.  Pearl  and  So.  Ferry  streets  in  removing 
Robinson's  Hill,  Sept.  8. 

Israel  Smith  and  Joseph  Alexander,  commissioners  improving  the 
Hudson,  report  excavating  for  1,500  feet  through  the  Over- 
slaugh, at  uniform  breadth  of  160  feet,  so  as  to  afford  10  feet 
at  high  tide  during  lowest  stage  of  water  in  river,  by  depositing 
1,100  scowloads,  24  cubic  yards  each,  behind  the  dyke  on  west 
bank,  and  they  urge  a  further  appropriation  to  continue  the 
work  Sept.  8. 

Legislature  convenes  at  "  Old  "  Capitol  to  revise  laws,         Sept.  9. 

Steamboat  North  America  accomplishes  trips  to  and  from  New 
York  by  daylight,  making  it  in  10  hrs.  53  mins.,         Sept.   II. 

Albany  and  Troy  boat  running  at  this  time,  the  Carolina,  Capt. 
H.  Keeler,  charging  12^  cents,  Sept.  15. 

Israel  W.  Clark,  in  1812  editor  of  the  "  Watch  Tower,"  and  who 
revived  the  "Albany  Register"  in  1818,  aged  39,  dies  at 
Rochester,  Sept.  20. 


444  CHARLES   EDWARD  DUDLEY.  No.    34. 

1828. 

Steamboat  DeWitt  Clinton  completed  at  Hand  &  Kenyon's  yards 
near  South  ferry,  and  under  Capt.  Thos.  Wiswall  takes  350 
guests  to  Hudson  and  back,  Sept.  27th,  and  commences  regular 
N.  Y.  trips,  Sept.  29. 

John  I.  Van  Rensselaer,  aged  66,  dies  at  Greenbush,  Sept.  29. 

Charter  election  for  alderman  and  assistants  of  the  five  wards,  the 
Jackson  party  (Dem.)  pitted  against  the  (Rep.)  Adams  party, 

Sept.  30. 

State  street  paved  from  Eagle  to  Lark  street. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  Friend  Humphrey,  John 
Townsend,  I.  John  Cassidy.  Daniel  ]\IcGlashan,  H.  Gerrit 
Gates,  Isaac  W.  Staats,  HI.  Philip  Phelps.  Hathorn  McCul- 
loch,  IV.  Francis  I.  Bradt,  James  Gibbons,  V.  Election,  Sept. 
30;  sworn  in,  Oct.   14. 

Steamboat  .North  America  while  coming  to  Albany,  springs  a  leak 
and  runs  ashore  at  West  Point,  with  stern  in  90  feet  of  water ; 
but  300  passengers  are  put  aboard  Constellation  and  DeWitt 
Clinton,  Nov.  25. 

Common  Council  enacts  that  bread  must  be  made  in  loaves  weighing 
one,  two  and  three  pounds,  Nov.  25. 

Abraham  Van  Vechten  elected  president  of  St.   Nicholas   Society, 

Nov.  25. 

Common  Council  decides  to  establish  a  market  on  west  side  of 
So.  Pearl  street,  between  Howard  and  Beaver  streets,  Nov.  27. 

Fourth  Presbyterian  Church  incorporated,  Dec.  i. 

Erection  of  second  edifice  of  St.  Mary's   ( R.  C.)   Church. 

John  Maley  Cuyler  removing  from  city,  William  L.  Osborn  (Dem.) 
is  elected  assistant  aldennan  of  First  ward,  Dec.  16. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Government  record,  Dec.  23. 

Albany  Times  and  Literary  Writer,  edited  by  Simeon  DeWitt 
Bloodgood,  issued  by  Daniel  AIcGlashan,  No.  44  Dean  street, 

Dec.   2.^. 

Common  Council  applied  to  by  Messrs.  Archibald  Campbell,  David 
Newlands,  Jacob  F.  Sternbergh,  J.  Smith,  Daniel  Carmichael, 
Duncan  Robertson,  James  Carmichael  and  Peter  Mcintosh  for 
permission  to  erect  a  vault  where  bodies  might  be  kept  a  time 
before  burial  to  prevent  dissection  by  doctors,  and  would  pur- 
chase a  part  of  Potter's  field,  Dec.  29. 

Common  Council  requested  by  Samuel  Pruyn,  Israel  Smith  and 
others  to  improve  No.  Pearl  from  Orange  to  Patroon  st.  (Clin- 
ton ave.)  which  was  suited  only  to  the  miserable  hovels  there, 

Dec.  29. 


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No.   34.  CHARLES   EDWARD  DUDLEY.  445 

1829. 


1829. 

Common  Council  assembles  at  9  a.  m.,  the  entire  body  of  21  members 
present,  and  Charles  Edward  Dudley  is  unanimously  re-elected 
the  Mayor  of  Albany,  Jan.   i. 

Members  of  the  Common  Council  order  carriages  at  the  public 
expense  to  make  the  customary  New  Year's  calls,  Jan.  i. 
Gov.  Martin  Van  Buren  inaugurated,  Enos  T.  Throop,  Lieut. -Gov- 
ernor, while  cannon  fire  33  guns,  denoting  each  thousand  of 
majority  vote,  the  cannon  used  being  the  "  Clinton,"  dis- 
charged at  Robinson's  Hill  by  the  famous  Jonathan   Kidney, 

Jan.    I. 
Forty-four  pews  of  St.  Mary's  new  (R.  C.)  Church  sell  for  $1,475, 

Jan.  I. 
Clinton  Lodge,  No.  7.  L  O.  O.   F.,   instituted,  Jan.  9. 

Rev.  John  Chester,  (b.  Weathersfield,  Conn.)  aged  43  years  and 
pastor  of  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  dies  at  Philadelphia, 

Jan.  12. 
Gen.  Goze  Van  Schaick's  widow,  Mary,  aged  79  years,  dies,  Jan.  15. 
Mayor  Charles  E.  Dudley  chosen  U.  S.  Senator  by  Legislature, 

Jan.    15. 
Mayor  Charles  Edward  Dudley  resigns  his  office  to  become  United 
States  Senator,  Jan.  19. 

•        •         • 

(See  No.  37.) 


No,  35. 


MarcK  lO,  1824-  — Dec.  31,  1824. 
Jan.  1,  1825  — Jan.  1,  1826. 


No.  35. 

AMBROSE    SPENCER. 

Date  of  ofUce:     (a)   March  10,  1824-December  31,  1824. 

(b)   January  1,  1825-January  i,  1826. 
Date  of  election:     (a)    March  8,  1824. 

(b)   January  i,   1825. 
Vote:     (a)    11. 

(b)   Unanimous. 
Opponent:     (a)   John  Lansing,  Jr. 

(b)    None. 
Vote:     (a)    10. 

(b)   None. 
Total  vote:     (a)   21. 
(b)   21. 
Date  of  birth:     December  13,  1765. 
Place  of  birth:     Sahsbury,  Conn. 
Parents:     PhiHp  (S.)  and  ^lary  ]\Ioore. 
Education:     Harvard,  1783. 
Married  to:     (a)   Laura  Canfield. 

(b)  (Mrs.)  Mary  Chnton  (Norton). 

(c)  Catherine  Chnton.      ( d.  Aug.  20,  1837.) 
Date:     (a)   Februan'  18,  1784. 

(b)  1808. 

(c)  

Children:     (6)    (a)   John     Canfield,     Abby,     Wilham,     Theodore,. 
Ambrose,  Laura. 

(b)  None. 

(c)  None. 
Residence:     No.  119  Washington  avenue. 
Occupation:     Lawyer. 

Religion:     Episcopahan. 

Date  of  death:     March  13,  1848. 

Place  of  death:     Lyons,  Wayne  county,  N.  Y. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Judge. 

Remarks:     Came     to     Albany     from     Hudson,     1802.      Attorney- 
General,    1802-4.      Judge  of   Supreme   Court,    1804.      Chief 
Justice,  1819-23.     ]\Iember  Constitutional  Convention,  1821. 
Congress,    1829-31.      Most    capable,    honest.      Capitol    and; 
Academy  parks  laid  out,  fenced,  trees  planted. 


35.     AMBROSE  SPENCER. 
I 824- I 826. 
From  a  photograph  by  Clifford  of  an  old  engraving,  owned  in  1904  by  his 
great-granddaughter,  Mrs.  Augustus  H.  Walsh,  of  Albar.v. 


No.  35.  AMBROSE  SPENCER.  449 


1824. 


(Continned    from    No.    34) 
1824. 


Judge  Ambrose  Spencer  is  sworn  into  office  as  Mayor  of  Albany 

at  the  meeting-  of  the  Common  Council,  having  been  elected 

on  May  8th,  by  a  vote  of   11   to   10,   following  Mayor  C.   E. 

•    Dudley,  March  10. 

Supreme  Court  decides  that  the  Fulton  Steamboat  Co.  has  no  right 
to  the  monopoly  of  Hudson  river  passenger  and  freight  traffic 
by  steamboat  because  of  its  original  charter,  given  when  it 
seemed  as  though  it  were  a  matter  of  steam  navigation  and 
one  company  alone. 

Albany  Sovereign  Consistory  and  Albany  Sovereign  Chapter  Rose 
Croix  instituted. 

Legislature  adjourns,  ]\Iarch  12. 

South    ferry   leased    for   one   year  at   $5,890   to   Mr.   Wendell, 

March  30. 

National  Democrat,  Solomon  Southwick  editor,  William  McDougal 
publisher,  ceases ;  but  former  asserts  he  will  later  revive  it, 

April  7. 

Merchants'  Insurance  Company  of  the  City  of  Albany  incorporates,, 
wdth  Charles  E.  Bleecker  president,  April  7. 

Merchants'  Insurance  Co.  organizes,  Thos.  Herring,  president, 

April  12. 

Common  Council  directs  the  chamberlain  to  purchase  1,000  gallons 
of  oil  for  lighting  the  city  at  36  cents  per  gallon  of  T.  &  J. 
Russell,  April  19. 

Common  Council  petitioned  to  erect  a  weighing  house  on  State 
street  between  Green  and  Broadway  (Market  st.)  that  farmers 
may  w^eigh  hay  and  shelter  teams  while  trading  in  town, 

April  19. 

Solomon  Southwick  resumes  publishing  the  National  Democrat  op- 
posite the  Fly  Market,  April  20. 

Lewis  Aspinwall  starts  a  bell  foundry  at  No.  18  Beaver  st., 

April   27. 

The  Circus,  Green  and  Division  streets,  sold  at  auction,       May  3. 

Notice  given  of  consolidation  of  useful  art  societies  that  w'ill  be 
known  as  The  Albany  Institute,  May  3. 

The  Albany  Institute  formed,  with  Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer 
president.  The  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  LTseful  Arts 
having  consolidated  wuth  the  Albany  Lyceum  of  Natural  His- 
tory, the  latter  incorporated  in  1823.  resolved  to  be  known  as 


450  AMBROSE  SPENCER.  No.  35. 

1824. 

The  Albany  Institute,  upon  forming  a  third  department  or 
section  to  cover  History  and  General  Literature,  the  president 
of  each  of  the  three  sections  holding  position  of  vice  president 
of  the  main  organization,  May  5. 

Mrs.  Susan  DeWitt,  wife  of  Surveyor-General  Simeon  DeWitt, 
dies,  May  5. 

Albany  County  Medical  Society  announces  by  resolution  full  con- 
fidence in  vaccination,  for  smallpox,  and  endorses  the  theory. 

May  5. 

Maj.  Elias  Buel,  father  of  Judge  Jesse  Buel  and  a  Revolutionary 
soldier,  aged  87  years,  dies,  May  12. 

Citizens  desiring  a  new  theatre  meet  in  the  ''  green  room  "  of  the 
theatre  on  Green  street  to  subscribe  for  shares,  June  3. 

Fare  to  New  York  reduced  to  $5  by  the  North  River  Steamboat 
Company,  operating  the  Chancellor  Livingston,  Richmond  and 
James  Kent,  June  24. 

Opposition  steamboat  line  starts,  putting  on  the  Olive  Branch,  which 
causes  the  fare  to  drop  to  $2,  until  owners  of  the  other  hue 
secure  an  injunction  to  prevent  the  Olive  Branch  running, 

June  27. 

Chancellor  Sanford  decides  that  the  Olive  Branch  may  not  run  direct 
from  New  York  city  to  any  other  city  as  a  trip ;  but  may  sail 
from  a  port  in  another  state  and  land  at  any  place  in  this  state. 
This  steamboat  then  made  her  start  at  Jersey  City  and  New 
York  became  a  way  landing  on  her  trip  to  Albany,       July  9. 

The  persons  who  desired  a  new  theatre  buy  several  old  buildings  on 
So.  Pearl  street,  west  side  below  Beaver  street,  near  Crosby's 
hotel.  S.  Wilcox  owned  the  property  taken,  which  was  114 
feet  deep  and  had  a  frontage  of  60  feet,  July  15. 

Opposition  steamboat  lines  reduce  fare  to  $2  to  New  York,  July  16. 

Legislature  convenes  for  extra  session  called  by  Gov.  Yates,  Aug.  2. 

John  Spencer,  of  John  Spencer  &  Co.  dies,  aged  44,  and  Erastus 
Corning,  his  partner,  continues  it  alone,  Aug.  13. 

Common  Council  directs  Aldermen  Matthew  Gregory  and  John  H. 
Wendell  to  visit  Gen.  Lafayette  at  New  York  and  invite  him 
to  visit  the  city  as  its  guest,  Aug.  19. 

Steamboat  Chief  Justice  Marshall  launched  at  New  York  to  run 
in  conjunction  with  the  Olive  Branch,  Jersey  City  to  Troy, 

Aug.  21. 

Rev.  John  Bassett,  former  pastor  of  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  aged 

59,  dies  at  Bushwick,  L.  L,  Sept.  3. 

General  Lafayette  arrives  at  Albany  by  steamboat  from  New  York, 
and  is  accorded  a  rousing  welcome  by  new  faces  who  knew  of 


No.  35.  AMBROSE  SPENCER.  45I 

1824. 


his  great  acts  for  the  Americans  during  the  Revolution  as  well 
as  by  those  who  had  seen  him  on  his  passing  through  the  city 
when  he  arrived  Oct.  7,  1784,  on  his  way  from  Fort  Stanwix 
and  setting  out  for  Boston  the  next  day.  Every  expression  of 
gratitude   possible   was   shown,  Sept.    17. 

General  Lafayette  leaves  Albany,  Sept.  18. 

Ex-Mayor  Philip  S.  Van  Rensselaer  dies  at  his  residence,  a  three- 
story  red  brick  double  house  at  the  northeast  corner  of  State  and 
Chapel  streets,  a  foremost  citizen,  given  to  acts  of  benevolence 
and  promotion  of  education  by  every  token,  one  who  had  been 
the  chief  executive  of  the  city  for  more  years  than  any  other 
mayor,  19  years,  and  as  such  had  given  universal  satisfaction, 

Sept.  25. 

Funeral  of  Ex-AIayor  P.  S.  Van  Rensselaer  attended  by  city  officials, 
Common  Council  and  a  vast  concourse  of  friends  and  members 
of  organizations  with  which  he  had  been  connected,       Sept.  28, 

Charter  election  for  alderman  and  assistants  of  the  5  wards,  result- 
ing in  the  success  of  the  entire  Republican  ticket,  Sept.  28. 

Michael  Connoway,  Revolutionary  officer,  dies,  Oct.  7. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  John  Townsend,  Willard 
Walker,  I.  John  Cassidy,  Jeremiah  Waterman,  II.  Gilbert  F. 
Lush,  James  Van  Ingen,  III.  Giles  W.  Porter,  Charles  D. 
Cooper,  IV.  James  Gibbons,  Benjamin  Wilson,  V.  Election, 
Sept.  28;  sworn  in,  Oct.  12. 

Rev.  Issac  Ferris  installed  by  Second  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 

Oct.   27. 

The  first  curbstones  used  in  the  city  introduced  by  John  Maley 
Cuyler,  the  newly  elected  alderman,  starting  along  No.  Market 
St.  (Broadway)  from  Maiden  Lane  to  Mark  Lane  (Exchange 
St.),  October. 

John  Gansevoort  m^.le  police  magistrate  by  Common  Council, 

Oct.  31. 

In  the  election  of  a  governor,  Albany  county  gives  DeWitt  Clinton 
a  majority  of  1,032  over  Samuel  Young ;  in  Albany  city  the  vote 
for  Clinton,   1,195;  for  Young,   563;   Clinton's  majority,  632, 

Nov.  4. 

Rev.  Dr.  Neill,  former  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
made  president  of  Dickinson  College,  Nov.  11. 

Robert  Owen,  from  Lanark,  bound  for  New  Harmony  to  try  in 
America  his  experiment  of  a  social  settlement,  passes  through 
city,  Nov.    17. 

Rev.  Michael  O'Gorman,  lately  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  (R.  C.)  Church, 
dies  in  New  York  city,  Nov.  18. 


452  AMBROSE   SPENCER.  No.  35. 

1824-1825. 

State  electors  meet  at  Capitol  and  balloting  for  president  results : 
John  Quincy  Adams,  26;  Wm.  H.  Crawford,  5  ;  Henry  Clay,  4; 
Andrew  Jackson,  i ;  total,  36;  for  vice-president:  John  C.  Cal- 
houn, 29 ;  Nathan  Sanford.  7. 

Mechanics'  Society  property  at  n.  w.  co'-ner  of  Columbia  and  Chapel 
streets,  offered   for  sale  by  John  Meads,  Dec.   23. 

River  closed    (temporarily)    to  navigation,  Dec.  24. 

Albanians  contribute  $1,200  towards  work  of  New  York  State 
Tract  Society,  which  proves  six  times  what  the  entire  state 
raised,  Dec.  25. 

The  city  desiring  to  pay  its  indebtedness,  the  Common  Council 
decides  by  resolution  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  to  authorize 
a  lottery  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  fund,  Dec.  28. 

The  comptroller  reports  that  Albany  county  real  estate  is  valued  at 
$6,748,072,  and  of  personal   property,   $3,438,962,        Dec,   29. 

Simeon  DeWitt  elected  president  of  the  Lancaster  school,  and 
Principal  William  A.  Tweed  Dale  reports  947  scholars  attend- 
ing, Dec.  30. 

Close  of  term  of  office  of  Ambrose  Spencer  as  ]\Iayor,  Dec.  31. 


1825. 

Judge  Ambrose  Spencer  unanimously  re-elected  Mayor  of  Albany 
at  a  meeting  of  the  Common  Council,  and  he  is  sworn  in  Jan.  i. 

DeWitt  Clinton  inaugurated  Governor  of  New  York,   .  Jan.  i. 

River  closes  a  second  time  in  winter,  Jan.  5. 

Population  of  the  city  stated  as  15,971  at  this  time,  Jan.  i. 

Legislature  applied  to  for  incorporation  of  Albany  Gas  Light  Co., 

Jan.  10. 

John  A.  Lansing,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  76,  dies  at  his  home, 
-^'o-  3.5  So.  Pearl  st.,  at  corner  Hudson  avenue,  Jan.  30. 

Erastus  Corning,  formerly  John  Spencer  &  Co.,  until  death  of  head 
of  firm,  forms  a  partnership  with  John  T.  Norton,  to  conduct  n 
general  hardware  and  iron  business  on  east  side  of  Broadway, 
north  of  State  street,  March  2. 

John  Humphrey  leases  the  Greenbush  ferry  of  the  city  at  yearly 
rental  of  $5,900,  for  term  of  three  years,  March  2. 

River  open  (Government  record),  March  6. 

Steamboat  Richmond  first  to  arrive  from  New  York,  March  7. 

Mrs.  Laura  J.  Gilchrist,  daughter  of  Mayor  Spencer,  aged  22,  dies, 

March  13. 


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No.  35.  AMBROSE  SPENCER.  453 


1825. 


The  DeWitt  Clinton  mammoth  silver  vases,  presented  to  him  by- 
merchants  of  New  York  in  recognition  of  his  snccessful  efforts 
ni  behalf  of  making  the  Erie  canal  a  reality,  exhibited  at  Knick- 
erbocker Hall,  March  21. 

Common  Council  enacts  that  at  public  sales  no  one  shall  ring  a  bell 
or  cry  aloud,  or  be  subject  to  fine  of  five  dollars,  March  21. 

Hudson  River  Line  of  steamboats  established,  putting  on  the  Con- 
stitution, Constellation  and  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  the  Consti- 
tution being  built  by  Brown  &  Bell  of  New  York,  275  tons,  145 
feet  in  length,  27  feet  in  width,  with  42  x  108  inch  engine, 

March. 

The  Theatre  located  on  the  west  side  of  So.  Pearl  street,  south  of 
Beaver  street,  opened  for  inspection,  the  cost  having  been  pro- 
vided by  subscription  among  citizens,  March  26. 

Kline  &  Gott's  large  tobacco  house  in  JMiddle  Lane  (James  street) 
burns  with  a  loss  of  $20,000,  April  4. 

Commercial  Bank  chartered,  with  Joseph  Alexander  its  first  presi- 
dent, April  12. 

Stephen  Lush,  Revolutionary  patriot  and  who  was  a  prisoner  in  the 
Jersey  prison-ship,  a  legislator  and  private  secretary  to  George 
Clinton,  the  first  Governor  of  New  York,  aged  72,  dies  at  his 
residence.  No.  311  No.  Market  street  (Broadway)  deeply 
mourned  by  all,  April  19. 

Legislature  adjourns,  having  passed  328  laws,  April  21. 

Lafayette  changed  from  Sand  street  to  Fayette  street,  April  25. 

Twelve  horses  used  at  one  time  to  propel  the  South  ferry,         April. 

Common  Council  appoints  Messrs.  Cooper,  Stevenson,  Townsend 
and  City  Chamberlain  to  deal  with  Yates  &  Mclntyre  with  the 
view  of  purchasing  their  Albany  City  Lottery  company  for 
$200,000,  May  2. 

The  deputy  excise  officer,  Mr.  Hochstrasser,  reports  licensing  during 
year  past  49  taverns,  209  ordinaries,  53  groceries,  20  victualers 
and  65  cartmen,  yielding  in  fees  for  license  $3,662,  May  5. 

Arguments  advanced  proving  the  advantages  of  a  railroad  if  pro- 
pelled by  steam  power  on  rails  between  Albany  and  Schenec- 
tady, as  Troy  was  becoming  a  serious  business  competitor  and 
Albany  needed  some  new  advantage,  as  set  forth  in  The  Argus, 

May  9. 

Steamboat  Commerce  built  by  C.  Bergh  of  Brooklyn,  371  tons,  130 
feet  in  length,  24  feet  broad  and  engine  16  and  30  x  40  in.,  with 
8  feet  depth  of  hold.  May. 

The  "  Theatre  "  on  west  side  of  So.  Pearl  street,  below  Beaver 
street  (later  Trimble  Opera  House,  then  Leland  Opera  House. 


454  AMBROSE  SPENCER.  No.  35. 

1825. 

afterwards  Proctor's)  opened  for  the  first  time  by  Gilfert  play- 
ing "  Laugh  When  You  Can  "  and  "  Raising  the  Wind,"  acted 
by  Barrett,  Anderson  and  Spillcr,  ]\Irs.  Barrett  and  Mrs.  Stone 
to  a  rapturous  audience,  May  i8. 

Common  Council  orders  Academy  and  Capitol  parks  surrounded  by 
iron  fences  about  9  feet  high,  the  thick  iron  rods  stuck  into  a 
continuous  marble  base  about  one  foot  above  sidewalks.     May. 

The  Pier,  authorized  by  Act  of  April  5,  1823,  completed;  length, 
4,400  feet ;  breadth,  80  feet ;  height,  20  feet ;  basin's  area,  32 
acres;  capacity,  1,000  canal-boats  and  50  larger  vessels,     May. 

Steamboat  Constitution  makes  first  trip,  May  26. 

Philip  AlcCready,  in  the  War  of  1812  under  Maj.  Birdsell,  wounded 
at  Fort  Erie  and  prisoner  of  war,  aged  29  years,  dies,     May  31. 

Commercial  Bank's  stock  books  for  a  subscription  of  $300,000,  hav- 
ing been  open  for  three  days,  show  on  closing  over  $1,500,000 
had  been  subscribed,  which  was  more  than  satisfactory,   June  2. 

Antagonism  to  the  new  Commercial  Bank  engendered  by  those  who 
thought  the  shares  of  stock  subscribed  for  should  have  been 
allotted  to  men  of  moderate  means  in  business  and  at  a  meeting 
held  in  the  "  Old  "  Capitol  to  give  view  to  opinions,  John  S.  \"an 
Rensselaer  gave  his  opinion  that  a  law  should  be  passed  that 
commissioners  in  distributing  stock  should  not  allot  more  than 
25  shares  to  one  individual,  $25  a  share,  and  if  anyone  secured 
50  shares  he  should  be  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  he  favored 
organizing  another  bank,  June  10. 

General  Lafayette  a  third  time  in  Albany,  coming  from  the  west, 

June  II. 

General  Lafayette  attends  church  in  Albany,  June  12. 

General  Lafayette  leaves  for  Boston,  June  13. 

New  stage  line  opened  to  Rochester,  via  Cherry  Valley,  June  14. 

Steamboat  Constitution's  boiler  bursts  when  off  Poughkeepsie,  and 
among  the  many  scalded  three  die,  June  21. 

'■  Safety  barge  "  Lady  Clinton  arrives,  towed  by  Steamboat  Com- 
merce, a  new  method  to  allay  the  fears  of  river  travelers,  the 
Dutch  minister  a  passenger  aboard,  July  i. 

General  Lafayette  comes  to  Albany  for  the  fourth  time,  coming  from 
Vermont  with  the  Governor  of  that  state,  and  escorted  from 
Troy  by  the  military.  He  lodges  at  Crittenden's  Hotel  (later 
called  Congress  Hall)  at  southwest  corner  of  Washington 
avenue  and  Park  Place,  (used  as  the  site  of  approach  to  "  New  " 
Capitol  and  park)  and  at  4  p.  m.  a  dinner  is  given  for  him  in 
the  "  Old  "  Capitol,  Elias  Kane  presiding.  Rev.  John  Chester 
asking  the  blessing.     The  toasts  were  :     Lafayette,  "  Albany  as 


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Xo.  35-  AMJJROSE   SPEXCl'.K.  455 

1825. 

I  have  known  it.  and  Albany  as  it  is  now;"  Daniel  W'eljster. 
"  The  State  of  Xew  York,  the  National  link  between  tiie  East 
and  the  West;"  jndge  Story.  "The  jndiciary  of  New  York. 
its  past  glory  set  in  nnclouded  brightness  ;  may  its  rising  snn 
beam  in  a  clear  sky;"  Recorder  Ebenezer  Ualdwin,  "General 
Lafayette.  When  onr  conntry  numbered  but  three  millions  of 
citizens,  he  imposed  upon  it  a  national  debt,  that  thirteen  mil- 
■  lions  m  vain  attempt  to  discharge."  He  was  the  honored  guest 
and  centre  of  all  eyes  at  the  Theatre  (So.  Pearl  street  below 
Beaver  street)  and  at  midnight  went  aboard  the  steamboat  Boli- 
var for  New  Y'ork,  July  i. 

Rev.  Dr.  John  Chester  delivers  address  at  first  annual  meeting  of 
The  Albany  Institute,  Gen.  Stephen  \  an  Rensselaer  presiding, 
held  ni  Albany  Academy,  July   i. 

Independence  Day  oration  by  Flenry  G.  Wheaton,  Salem  Dutcher. 
reader,  and  a  military  parade,  July  4. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  given  a  public  banquet  at  Detroit, 
Alderman  Rowland's  toast :  "  General  \'"an  Rensselaer,  otir  es- 
teemed guest ;  on  the  banks  of  the  Miami  and  the  Heights  of 
Oueenstown  his  blood  flo\yed  with  no  stinted  tide ;  may  the 
gratitude  of  his  country  flow  as  freely,"  July  12. 

Obadiah  Van  Benthuysen's  wife,  Johannah,  aged  75,  dies,     July  17. 

Pier  lots  sold  at  auction  under  an  elaborate  canopy  topped  by  flags, 
the  cost  of  construction  having  been  $130,000,  the  sale  was  most 
gratifying  as  all  but  the  one  reserved,  numbering  122,  ranging 
from  $1,200  to  $2,625,  brought  $199,410,  July  27. 

New  Steamboat  Saratoga,  built  by  North  River  Co.,  arrives, 

July  2y. 

New  steamboat  Swiftsure.  Captain  Stocking,  arrives  for  first  time, 
towing  the  "  safety  barge  "  Lady  A"an  Rensselaer.  J^i^Y- 

Steamboat  Constellation,  Capt.  Robert  G.  Crittenden,  built  by 
Albanians,  makes  her  first  appearance  at  the  dock,  and  is  greatly 
admired  for  the  elegance  of  her  fittings.  Aug.  7. 

"  The  Albany  Patriot  and  Daily  Commercial  Intelligencer."  being 
the  second  citv  issued  daily,  first  published  b\-  George  Galpin. 

Aug.  8. 

Dr.  Barent  P.  Staats'  wife.  ]\Iaria.  aged  24.  dies.  •      Aug.  16. 

Steamboat  Constitution,  Captain  Bartholomew,  built  by  Brown  & 
Bell  of  New  York  city,  275  tons,  145  feet  long,  27  feet  broad. 
42  X  108  in.  engine,  makes  her  first  appearance  since  explosion 
in  June,  Aug.  16. 

The  Shakers  at  Niskayuna  at  this  time  number  265  souls,  being  112 
males  and  153  females,  of  whom  4  are  heads  of  the  families.  74 


456  AMBROSE  SPENCER.  No.  35. 

1825. 

entitled  to  vote,   13  aliens,  3  colored  race,  and  their  property 

consists  of  899  acres  of  improved  land,  22  horses,  475  sheep ; 

their  produce  consisting  among  other  things  of  1,450  yards  of 

fulled  cloth,  1,945  yards  of  flannel  and  4,464  yards  of  linen  and 

cotton  made  during  past  year,  as  shown  by  returns  of  census 

marshal,  Aug.  16. 

Award  made  for  building  a  new  alms-house  to  Fassett  &  Halen- 

bake  for  $9,875,  Aug.  22. 

i\Iajor  Edward  Cumpston,  a  Revolutionary  soldier  who  had  been 

directed  by  Lafayette  to  execute  the  duties  of  adjutant-general 

and  a   former  Albanian,   burial   with  military  honors,   dies   at 

Auburn,  ^2,  Aug.  22. 

Steamboat  New   London  commences   running   to   New   York,   and 

because  of  the  horror  of  iron  boilers,  hers  were  said  to  be  of 

copper,  Aug.  26. 

Dr.  Samuel  Dexter,  aged  69,  dies  at  his  residence,  57  State  street, 

Aug.  29. 

Prison   Discipline   Society  organized   at   Knickerbocker   Hall,   with 

Samuel  M.  Hopkins  its  first  president,  Sept.  3. 

John  Gates,  who  accompanied  Arnold  through  the   wilderness  to 

Quebec,  and  also  a  fighter  at  Saratoga,  aged  74,  dies,      Sept.  9. 

Meeting  held  at  "  Old  "  Capitol  to  prepare  for  celebration  of  the 

opening  of  the  Erie  canal,  Col.  Elisha  Jenkins  presiding, 

Sept.  14. 
Steamboats  running  to  New  v^rl<  at  this  time :  Bristol,  Capt. 
Young;  Chancellor  Livingston,  Capt.  Lockwood ;  Chief  Justice 
Marshall,  Capt.  Sherman ;  Constellation.  Capt.  Crittenden ;  Con- 
stitution, Capt.  Ricketson ;  Henry  Eckford,  Capt.  Drake ;  Hud- 
son, Capt.  Brooks  ;  James  Kent,  Capt.  T.  Wiswall ;  Olive  Branch, 
Capt.  ]\Ioore ;  Richmond,  Capt.  Cochrane :  William  Penn,  Capt. 
Fountain,  Sept.  17. 

Charter  election  for  aldermen  and  assistants  of  the  5  wards, 

Sept.  27. 

Masonic  pageant  of  unusual  brilliance  in  honor  of  the  installation  of 

Stephen  A^an  Rensselaer  as  Grand  ^Master  to  succeed  DeWitt 

Clinton,  Sept.  29. 

Charter  election,  Common   Council :     John  Townsend,  Isaac  Den- 

niston,  L    John  Cassidy,  Jacob  J.  Lansing,  H.    Gilbert  F.  Lush, 

Herman  V.  Plart,  HL     Charles  D.  Cooper,  Welcome  Esleeck, 

IV.     James  Gibbons,  Francis  I.  Bradt,  V.     Election,  Sept.  2^] ; 

sworn  in,  Oct.  11. 

Common  Council  names  Aldermen  Denniston,  Cassidy,  Esleeck,  Cos- 

tigan  and  Lush  to  prepare  celebration  for  opening  of  the  Erie 

canal,  Oct.  17. 


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Xo.  35-  AM  i'.-R()SE   SPENCER.  45) 

1825. 


Gov.  De  Witt  Clinton  issues  a  proclamation,  believed  to  be  the  first 
of  its  kind,  to  observe  a  dav  of  public  thanksgiving'.  Oct.  i8. 

:\!bany  Argus  begins  to  puljlish  daily,  Oct.   i8. 

Erie  canal  completed  from  Lake  Erie  to  the  Hudson  river,  entire 
route,  and  the  first  canal-boat  to  essay  the  journey,  lake  to  river, 
the  Seneca  Chief,  leaves  Buffalo.  Oct.  26. 

First  canal-boat  to  go  west,  "  Benjamin  Wright,"  arrives  at  Buffalo, 

Oct.  29. 

Erie  canal's  first  boat.  Seneca  Chief,  arrives  at  Albany,  with  the 
governor,  lieutenant-governor.  Mayor  Spencer  and  other  dig- 
nitaries aboard.  It  was  acclaimed  all  along  the  route,  and  in 
the  morning  as  it  approached  Albany  its  coming  was  made 
known  some  time  before  by  the  booming  of  cannon.  At  to  157 
it  passed  through  the  first  lock  into  the  Albany  basin,  which  was 
as  a  bay  of  the  river.  Immediately  a  series  of  cannon  reaching 
from  Albany  to  New  York  took  up  the  message,  and  at  1 1  :5^ 
the  return  of  the  announcement  was  fired  at  this  city.  At  11 
a.  m.  the  local  celebration  began  with  a  procession  of  maiumoth 
proportions,  the  city  gaily  decorated  throughout,  Francis  I. 
Bradt,  marshal.  On  its  reaching  the  capitol  special  services 
were  held,  consisting  of  an  ode  written  by  John  Augustus  Stone, 
sung,  and  addresses  by  Philip  Hone  of  New  York.  William 
James,  chairman  of  the  Citizens'  committee,  and  Lieut. -Gov. 
Tallmadge.  After  these  exercises  a  collation  was  served  at  the 
Columbia  street  bridge  to  the  Pier,  elaborately  decorated,  and 
at  night  a  grand  ball  at  Knickerbocker  Hall,  at  which  all  the 
fashion  and  wealth  of  the  citv  and  from  around  about  were 
gathered,  Nov.  2. 

Miss  Kelly,  looked  upon  as  the  greatest  stellar  attraction  in  theatri- 
cal lines  at  this  time,  appears  in  "  The  Belle's  Stratagem,"  as 
"  Letitia  Hardy."  at  The  Theatre,  Nov.  7. 

John  Gansevoort  resigns  as  police  magistrate  and  John  O.  Cole 
imanimously  elected  to  succeed  him,  Nov.   14. 

St.  Peter's  Church  lottery  drawing  takes  place,  Nov.  17. 

Canal  frozen  for  the  first  time,  Nov.  18. 

Col.  Peter  Schuyler,  nephew  of  Gen.  I'hilip  Schuyler,  who  entered 
the  army  at  age  of  18  as  ensign  and  distinguished  himself  under 
Wayne,  dies  at  Natchez,  whither  he  had  removed  and  became 
Mississippi's  state  treasurer,  aged  48,  Nov.  20. 

Announcement  made  to  the  public  at  tlie  next  session  of  the  Legisla- 
ture ap])lication  would  be  made  for  right  to  construct  a  rail  line 
to  be  operated  by  steam  to  Schenectady  from  this  city,  or  else 
to  Trov,  if  deemed  advisable.  Nov.  22. 


458  AMBROSE  SPENCER.  No.  35. 

1825. 

Circus  Building  being  erected  on  site  of  the  old  brewery  on  No. 
Pearl  street  by  a  Mr.  Parsons,  building  66  x  iii  feet,     Nov.  30. 

John  A^ernor,  deputy  commissary  of  military  stores  during  the  Revo- 
lution, aged  80,  dies  at  his  home  on  No.  Market  street  (Broad- 
way), opposite  the  state  arsenal.  Dec.   i. 

Kean,  the  great  tragedian,  first  appears  here,  acting  "  Richard  III  " 
before  a  large  refined  audience,  Dec.  5. 

John  T.  Norton  elected  president  of  the  Fire  department,     Dec.  12. 

Census  returns  show  population  of  city  15,971  and  of  the  entire 
county  42,821,  Dec.  15. 

Rev.  Hooper  Cumming,  former  pastor  of  Third  Presbyterian 
Church,  dies  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  whither  he  had  gone  for  his 
health,  Dec.  18. 

River  closed  (Government  record),  Dec.  23. 

Expiration  of  the  term  of  Judge  Ambrose  Spencer  as  Mayor, 

Dec.  31. 
•         •         • 

(See  No.  36.) 


No.  36. 


Jan.  2,  1826  — Dec.  31,  1826, 
Jan.  1.  1827—  May  23,  1828. 


No.  36. 

JAMES    STEVENSON. 

Date  of  office:     (a)   January  2,  1826-December  31,  1826. 

(b)   January  i,  1827-May  23.  1828  (resigned). 
Pate  of  election:     (a)   January  2,  1826. 

(b)   January   i,   1827.  J 

Political  party:     Whig.  ' 

Vote:     (a)   Unanimous, 
(b)   Unanimous. 
Opponent:     (a)    None, 
(b)   None. 
Vote:     (a)   None. 
(b)   None. 
Total  vote:     (  a  )    20. 
(b)    18. 
Date  of  birth:     November  25.  1788. 
Place  of  birth:     Albany. 
Parents:     John  (S.)  and  ]\IagdeHne  Douw. 
Edncation:     Graduate  Williams,  1807:  Yale. 
Residence:     No.  146  State  street. 
Occupation:     Lawyer. 
Religion:     Episcopalian. 
Date  of  death:     July  3,  1852. 
Place  of  death:     No.  146  State  street. 
Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 
Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Resigned  office  ]\Iay  2^,  1828.  Warden  of  St.  Peter's 
Church,  1832-42.  Trustee  of  Albany  Boys'  Academy.  One 
of  the  first  governors  of  Albany  City  Hospital.  Wealthy, 
zealous  in  public  affairs,  a  polished  gentleman. 


36.     JAMES  STEVENSON. 
I 826- I 828. 
From  a  photograph  made  from  life,  owned  in  1904  by  his  grand-niece,  Mrs. 
Augustus  H.  Walsh,  of  Albany. 


1 


No.  36.  JAMES    STEVENSON.  461 

1826. 

(Continued  from  Xo.  35.) 
1826. 


Mayor  Ambrose  Spencer  having  declined  a  re-election,  the  Common 
Council  at  a  meeting  this  day  elects  James  Stevenson  Mayor, 

Jan.  2. 

Albany  Insurance  Co.  elects  Isaiah  Townsend  president,         Jan.  2. 

MerchaJits'  Insurance  Co.  elects  Charles  E.  Dudley  president, 

Jan.  2. 

Edwin  Forrest,  one  of  the  greatest  actors  America  ever  produced 
(born  at  Philadelphia,  March  9,  1806),  who  had  made  his  debut 
upon  the  stage  in  1820  in  "  Douglas,"  (died  there  Dec.  12, 
1872),  appears  in  Albany  for  the  first  time  at  The  Theatre  in 
"  Timour  the  Tartar,"  Jan.  9. 

River  opens  temporarily  to  navigation,  Jan.  11. 

Office  of  street  inspector  created  to  have  charge  instead  of  Mayor. 

Nathan  Sanford  resigns  as  Chancellor  and  is  elected  by  the  Legis- 
lature a  U.  S.  Senator  for  six  years,  Jan.  14. 

Gerrit  L.  Dox  and  others  propose  to  the  Legislature  to  form  a  com- 
pany with  capital  of  $250,000  to  deepen  the  west  shore  channel 
from  the  island  south  of  the  city  southward,  satisfied  that  exca- 
vations have  proved  futile.  This  was  the  beginning  of  an  im- 
provement that  endured  a  century,  the  suggestion  resulting  in 
the  elaborate  stone  embankiuents  some  years  later,  Jan.  26. 

Judge  Conkling,  father  of  U.  S.  Senator  Roscoe  Conkling,  com- 
mences his  first  term  as  the  presiding  judge  of  the  United  States 
Court  for  this  district,  located  at  the  Capitol,  Jan.  31. 

Thermometer  12  degrees  below  zero,  Feb.  i. 

Cooper,  great  tragedian,  makes  first  appearance  here,  "  Macbeth," 

Feb.  2. 

Dirck  L.  Vanderheyden,  master  in  chancery  and  former  clerk  of  the 
Assembly,  aged  yj,  dies,  Feb.  8. 

James  Gibbons,  long  time  alderman  of  5th  Ward,  honored  for  the 
humanity  and  honesty  he  ever  displayed,  dies,  Feb.  8. 

The  Circus,  a  building  for  all  sorts  of  entertainment.  No.  Pearl 
street,  north  of  Columbia  street,  opened  by  its  owner.  Powers, 
with  an  equestrian  troupe.  Burton,  Gates  and  West,  famous  at 
this  time,  followed  by  comedy  acts,  Feb.  14. 

Grand  jury  raises  a  purse  of  $19.50  for  the  benefit  of  debtors  they 
found  confined  in  the  jail,  Feb.  18. 

River  open  to  navigation.  Feb.  26. 


462  JAMES   STEVExNTSON.  No.  36. 


1826. 


Ebenezer  Baldwin  having  resigned  as  City  Recorder,  James 
]\IcKown  is  appointed  to  the  position,  Alarch  3. 

John  X.  Quackenbush,  a  prominent  citizen,  elected  alderman  of  the 
5th  ward,  in  place  of  James  Gibbons,  deceased,  March  7. 

Common  Council  orders  the  bell  of  the  South  Dutch  Church,  south 
side  of  Beaver  street,  west  of  Green,  to  be  rung  at  noon  and  8 
p.  m.,  March  8. 

Bill  before  the  Assembly  to  permit  construction  of  a  railroad  to  be 
operated  by  steam  power  between  Albany  and  Schenectady,  to 
be  known  as  the  ^lohawk  &  Hudson  railroad,  is  discussed  vigor- 
ously, Mr.  Lush  arguing  to  change  that  part  which  allowed  the 
eastern  terminal  to  be  at  any  point  along  the  river  within  three 
miles  north  or  south  of  the  city,  he  being  the  Albany  member 
and  fearing  that  if  located  away  from  the  city  speculators  might 
secure  the  land  and  erect  a  city  to  rival  Albany.  Mr.  Hofifman 
asserted  he  did  not  see  why  the  interests  of  Albany  were  para- 
mount to  those  of  the  state,  and  he  hoped  nothing  would  prevent 
the  experiment  in  America,  at  so  advantageous  a  locality,  of 
making  a  road  run  by  steam  power.    The  Lush  amendment  lost, 

March  10. 

The  large  windmill  operated  by  Mr.  Harris,  on  the  hill  just  south  of 
the  capitol,  burned,  March  12. 

Another  discussion  over  the  eastern  terminal  of  the  proposed  steam 
road,  and  G.  W.  Featherstonhaugh  writes  to  Mayor  Stevenson 
to  use  his  influence  in  aiding  passage  of  the  incorporating  act, 
citing  that  it  requires  a  day  to  convey  goods  to  Schenectady, 
whereas  Ijy  a  steam  train  it  is  promised  to  make  the  trip  in 
three  hours,  setting  forth:  "  In  truth,  this  is  an  experiment  to 
test  the  fact  whether  this  economical  mode  of  transportation  will 
succeed  in  this  country.""  March  13. 

Conway,  tragedian,  makes  first  appearance  here,  in  "  Hamlet," 

March  17. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad  incorporated  by  the  Legislature ;  capital 
$300,000,  provided  it  is  constructed  within  six  years,  the  incor- 
poration to  endure  fifty  years,  March  27. 

Hope  Lodge,  No.  2,  L  O.  O.  F.,  instituted,  April  24. 

Tragedian  Forrest  given  a  benefit  at  The  Theatre,  Hyatt  playing 
"  Richard  HI  "  and  Forrest  "  Buckingham,"'  later  events  in 
their  lives  proving  the  absurdity  of  Forrest  receiving  a  benefit 
by  Hyatt,  April  28. 

Joseph  Henry  enters  the  employ  of  the  Albany  Academy,  as  pro- 
fessor of  mathematics,  taking  the  place  of  Michael  O'Shaugh- 
nessy,  April  28. 


No.  36.  JAMES   STEVENSON.  463 

1826. 


Application  made  to  constitute  Albany  a  port  of  entry,  brought  about 
by  the  government  collector  at  New  York.  Jonathan  Thompson, 
holding  the  Enterprise,  a  schooner  with  cargo  for  Albany,  de- 
siring to  remove  the  cargo  for  weighing.  May  2. 

Common  Council  meets  to  elect  a  city  clerk  according  to  the  new 

law,  the  clerk  formerly  acting  also  for  the  county,  and  Lawrence 

L.  Van  Kleek  receives  8  votes,  as  incumbent  of  the  dual  position, 

■  and  Paul  Hochstrasser  8 ;  but  Mayor  Stevenson  casts  a  vote  for 

the  former  and  he  is  declared  elected.  May  8. 

Steamboat  Sun,  Capt.  H.  Drake,  advertises  to  make  the  trip  to  New- 
York  by  daylight,  and  so  starts  at  6  a.  m..  May  12. 

Yates  &  iVIcIntyre  agree  to  manage  the  Albany  Lottery  and  pay  the 
city  for  five  years  $48,151;  annually,  amounting  to  $240,795, 
while  the  valuation  of  city  property  forming  the  basis  of  the 
lottery  was  $254,395.  the  plan  being  to  pay  ofif  the  city  debt  of 
$250,000  by  the  lottery,  and  both  parties  agreed.  May  15. 

Commercial  Bank  organized.  May  23. 

Cf~>mmon  Council  receives  petition  to  continue  Lodge  street  north- 
ward through  Steuben  street,  May  29. 

Common  Council  decrees  that  for  everv  loaf  not  stamped  with 
baker's  initials  and  the  weight  he  shall  be  fined  25  cents. 

Steamboat  Sun  arrives  from  New  York  in  12  hours,  13  minutes, 
mcluding  13  landings,  and  people  marvel  at  the  great  speed, 

June  6. 

Common  Council  avithorizes  First  Presbyterian  Church  to  stretch 
chains  across  So.  Pearl  street  and  Store  Lane  during  the  Sab- 
bath, June  12. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad  stock  subscription  books  opened,  and 
eagerly  subscribed  by  citizens,  June  26. 

State  Street  House,  south  side  of  State  street  and  three  doors  east 
of  So.  Pearl  st.,  opened  by  a  French  copperplate  engraver 
named  Louis  Lemet,  who  tastily  furnished  the  place,      June  26. 

Common  Council  applied  to  bv  trustees  of  African  Baptist  Church 
who  desired  a  permit  to  raise  funds,  but  matter  laid  on  table 
because  of  a  desire  to  investigate  as  the  last  time  this  was  al- 
lowed the  same  trustees  spent  the  funds  raised  on  hot  suppers, 

June  26. 

Mayor  lays  before  the  Common  Council  draft  of  law  creating  the 
ofifice  of  street  inspector,  June  26. 

Semi-Centennial  anniversary  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
observed  bv  an  unusuallv  large  parade,  which  passed  to  the 
"old"  Capitol,  where  Richard  \'arick  DeWitt  read  that  docu- 
•"7-ent  and  T.  Atwood  Bridgen  delivered  the  oration,  whereupon 


464  JAMES   STEVENSON.  No.  36. 

1826. 

all  the  militia  companies  were  invited  to  drink  of  "  Corporation 
Punch,"  and  banquets  at  several  of  the  inns  and  taverns, 

July  4- 

News  of  the  deaths  of  ex-President  John  Adams  (b.  at  Quincy, 
Mass.,  on  Oct.  30,  1735,  and  President  in  1796)  at  Ouincy, 
Mass.,  and  of  ex-President  Tliomas  Jefferson  (b.  at  Shadwell, 
Va.,  on  April  2,  1743,  and  the  3rd  President,  1801-1809)  at 
Monticello,  Va.,  both  on  the  same  day,  July  4th,  received  in 
Albany  by  steamboats  Sun  and  Kent,  July  9. 

A  novelty  on  the  canal,  the  sloop  St.  Clair  from  Mackinac  for  New 
York,  with  masts  unshipped,  arrives  in  tow  of  a  steamboat, 

July  21. 

National  Observer  first  published  by  Solomon  Southwick,       July  25. 

Proposition  before  Common  Council  to  cut  Eagle  street  through 
from  Lancaster  street  to  Lydius  street  (Madison  ave.)  July  25. 

Steamboat  Sandusky  makes  her  first  appearance,  July  30. 

Albanians  pay  tribute  to  memory  ci  ex-Presidents  John  Adams  and 
Thomas  Jefferson,  who  died  on  July  4th,  uniting  in  the  largest 
procession  ever  undertaken  here,  formed  at  the  "  Old  "  Capitol 
and  marching  to  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  where  Judge 
Duer  delivers  a  eulogy,  July  31. 

Daily  Chronicle  first  published  by  Chas.  Galpin  and  M.  M.  Cole, 

August  2, 

The  Cohoes  Company  to  supply  water  to  factories,  running  by  small 
canal  cut  in  slate  rock  from  the  Alohawk  above  Falls,  organ- 
ized, August, 

Common  Council  decides  that  finances  will  not  permit  pui  chase  of 
clock  to  be  placed  in  South  Dutch  Church  west  side  Beaver  St., 

August  21. 

Joseph  Henry  delivers  a  public  address  upon  beginning  his  duties 
as  the  professor  of  mathematics  at  the  Albany  Academy, 

Sept.  II. 

Waterworks  Company  seeking  a  supply  for  city  by  boring  at  junc- 
tion of  the  Schenectady  and  Cherry  A-'alley  turnpikes,     Sept.  15. 

Alms-house,  costmg  $14,000,  completed  and  open  to  inspection, 
Irienry  W.  Snyder  the  architect,  123  occupants,  Sept.  2C. 

Charter  election  for  aldernien  and  assistants  of  the  5  wards, 

Sept.  26. 

Brewers  Boyd  &  McCulloch,  So.  Ferry  street  having  bored  294 
feet  for  water  without  success  strike  supply  of  sulphuretted 
hydrogen,  Sep.  28. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  John  Townsend,  Isaac  Den- 
niston,  I.     John  Cassidv,  Daniel  McGlashan,  II.     Richard  S. 


HENRY'S  ALBANY  HOME. 

Prof.  Joseph  Henry  became  teacher  of  the  natural  sciences  at  the  Albany  Academy 
on  Sept.  ir,  1826,  and  resided  at  No.  105  Columbia  st.  (Middle  one  in  Picture.) 
It  was  taken  down  in  i8q8. 


No.  36.  JAMES   STEVENSON.  465 

1826-1827. 

Treat,  Andrew  Kirk,  III.     Welcome  Esleeck,  Moses  Kenyon, 

IV.    John  N.  Ouackenbush,  John  L.  Winne,  V.    Election,  Sept. 

26;  sworn  in,  Oct.  lo. 

Common  Council  petitioned  by  Hugh  Robinson  and  others  to  change 

the  name  of  Dock  to  Dean  street,  Oct.  30. 

Law  passed  changing  Dock  street  to  Dean  street  in  honor  of  Capt. 

Stewart  Dean,  famous  deceased  navigator  to  foreign  ports, 

Nov.  6. 
Common   Council   considers   raising  the  vast  area  of  low   groimd 

between  So.  Pearl  street  and  the  river,  south  of  So.  Ferry  St.. 

Nov.  II. 
Common  Council  decides  to  pave  Howard,  Eagle  to  Lodge  street, 

Dec.  II. 
Common  Council  determines  by  resolution  that  plat  of  ground  known 

as   Delaware   Square,   on   expiration   of  term  of  occupant,   be 

hereafter  a  public  square  of  the  city,  Dec.   18. 

Common  Council  decides  to  appoint  a  forester  and  names  Jeremiah 

Cutler,  with  salary  of  $25  monthly,  Dec.  18. 

River  closed  (Government  record)  to  navigation,  Dec.  24. 

Canal  report  for  the  season  shows   12,856  boats  had  arrived  and 

departed,  tolls  collected  amounting  to  $120,354.12,  Dec.  30. 

End  of  the  term  of  Mayor  James  Stevenson,  Dec.  31. 


1827. 

James  Stevenson  unanimously  re-elected  Mayor  of  Albany  by  the 
Common  Council,  casting"  18  votes,  Jan.  i. 

DeWitt  Clinton  inaugurated  Governor  of  New  York,  Nathaniel 
Pitcher  as  Lieut.-Governor,  for  two  years,  Jan.   i. 

Unusually  cold  month,  thermometer  18  degrees  below  zero,   Jan.  21. 

Meeting  in  Knickerbocker  Hall  to  organize  the  Athenaeum,  an  im- 
portant literary  establishment.  Chandler  Starr,  chairman,  160 
enrolling  and  paying  $1.25  each,  Jan.  20. 

William  IMascraft  appointed  city  superintendent,  Philip  Hooker 
having  declined,  Jan.  22. 

Law  passed  to  pave  No.  Pearl  State  to  Columbia  street,         Feb.  12. 

Butchers  of  Albany  contribute  53  barrels  of  beef  for  Greeks,  Feb.  15. 

Philip  P.  Van  Rensselaer,  aged  4-1-,  dies  at  Cherry  Hill  residence, 
just  south  of  the  city  line,  Feb.  17. 

City  purchases  trom  Dutch  Church  land  adjoining  the  Watering 
Place  at  Steamboat  Square,  providing  that  a  space  45  feet  broad 
be  kept  open  from  Broadway  to  river  to  allow  cattle  to  water, 

Feb.  19. 


466  JAMES   STEVENSON.  No.  36. 


1827. 


Literary  Department  of  Albany  Athenaeum  opened  with  Paul  Hoch- 
strasser  acting  as  librarian,  Feb.  20. 

Gen.  Philip  Schuyler's  will  (made  June  20,  1803,  and  died  Albany 
Nov.  18,  1804)  admitted  to  probate,  March  2. 

Common  Council  condemns  project  to  pave  a  road  from  Albany  to 
Gibbonsville   (West  Troy,  later  Watervliet)   with  macadam, 

^larch  6. 

Common  Council  decides  in  favor  of  selling  land  along  the  river 
south  of  the  South  Ferry  as  much  of  it  is  under  water  at  times 
of  high  tides  or  freshets,  March  12. 

Dr.  Flias  Willard,  aged  71,  (b.  Harvard,  Mass.,  Jan.  1756)  a  sur- 
geon during  the  Revolution,  first  at  hospitals  of  Boston  and  then 
at  White   Plains,   German   Flats  and   Ticonderoga,   dies, 

March  20. 

River  closed  (Government  record)  to  navigation,  March  20. 

John  V.  Henry  and  James  McKown  dissolve  law  partnership,  the 
former  taking  Peter  Seton  Henry  as  a  partner,  March  30. 

Steamboat  Sun  put  on  by  the  Hudson  River  Line,  Captain  Living- 
ston, April  II. 

Charles  Gould,  son  of  late  Thos.  Gould,  25,  dies  in  New  York, 

April  13. 

Steamboat  Albany,  put  on  about  this  time,  in  trying  to  "  go  through 
by  daylight  "  breaks  down  about  her  piston-rod ;  built  by  J. 
X'aughn  of  Philadelphia;  298  tons,  212  ft.  long,  26  ft.  broad, 
9  ft.  deep,  65  X  108  in.  engine,  April  19. 

John  -\Ieads  forms  partnership  with  William  Alvord  in  cabinet- 
making  and  they  receive  recognition  at  fairs  for  excellence, 

May  I. 

John  Whipple  fatally  shot  at  10  o'clock  at  night  while  at  his  home 
in  Cherry  Hill,  just  south  of  city  line,  by  Jesse  Strang,  the 
former  seated  within  and  writing,  the  latter  outside  the  window. 
At  the  time  he  was  executing  a  large  contract  on  the  Delaware 
&  Hudson  canal  and  was  a  most  estimable  citizen.  May  7. 

Albany  Christian  Register  begins  publication  by  L.  G.  Hoffman, 
and  the  Antidote  by  Solomon  Southwick,  Webster  &  Wood, 
printers.  May. 

Steamboat  Victory  built  by  Kenyon  tS:  Hand  of  this  city,  launched 
at  the  South  Ferry  where  she  had  been  constructed,  the  interior 
woodwork  superior  to  anything  seen  executed  by  John  Meads, 
engine  by  Birbeck  &  Co.  of  New  York,  Capt.  Sanford  Cobb, 

May  19. 

The  Standard,  a  weekly,  first  published  by  Matthew  Cole,      May  22. 


No.  3^.  JAMES    STEVENSON.  467 


1827. 


Common  Council,  following  the  example  of  the  citizens,  holds  a 
meeting  to  consider  establishing  a  market  at  the  Watering 
Place,  or  Steamboat  Square,  with  strong  arguments  on  both 
sides.  May  28. 

Albany  Exchange  Association  organized,  May  30. 

Common  Council  having  decided  on  securing  a  ferry  to  be  operated 
by  steam,  as  urged  by  John  Townsend  at  its  last  meeting,  Alder- 
man Gibbons  moves  to  reconsider  and  tries  to  prove  that  pro- 
pulsion by  a  horse  working  a  treadle  is  more  economical  than 
steam  w^as  likely  to  prove.  Mr.  Townsend's  proposition  was 
sustained,  June  6. 

John  L.  Winne  proposes  to  Common  Council  that  Independence 
Day  be  kept  with  a  religious  spirit  and  that  parades  be  aband- 
oned, June  6. 

St.  Peter's  Church  vestry  advertises  for  sale  the  lots  bounded  by 
Eagle,  Maiden  Lane  and  Pine  street,  site  of  City  Hall,  June  19. 

Steamboat  Independence  makes  her  first  appearance  and  is  admired 
for  her  superior  elegance ;  Hudson  River  Line,  Captain  Wm. 
J.  Wiswall,  June  25. 

Those  of  African  descent  at  Albany  celebrate  emancipation  befitting 
the  event,  the  law  becoming  operative  in  New  York  state  that 
■was  enacted  on  March  17,  1817,  bargaining  that  every  negro, 
mulatto  or  mustee  in  the  state,  born  before  July  4,  1799,  should 
be  free  from  and  after  July  4,   1827,  July  4. 

Steamboat  North  America  arrives  for  the  first  time ;  built  by  William 
Capes,  New  York  city  (Munsell's  Annals,  Vol.  IX,  p.  157  gives 
Stevens)  497  tons,  218  feet  long,  30  feet  broad  and  8  feet  depth, 
(2)  30x72  in.  engine,  (Munsell  175  feet  long),  Capt.  Cochran, 

July  23. 

Trial  of  Jesse  Strang  for  the  killing  of  John  Whipple  at  his  Cherry 
Hill  home  (south  of  city  line)  on  May  7th,  begun  at  a  special 
term  of  the  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  held  at  the  "  Old  " 
Capitol  before  Judge  Duer,  the  commission  consisting  of  Judge 
William  A.  Duer,  Mayor  Stevenson,  Recorder  James  McKown 
and  Aldermen  Richard  S.  Treat  and  Welcome  Esleeck.  The 
room  is  thronged.  The  murdered  man's  widow,  Elsie  D. 
Whipple,  is  also  arraigned  as  an  accomplice,  it  being  thought 
that  she  had  an  attachment  for  Strang.  Counsel  for  Strang, 
Calvin  Pepper  and  J.  T.  Oakley ;  Edward  Livingston,  district- 
attorney  assisted  by  S.  A.  Foote,  July  25. 

Jury  finds  Jesse  Strang  guilty  of  the  murder  of  John  Whipple  on 
May  7th,  after  deliberating  but  a  few  minutes,  July  27. 

Tames  Caldwell's  wife,  Elizabeth,  aged  y^,  dies  July  29. 


468  JAMES   STEVENSON.  No.  36. 

1827. 

Airs.  John  Whipple,  wife  of  the  murdered  man,  placed  on  trial  as  an 
accomplice  of  Jesse  Strang  who  was  pronounced  guilty  on  27th ; 
defended  by  Abraham  \"an  Vechten.  Elisha  Williams  and  Azor 
Taber,  July  30. 

Mrs.  John  Whipple  found  not  guilty  of  being  accomplice  in  murder 
of  her  husband  on  May  7th,  jury  not  leaving  their  seats,  al- 
though the  universal  opinion  at  the  time  happened  to  be  that 
she  was  connected  with  the  fatal  shooting,  Aug.  3. 

Judge  Duer  sentences  Jesse  Strang  to  be  hanged,  Aug.  4. 

Steamboats  Ohio  and  DeWitt  Clinton  put  on  during  summer. 

The  Comet  first  published  at  office  of  Daniel  McGlashan.       Aug.  4. 

Steamboat  Victory,  built  at  the  South  Ferry  docks  by  Moses  Kenyon 
&  Hand,  143  feet  long,  25  feet  broad,  9  feet  deep,  310  tons, 
Capt.  Sanford  Cobb,  the  first  boat  furnished  with  piano,  makes 
her  first  trip,  regarded  as  the  finest  steamboat  afloat,      Aug.  18. 

John  Robinson,  foremost  merchant  for  years,  with  business  at  n.  w. 
corner  Broadway  and  State  St.,  dies  at  his  residence,  No.  34 
Dean  St.,  aged  88  years,  Aug.  24. 

Hanging  of  Jesse  Strang  who  murdered  John  Whipple  at  his  Cherry 
Hill  home  on  May  7th.  draws  immense  crowds  to  see  the  execu- 
tion which  takes  place  according  to  the  custom  in  the  open, 
the  gallows  being  built  in  the  Hudson  street  (avenue)  ravine 
not  far  above  Eagle  street.  Rev.  Wm.  B.  Lacey  of  St.  Peter's 
Church  prayed  with  him  on  the  scafifold  and  the  rope  drop  cut 
by  Sheriff  Conrad  A.  Ten  Eyck.  Crowds  came  to  town  at  sun- 
rise, no  less  than  1,100  vehicles  coming  from  the  north  were 
counted,  and  about  as  many  from  other  directions.  It  was  the 
last  public  execution  in  the  city,  Aug.  24. 

Steamboat  Emerald,  Capt.   R.   G.   Livingston,  commences  running. 

Aug.  24. 

Steamboat  Independence  lowers  record  from  New  York;  ii  hours, 

Sept.  5. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  lohn  Townsend.  Isaac  Den- 
niston.  I.  John  Cassidy,  Daniel  McGlashan,  II.  Richard  S. 
Treat,  Andrew  Kirk,  III.  Welcome  Esleeck.  Moses  Kenyon. 
IV.  John  L.  Winne,  John  N.  Ouackenbush,  V.  Election, 
Sept.  25  ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  0. 

G.  V.  S.  Bleecker's  wife.  Margaret,  aged  38,  dies,  Oct.  10. 

The  27th  Regiment  (later  the  7th  Regiment  of  New  York  city) 
encamps  for  one  week  at  Bull's  Head  Tavern  on  Troy  Road. 

Philanthropic  Lodge,  No.  5,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  instituted,  Nov.  7. 

John  Knickerbocker,  aged  76,  dies  at  Schagticoke.  and  on  same  date 
one  year  previous,  same  hour  and  moment,  his    wife  died, 

Nov.  .10. 


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No.  36.  JAMES   STEVENSON.  469 

1827-1828. 

St.  Paul's  Church  on  So.  Ferry  st.,  organized,  Nov.  12. 

John  T.  Norton,  Jared  L.  Rathbone,  Edward  C.  Delavan,  Rufus  H. 
King,  Chandler  Starr,  James  Goold  and  others  announce  inten- 
tion of  applying  to  next  Legislature  to  incorporate  the  Canal 
Bank,  capitalizing  at  $500,000,  Nov.  21. 

River  closes  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Nov.  25. 

St.  Mary's  (R.  C.)  Church  trustees  petition  the  Common  Council 
for  an  additional  plat  of  land,  adjoining  present  edifice,  intend- 
ing to  erect  a  new  church,  .  Dec.  10. 

Robinson's  corner,  merchandise  store,  n.  w.  corner  State  and  Broad- 
way, sold  at  auction  for  $33,500  to  Thorpe  &  Sprague  in  order 
to  build  there  a  handsomer  place  for  their  stage  coach  line 
station,  Dec.  17. 


1828. 


Common  Council  petitioned  by  John  S.  Van  Rensselaer  and  others 
to  pave  State  street  from  "  Old  "  Capitol  west  to  Lark  st., 

Jan.  7. 

Albany  Steamboat  Association,  owning  the  Victory,  at  a  directors' 
meeting,  decide  to  construct  another  steamboat,  give  Capt. 
Sanford  Cobb  of  the  old  boat  command,  appointing  Thomas 
Wiswall  captain  of  the  Victory,  which  was  launched  last  year, 

Jan.  14. 

Steamboat  Saratoga  arrives  from  New  York,  but  hastens  away  in 
an  hour,  the  river  freezing  shut,  Jan.  20. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Jan.  21. 

Captain  McDonald,  aged  55,  dies,  Jan.  24. 

River  open  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Feb.  8. 

Gov.  DeWitt  Clinton  dies  at  his  residence,  s.  e.  corner  of  No.  Pearl 
and  Steuben  street,  greatly  mourned,  aged  59  years,       Feb.  11. 

Nathaniel  Pitcher  assumes  reins  of  state  government,  Feb.  ii. 

Military  funeral  of  Gov.  DeWitt  Clinton,  one  of  the  most  beneficial 
executives  the  state  enrolls  in  its  history,  an  indefatigable  worker 
and  chief  promoter  of  the  building  of  the  Erie  canal,     Feb.  15. 

Solomon  Southwick  nominated  for  Governor  by  Batavia  citizens, 

Feb.  27. 

Lieutenant-Governor  Tayler  presides  at  a  meeting,  John  F.  Bacon 
acting  as  secretary,  at  which  it  is  urged  that  citizens  boycott 
on  week-days  those  stages,  hacks  and  other  vehicles  operating 
on  Sunday;  this  also  was  made  to  include  steamboats  and  all 
vessels,  and  60  signed,  Feb.  29. 


4/0  JAMES   STEVENSON.  No.  36. 


1828. 


George  Vernon,  from  Theatre  Royal,  London,  assumes  management 
of  The  Theatre  on  So.  Pearl  street,  March  i8. 

Common  Council  directs  the  city  attorney  to  prepare  a  law  that 
Frelinghuysen  street  may  be  changed  to  Franklin,       March  24. 

Common  Council,  on  petition  of  John  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  directs 
that  the  small  street  running  diagonally  from  Hudson  street 
to  Liberty,  be  named  Diagonal,  March  24. 

John  W.  Yates,  first  cashier  of  New  York  State  Bank,  graduate  of 
Columbia  in  1787,  student  for  bar,  24  years  cashier,  aged  58, 
dies,  March  29. 

Common  Council  changes  name  of  Frelinghuysen  to  Franklin  st., 

March  31. 

Clara  Plsher,  celebrated  actress,  at  Theatre,  "  ]\Iaid  of  Milan," 

April  9. 

Cornelius  Brower,  who  resided  on  site  of  Female  Academy  on  west 
side  of  No.  Pearl  st.,  north  of  Maiden  Line,  aged  90,  dies, 

April   13. 

^lany  women  busily  engaged  in  making  clothing  for  the  Greeks 
fighting  to  overthrow  the  Turkish  rule,  April  16. 

Largest  fire  in  years,  starting  in  bell  foundry  of  Lewis  Aspinwall, 
on  south  side  of  Beaver,  midway  So.  ^Market  (Broadway)  to 
Green  st.,  and  burning  several  buildings  through  to  Hudson  st., 
$40,000,  April  17. 

Gcrrit  Yates  Lansing,  alderman,  resigns  on  leaving  the  city, 

April  22. 

Drs.  J.  Eights  and  S.  S.  Treat  form  partnership.  May   i. 

Enthusiastic  meeting  of  citizens  crowds  the  Athenaeum  to  organize 
plans  for  a  monument  to  the  late  DeWitt  Clinton,  Judge  Will- 
iam A.  Duer  presiding,  and  Peter  Gansevoort  its  secretary, 
expecting  to  raise  funds  by  subscription  committee;  but  (as 
common  experience  in  Albany  when  a  monument  to  a  great 
man  is  in  view)  nothing  came  of  it.  May  5, 

Election  for  supervisors  and  assessors,  and  Gerrit  Gates  elected 
alderman  in  the  3rd  Ward  to  replace  Gerrit  Y.  Lansing,  who 
had  left  the  city,  May  6. 

Daniel  Skinner,  of  firm  \\'ebster  &  Skinners,  printers,  dies  at  Hart- 
ford, Conn.,  May  12. 

Sale  of  lots  in  the  low  land  south  of  So.  Ferry  street,  much  of 
time  under  water,  nearly  one  hundred  sold,  bringing  $21,000, 

Ad^ay  13. 

Nathaniel  S.  Skinner's  Mansion  House,  No.  402  No.  Market  street 
(  Broadway)  secured  by  Sidney  Chapin  and  Hugh  Cruikshank 
and  named  City  Hotel,  May  16. 


PRINTING  BY  PRIMITIVE  METHODS. 

Type  of  press  to  which  steam  power  was  appUed  in  1828  by  Packard  &  Van 
Benthuysen  (n.  w.  cor.  Green  and  Beaver  sts.),  on  which  the  "  Temperance 
Recorder  "  was  printed,  and  believed  the  earliest  application  in  America  of 
steam  power  to  a  printing-press.  (From  original  wood-cut  owned  by  Charles 
Van  Benthuysen  &  Sons,  est'd  1807.) 


No.  36-  JAMES   STEVENSON.  47I 

1828. 


Building  at   n.    e.   corner   No.    ^Market    (Broadway)    and    Steuben 

streets,   recently  used  as  the   Post-office,  fitted  up  by  Samuel 

Fuller  and  named  by  him  Clinton  Hotel,  May  19. 

To  the  mortification  of  citizens  who  cherished  the  memory  of  the 

late   Gov.   DeWitt   Clinton,   the   sheriff  advertises   the   sale   of 

all  his  property,  May  23. 

Mayor   James    Stevenson    sends   his    resignation    to   the    Common 

■   Council,  on  the  ground  that  pressure  of  his  business  demands  it, 

May   23. 


(See  No.  34.) 


No.  37. 

30hn  atnmuBrnin. 


Feb.   9,  1829  — Dec.  31,  1829. 
Jan.  1,  1830  — Dec.  31,  1830. 

Jan.  1,  1832  — Dec.  31,  1832 


No.  37. 
JOHN   TOWNSEND. 

Date  of  oificc:     (a)   Februrary  9,   1829-December  31,   1829. 

(b)  January  i,  1830-December  31,  1830. 

(c)  January  i,  1832-Deceniber  31,  1832. 
Date  of  election:     (a)    Succeeded  Dudley,  resigned. 

(b)    December  21,   1829. 

(c) December  29,  1831. 
Political  party:     Whig. 
Vote:     (a)    Unanimous. 

(b)  Unanimous. 

(c)  Unanimous. 

Date  of  birth:     June  14,  1783. 

Place  of  birth:     Sterling,  N.  Y. 

Parents:     Henry  (T.)  and  Mary  Bennett. 

Education:     Popular. 

Married  to:     Abby  Spencer  (daughter  of  35th  Mayor). 

Date:     July  7.  18 10. 

Children:  (13)  Laura  Spencer,  Ambrose  Spencer,  Mary,  Theo- 
dore, John  Henry,  Catherine  Clinton,  Julia,  Julia  Isabella, 
Theodore,  Abby  Eliza,  John,  Marianna,  Edward. 

Residence:     No.   142  State  street. 

Occupation:     Iron  founder  and  merchant. 

Religion:     Presbyterian. 

Date  of  death:     August  26.  1854. 

Place  of  death:     No.  142  State  street. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  During  cholera  plague,  1832,  was  indefatigable  to  check 
it,  and  was  highly  esteemed  therefor.  Organized  Albany 
Insurance  Company.  President  National  Commercial  Bank. 
Incorporator  and  Vice-President  Albany  Savings  Bank. 
Adviser  of  DeWitt  Clinton  in  canal  matters.  President  of 
Albany  Exchange  Company.  President  of  Water  Com- 
mission. 


i7.    JOHN  TOWNSEiND. 
I 829- I 832. 
From   a   photograph   made   by   Albany   Art   Union   of   the   oil   painting  by 
Alexander,  owned  in  1904  by  his  son,  Theodore  Townsend,  of  Albany. 


i 


No.    ■T^'J.  JOHN  TOWNSEND.  475 

1829. 


(Continued  from  No.  34) 
1829. 


John  Townsend  becomes  Mayor  of  Albany,  receiving  the  un.animous 
vote  of  18  ballots  by  the  Common  Council,  Mayor  Charles  E. 
Dudley  having  resigned  the  office  on  January  19th  in  order  to 
become  United  States  Senator  from  New  York,  and  the  two 
ballotings  at  the  Common  Council  meeting  of  February  2nd 
having  been  10  for  Townsend  and  10  for  Bloodgood ;  but  the 
latter  within  the  week  sent  a  letter  declining  to  be  a  candidate 
at  the  meeting  this  day,  Feb.  9. 

Stages  running  from  New  York  to  Albany  on  the  ice,  Feb.  13. 

Proposition  to  construct  a  railroad  to  be  operated  from  Boston  to 
the  Hudson  river  at  Albany  given  impetus  by  the  Massachusetts 
Legislature  voting  120  to  115  that  it  was  expedient  for  the 
commonwealth  to  aid  construction  by  its  funds,  Feb.  20. 

Rev.  Asa  T.  Hopkins  called  to  Second  Presbyterian  Church, 

Feb.  20. 

Estimate  of  42,000  barrels  of  beer  made  here,  30,000  exported, 

Feb.  22. 

Dr.  Barent  P.  Staats  elected  Alderman  of  ist  Ward  in  place  of 
John  Townsend  who  had  become  Mayor,  Feb.  24. 

IMohawk  and  Hudson  railroad  advertises  for  lumber  for  the  road, 

Feb.  25. 

Albany  Institute  granted  a  charter.  Feb.  27. 

Firm  of  Corning  &  Norton  dissolved,  March  3. 

Governor  Martin  Van  Buren  resigns  to  become  secretary  of  state 
under  President  Jackson,  March  12. 

Enos  T.  Throop  becomes  Governor,  March   12. 

John  Tayler,  former  Lieut.-Governor  and  first  president  of  the 
New  York  State  Bank,  aged  87,  dies,  March  19. 

James  Maher,  of  this  city,  succeeds  Calvin  Pepper  as  State  Librarian 
by  appointment,  March  30. 

John  Pruyn,  hardware  merchant,  sells  to  Lansing  Pruyn  &  Co., 

March   31. 

Prof.  Joseph  Hcnrv,  instructor  in  mathematics  and  the  natural  sci- 
ences at  the  Albany  Academy  since  Sept.  it,  1826,  devoted  his 
spare  hours  in  the  fall  of  1828  until  late  each  night  in  produc- 
ing what  he  termed  his  "  intensity  "  magnet,  the  first  ever  made 
in  the  world,  in  order  to  operate  an  electric  current  over  a  long 
stretch  of  wire  and  to  be  able  thus  to  accomplish  what  foreign 


4/6  JOHN   TOWNSEND.  No.    37. 

1829. 


scientists  had  declared  utterly  impracticable  to  solve,  the  elec- 
tric transmission  of  signals  or  an  electric  telegraph.  Then  (as 
ever  afterward)  no  electric  telegraph  would  work  without  it, 
and  upon  it  practically  every  form  of  electric  propulsion  is 
based.  As  a  fact,  had  this  been  covered  by  patent  by  him,  mil- 
lions of  machines  for  various  uses  throughout  the  world  would 
have  been  forced  to  pay  him  heavy  financial  tribute.  Professor 
Henry's  own  words  are:  "After  repeating  the  experiments  of 
Oersted,  Ampere,  and  others,  and  publishing  an  account  in  1828 
of  various  modifications  of  electro-magnetic  apparatus,  I  com- 
menced in  that  year  the  investigation  of  the  laws  of  the  develop- 
ment of  magnetism  in  soft  iron,  by  means  of  the  electrical 
current.  The  first  idea  that  occurred  to  me  in  accordance  with 
the  theory  of  Ampere,  with  reference  to  increasing  the  power 
of  the  electro-magnet,  was  that  of  using  a  longer  wire  than  had 
before  been  employed.  A  wire  of  sixty  feet  in  length,  covered 
with  silk,  was  wound  round  a  whole  length  of  an  iron  bar,  either 
straight  or  in  the  form  of  a  U,  so  as  to  cover  its  whole  length 
with  several  thicknesses  of  wire.  The  results  of  this  arrange- 
ment were  such  as  I  had  anticipated,  and  electro-magnets  of  this 
kind,  exhibited  to  the  Albany  Institute  in  jNIarch,  1829,  pos- 
sessed magnetic  power  superior  to  that  of  any  ever  before 
known.  The  idea  afterwards  occurred  to  me  that  the  quantity 
of  galvanism,  supplied  by  a  small  galvanic  battery,  might  be 
applied  to  develop  a  still  greater  amount  of  magnetic  power  in 
a  large  bar  of  iron.  On  experiment,  1  found  this  idea  correct. 
A  battery  of  two  and  a  half  scjuare  inches  of  zinc  developed 
magnetism  in  a  large  bar  sufficient  to  lift  fourteen  pounds.  The 
next  suggestion  which  occurred  to  me  was  that  of  using  a 
number  of  wires  of  the  same  length  around  the  same  bar,  so  as 
to  lessen  the  resistance  which  the  galvanic  current  experiences 
in  passing  from  the  zinc  to  the  copper  through  the  coil.  To 
bring  this  to  the  test  of  experiment,  a  second  wire,  equal  in 
length  to  the  first,  was  wound  around  the  last  mentioned  mag- 
net, and  its  ends  soldered  to  the  plates  of  the  same  battery. 
The  magnet  with  this  additional  wire  lifted  twenty-eight  pounds, 
or,  in  other  words,  its  power  was  doubled.  A  series  of  experi- 
ments was  afterwards  made,  to  determine  the  resistance  to  con- 
duction of  wires  of  difi^erent  lengths  and  diameters,  and  the 
proper  lengths  and  number  of  wires  for  producing,  with  diflFer- 
ent  kinds  of  galvanic  batteries,  the  maximum  of  amount  of 
magnetic  development  with  a  given  quantity  of  zinc  surface. 
For  this  purpose  a  bar  of  soft  iron,  two  inches  square  and 


I 


HENRY'S  "INTENSITY^'  MAGNET. 

It  was  this  wonderful  discovery  by  Prof.  Henry,  in  18.^9,  at  tlie 
Albany  Academy,  showing  how  a  magnet  could  be  wound  witli 
insulated  wire,  that  made  operation  of  telegraphs,  motors,  etc., 
possible. 


No.   2)7-  JOHN  TOWNSEND.  477 


1829. 


twenty  inches  long',  weighing"  twent\-one  pounds,  and  much 
larger  than  anv  before  used,  was  bent  in  the  form  of  a  horse- 
shoe. Around  this  were  wound  nine  strands  of  copper  wire, 
each  sixty  feet  long,  the  ends  left  projecting  so  that  one  or 
more  coils  could  be  used  at  once,  either  connected  with  a  battery 
or  with  each  other,  thus  forming  several  coils  with  several 
battery  connections,  or  one  long  coil  with  single  battery  con- 
nections. The  greatest  effect  obtained  with  tliis  magnet,  using 
a  battery  of  a  single  pair,  with  a  zinc  plate  of  two-fifths  of  a 
square  foot  of  surface,  and  all  the  wire  arranged  as  separate 
coils,  was  to  lift  a  weight  of  six  hundred  and  fifty  pounds ;  with 
a  large  battery  the  effect  was  increased  to  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds.  In  a  subsequent  series  of  experiments,  not  pub- 
lished with  the  preceding,  the  same  magnet  was  made  to  sustain 
one  thousand  pounds.  When  a  compound  battery  was  em- 
ployed of  a  number  of  pairs,  it  was  found  that  the  greatest 
effect  was  produced  when  all  the  w^ires  were  arranged  as  a 
single  long  coil.  I  subsequently  constructed  electro-magnets  on 
the  same  plan,  which  supported  much  greater  weights.  The 
above  mentioned  experiments  exhibit  the  important  fact  that 
when  a  galvanic  battery  of  intensity  (that  is  to  say,  a  battery 
consisting  of  a  number  of  pairs)  is  employed,  the  electro-magnet 
connected  with  it  must  be  wound  with  one  long  wire,  in  order 
to  reproduce  the  greatest  effect ;  and  that  when  a  battery  of 
quantity  (that  is,  one  of  a  single  pair)  is  employed,  the  proper 
form  of  the  magnet  connected  with  it  is  that  in  Avhich  several 
shorter  wires  are  wound  around  the  iron.  The  first  of  these 
magnets,  which  is  the  one  now  employed  in  the  long  or  main 
circuit  of  the  telegraph,  may  be  called  an  intensity  magnet ;  and 
the  second,  which  is  used  in  the  local  circuit,  may  be  denomi- 
nated the  quantity.  The  quantity  of  electricity  which  can  be 
passed  through  a  long  circuit  of  ordinary  sized  wire  is,  under 
the  most  favorable  circumstances,  exceedingly  small,  and  in 
order  that  it  may  develop  magnetism  in  a  bar  of  iron,  it  was 
necessary  that  it  should  be  made  to  revolve  many  times  around 
the  iron,  that  its  effects  may  be  multiplied ;  and  this  is  effected 
by  using  a  long  coil.  Hence  it  will  be  seen  that  the  electro- 
magnet of  Mr.  Sturgeon  was  not  applicable  to  telegraphic  pur- 
poses in  a  long  circuit.  Previous  to  making  the  last  experi- 
ments above  mentioned,  in  order  to  guide  myself,  I  instituted  a 
series  of  preliminary  experiments  on  the  conduction  of  wires 
of  different  lengths  and  diameters,  with  different  batteries. 
*     *     *     After  this  the  battery  of  a  single  pair  was  removed 


478  JOHN   TOWNSEND.  No.    37. 

1829. 

and  its  place  supplied  by  one  of  intensity,  consisting  of  twenty- 
five  pairs.  With  this  the  important  fact  was  observed,  that  no 
perceptible  diminution  of  the  lifting  power  took  place,  when 
the  current  was  transmitted  through  an  intervening  wire  be- 
tween the  battery  and  the  magnet  of  upwards  of  one  thousand 
feet.  This  was  the  first  discovery  of  the  fact  that  a  galvanic 
current  could  be  transmitted  to  a  great  distance  with  so  little 
diminution  of  force  as  to  produce  mechanical  effects,  and  of  the 
means  by  which  the  transmission  could  be  accomplished.  I  saw 
that  the  electric  telegraph  was  now  practicable."  March. 

River  open  to  navigation   (Government  record),  April   i. 

Citizens  organize  a  state  temperance  society  at  the  "  Old  "  Capitol, 
Reuben  Walworth  elected  president,  April  2. 

A  Canadian  named  Malhiot  visits  the  city,  his  weight  619  povmds 
and  measuring  around  body  6  ft.  10  in.,  around  leg  3  ft.  4  in., 

yVpril  6. 

Joseph  Lancaster,  a  prominent  educator  of  the  day  and  advocate  of 
certain  public  school  systems,  visits  Albany  and  lectures  at  the 
"  Old  "  Capitol  on  effect  of  education  on  nations,       April  9. 

Freshet  in  river  higher  than  any  time  since  1818  record,     April  22. 

The  city  receives  $67,500  from  Yates  &  Mclntyre  on  account  of  the 
lottery  that  firm  undertook  to  manage,  and  the  sale  of  city 
lots,  which  was  applied  to  reduce  the  corporation's  debt,  it 
being  the  popular  opinion  that  with  the  expense  added  the 
following  year  for  the  erection  of  a  new  city  hall  it  would  be 
a  generation  before  the  city  debt  would  be  as  low  again. 

May  I. 

Clinton  Insurance  Co.,  capital  $300,000,  incorporated.  May  4. 

First  city  election  in  which  antimasonic  candidates  figure,      May  5- 

Legislature  adjourns  having  passed  a  law  that  the  citv  of  Albany 
shall  be  paid  the  sum  of  $17,500  by  the  state  for  releasing  all 
right  and  interest  in  the  Capitol  Iniilding  and  the  park  in  front 
thereof  before  the  following  June  ist..  May  5. 

Xew  York  State  Bank  elects  Francis  Bloodgood  its  (2nd )  president, 
by  reason  of  the  death  of  John  Tayler,  May   13. 

Museum  exhibits  Susan  and  Deborah  Tripp,  born  at  Freedom, 
Dutchess  Co.,  former  5  years  and  8  months  weighing  203 
pounds,  latter  2  years  and  10  months  weighing  ikj  pounds. 

May   15. 

Mrs.  Mary  Hawkins,  famous  as  the  keeper  of  the  Molly  Scott  tavern 
on  Patroon  street  (Clinton  avenue)  hill,  aged  80,  dies.  May  21. 

J.  &  Archibald  ]\IcClure  open  drugs  and  medicines  at  Xo.  70  State 
St..  May  2T^. 


No.  2,7-  JOHN  TOWXSKND.  479 

1829. 


City  engaged  erecting  public  markets  on  South  Pearl  St.,  between 
Howard  and  Beaver  streets  and  at  the  Watering  Place  (Steam- 
boat Square),  the  latter  named  Clinton  market,  May  25. 

Board  of  supervisors  at  a  special  meeting  agree  to  the  law  passed  at 
the  last  session  of  the  Legislature  regarding  the  purchase  of  all 
interest  in  the  Capitol  and  park,  and  further  agree  to  devoting 
$15,000  towards  erection  of  a  county  building,  i\Iay  28. 

Common  Council  appoints  a  committee  to  purchase  a  site  for  a 
building  to  be  used  for  city  and  county  purposes,  and  selecting 
the  land  owned  by  St.  Peter's  Church,  Eagle  and  Pine  streets 
and  Alaiden  Lane,  pay  $10,259.95  for  it  when  deeds  are  ready. 

^lay  28. 

Residents  along  Columbia  street,  above  Chapel,  allowed  to  fence 
grass  plats  before  their  houses  by  the  Common  Council,  pro- 
vided the  line  was  not  carried  beyond  that  east  of  Chapel  street. 

June  8. 

Duffey  &  Forrest  assume  management  of  Pearl  Street  theatre. 

June  9. 

Second  Presbyterian  Church  calls  Rev.  Dr.  \Mlliam  Buel  Sprague 
to  pulpit  left  vacant  by  death  of  Rev.   Dr.   John  Chester, 

June  14. 

Xew  steamboat  Ohio  makes  first  appearance;  157  feet  long,  30  feet 
beam,  9J.S  feet  hold,  bearing  150  berths,  Capt.  ]\Iartin  Barthol- 
omew, June  21. 

On  closmg  the  subscription  books  of  the  Canal  Bank  it  was  found 
that  the  shares  subscribed  for  in  excess  numbered  6,488.  The 
capital  is  $300,000  at  $20  each,  John  T.  Norton  elected  presi- 
dent, June  24. 

Independence  Da}^  observed  by  parade,  Thos.  W.  Harman  orator, 

July  4- 

High  street  ordered  extended  from  Lancaster  to  Hudson  st.,  July  20. 

Common  Council  having  advertised  for  a  competition  of  architects  to 
build  the  new  City  Hall,  offering  an  award  of  $100,  the  com- 
mittee adopts  the  cupola  and  attic  windows  of  Mr.  Cutts  of 
Boston,  and  the  remainder  of  the  building  as  designed  by  Philip 
Hooker  of  this  city,  dividing  the  premium  mentioned,    July  28. 

Charles  Gilbert,  who  had  been  the  first  manager  of  The  Theatre,  So. 
Pearl  street,  while  managing  the  Bowery  theatre  in  New  York, 
age  42,  dies  in  that  city,  July  30. 

The  New  York  Journal  of  Commerce  having  published  a  number 
of  trenchant  articles  affecting  seriously  the  character  of  Joseph 
Lancaster,  the  celebrated  educator  after  whom  the  street  and 
Lancastrian  School  (later  the  building  of  the  Albany  Medical 


480  JOHN.TOWXSEND.  No.    37. 

1829. 


College)  are  named,  be  appeals  to  his  friends  in  Albany  to 
investigate  tbe  several  charges  most  searcbingly  and  then  either 
blame  him  or  exonerate  his  name,  as  it  was  a  matter  deeply 
affecting  the  progress  of  his  educational  work,  July  31. 

Prof.  Joseph  Henry  (born  at  Albany  on  Dec.  \J,  17(^7,  and  made 
the  teaclier  of  the  natural  sciences  at  the  Albany  Academy  on 
Sept.  II,  1826)  had  commenced  his  studies  of  electricity  during 
his  free  hours  as  early  as  1827  and  in  1828,  as  described  by  him 
in  a  paper  read  before  The  Albany  Institute  in  March  of  1829, 
had  discovered  the  principle  of  what  he  termed  his  "  intensity  " 
magnet.  It  was  one  that,  for  the  first  time  in  the  world's  de- 
velopment, could  be  operated  at  any  distance  by  an  electric  cur- 
rent, and  by  means  of  it  he  could  hold  a  weight  of  1,000  pounds, 
when  by  opening  the  circuit  it  would  be  instantly  released  and 
would  fall.  In  1828,  he  conceived  the  idea  of  making  a  lever 
of  metal  fall  upon  something  creating  sound,  such  as  a  bell,  and 
thereby  transmit  signals  at  a  great  distance,  or  in  fact  to  tele- 
graph. His  paper  on  the  subject  was  printed  in  Silliman's 
American  Journal  of  Science  in  January,  1831,  and  refuted  the 
idea  of  the  great  minds  of  Europe,  notably  Barlow  of  England, 
that  the  idea  of  electrically  communicating  must  be  abandoned 
because  the  current  was  too  weak  to  travel  any  distance  with 
sufficient  power  to  be  of  service  in  this  way.  It  remained  to  put 
his  theory  into  practice,  and  his  words  are :  "  I  arranged  around 
one  of  tile  upper  rooms  of  the  Albany  Academy  a  wire  of  more 
than  a  mile  in  length,  through  which  I  was  enabled  to  make 
signals  by  sounding  a  bell.  The  mechanical  arrangement  for 
effecting  this  object  was  simply  a  steel  bar,  permanently  mag- 
netized, of  about  ten  inches  in  length,  supported  on  a  pivot,  and 
placed  with  its  north  end  between  the  two  arms  of  a  horse-shoe 
magnet.  When  the  latter  was  excited  by  the  current,  the  end 
of  the  bar  thus  placed  was  attracted  by  one  arm  of  the  horse- 
shoe and  repelled  by  the  other,  and  was  thus  caused  to  move  in 
a  horizontal  plane  and  its  further  end  to  strike  a  bell  suitably- 
adjusted."  Says  A.  M.  Mayer :  "  This  was  the  first  electro- 
magnetic telegraph  which  had  worked  through  so  great  a  length 
of  wire ;  it  was  the  first  electro-magnetic  telegraph  in  which  an 
electro-magnet  had  worked  successfully  ;  it  was  the  first  '  sound- 
ing '  magnetic  telegraph."  Henry  further  says :  "  In  arriving 
at  these  results,  and  announcing  their  applicability  to  the  tele- 
graph, I  had  not  in  mind  any  particular  form  of  telegraph,  but 
referred  only  to  the  general  fact  that  it  was  now  demonstrated 
that  a  galvanic  current  could  be  transmitted  to  great  distances 
with  sufficient  power  to  produce  mechanical  effects  adequate  to 


HENRY  AND  THE  TELEGRAPH. 

to  nr™^;  ■^°''''^',  "'"'■'■'  ^''""^  discovered  his  "  intensity  -  magnet  applied  it 
AlbTT  T  ".  '''"''''''  ""•   demonstrated    rts   practicabilu;  at   the 

Albany  Academy  .ni8->5.     This  stattie  by  Sculptor  J.hn  Flanagan 


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No.   37.  JOHN  TOWNSEND.  481 

1829. 


the  desired  object.  The  invcstig'ations  above  mentioned  were 
all  devised  and  originated,  and  the  experiments  planned,  by  my- 
self. In  conducting  the  latter,  however,  I  was  assisted  by  Dr. 
Philip  Ten  Eyck,  of  Albany.  An  account  of  the  whole  was 
published  in  the  19th  volume  of  Silliman's  Journal;  in  183 1." 
He  further  has  this  to  say  regarding  his  discovery  of  the  tele- 
graph, which  is  so  succinctly  stated  that  the  matter  becomes 
clear  to  those  unfamiliar  with  the  wonderful  discovery  at  Al- 
bany: "  From  a  careful  investigation  of  the  history  of  electro- 
magnetism  in  its  connection  with  the  telegraph,  the  following 
facts  may  be  established:  i.  Previous  to  my  investigations  the 
means  of  developing  magnetism  in  soft  iron  were  imperfectly 
understood,  and  the  electro-magnet  which  then  existed  was  in- 
applicable to  the  transmission  of  power  to  a  distance.  2.  I  was 
the  first  to  prove  by  actual  experiment  that,  in  order  to  develop 
magnetic  power  at  a  distance,  a  galvanic  battery  of  intensity 
must  be  employed  to  project  the  current  through  the  long  con- 
ductor, and  that  a  magnet  surrounded  by  many  turns  of  one 
long  wire  must  be  used  to  receive  this  current.  3.  I  was  the 
first  a:ctually  to  magnetize  a  piece  of  iron  at  a  distance,  and  to 
call  attention  to  the  fact  of  the  applicability  of  my  experiments 
to  the  telegraph.  4.  I  was  the  first  actually  to  sound  a  bell  at 
a  distance  by  means  of  the  electro-magnet.  *  *  *  The  only 
reward  I  ever  expected  was  the  consciousness  of  advancing  sci- 
ence, the  pleasure  of  discovering  new  truths,  and  the  scientific 
reputation  to  which  these  labors  would  entitle  me.  *  *  *  I 
never  myself  attempted  to  reduce  these  principles  to  practice  or 
to  apply  any  of  my  discoveries  to  processes  in  the  arts.  My 
whole  attention  was  devoted  to  original  scientific  investigations, 
and  I  left  to  others  what  I  considered  in  a  scientific  view  of 
subordinate  importance,  the  application  of  my  discoveries  to 
useful  purposes  in  the  arts.  Besides  this,  I  partook  of  the  feel- 
ing common  to  men  of  science,  which  disinclines  them  to  secure 
to  themselves  the  advantages  of  their  discoveries  by  a  patent." 

July. 

Mansion  built  by  deceased  Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck  on  Arbor 
Hill,  house  44  x  52  feet,  lot  292  x  759  feet,  sold  at  auction,  and 
is  occupied  by  Thomas  W.  Olcott,  a  banker,  A".?-  i- 

Common  Council  decides  on  laying  out  Clinton  Square,  area  about 
60  X  200  feet,  as  a  small  city  park,  Aug.  1 7. 

St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church,  corner  of  So.  Ferry  and  Dallius  streets, 
consecrated  by  Bishop  Hobart,  and  at  sale  of  pews  (on  25th) 
$3,482  is  realized  for  16  of  them,  Aug.  24. 

On  petition  of  Isaiah  &  John  Townsend,  who  purchased  the  land  in 


482  JOHN    TOWNSEND.  No.    37. 


1829. 


1807,  the  Common  Council  decides  to  open  Jay  St.,  Eagle  to 
Hawk.  Aug.  24. 

Rev.  Dr.  VVm.  Buel  Sprague  installed  by  2nd  Presbyterian  Church, 

Aug.  26. 

City  Hall  corner-stone  laid  by  ]\Iayor  John  Townsend  with  full 
ceremonial  at  which  a  large  concourse  gathers.  He  met  with 
the  recorder  and  Common  Council  at  the  "  Old  "  Capitol,  and 
with  Architect  Hooker  and  prominent  citizens  proceeded  in 
procession  to  the  site  on  Eagle  st.  The  stone  was  in  readiness 
at  the  northeast  corner  and  in  the  leaden  box  with  a  massive 
mscription  plate  thereon,  were  placed  the  City  Directory,  a  copy 
of  the   Charter  and   maps,  Aug.   31. 

Tearing  down  of  old  St.  Mary's  Church  at  the  n.  w.  corner  of  Pine 
and  Chapel  streets  begun,  in  order  to  erect  the  second  edifice, 
which  was  to  be  replaced  about  30  years  later  by  the  one  in  use 
in  1900.  This  first  one  was  of  brick,  was  small,  not  extending 
half  the  distance  to  Lodge  street,  Sept.  14. 

Justices  Court  convenes  for  first  time  in  the  new  building  on  So. 
Pearl  street,  David  Hosford,  as  senior  member  of  the  bar,  de- 
livering the  principal  address.  Sept.  14. 

John  T.  Norton's  wife,  Mary  H.,  aged  27,  dies,  Sept.  21. 

The  new  Centre  Market  stalls  sell  for  $158.50  and  those  of  the  new 
South  Market  for  $628,  Sept.  23. 

Charter  election  for  aldermen  and  assistants  in  the  5  Wards, 

Sept.  29. 

Sam  Patch,  famous  for  his  diving  from  bridges,  stops  in  this  city 
on  his  way  to  Niagara,  Sept.  30. 

City  surveyor  submits  plans  to  Common  Council  for  paving  Hallen- 
bake  (Grand  st.)  from  Hudson  street  (avenue)  to  Hamilton 
street,  that  way  never  having  been  in  use  for  street  purposes, 

Oct.  5. 

Universalist  meeting-house  on  Herkimer  street,  (bet.  Green  and 
Franklin)   dedicated,  Oct.   11. 

St.  Mary's  (  R.  C.)  second  edifice,  northwest  corner  of  Chapel  and 
Pine  streets,  corner-stone  laid  by  Alderman  Cassidy,  president 
of  board  of  trustees,  Oct.  13. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Barent  P.  Staats,  Erastus 
Corning,  I.  John  Cassidy,  Daniel  McGlashan,  H.  Herman 
V.  Hart,  Gerrit  Gates,  HI.  James  Maher,  Lemuel  Steele,  IV. 
James  Gibbons,  William  Stilwell,  V.  Election,  Sept.  29 ;  sworn 
in,  Oct.   13. 

John  V.  Henry,  one  of  the  city's  greatest  lawyers,  falls  on  the  street, 
apoplexy,  on  October  20th,  aged  64,  and  dies,  Oct.  21. 


No.   2>7-  JOHN   TOWNSKND.  483 

1829. 


Frances  Wright  delivers  first  lecture  l)ef()re  Alljany  Athenaeum, 

Oct.  22. 

Vault  built  near  Presbyterian  burial-g'round  that  bodies  might  remain 
there  a  time  and  guard  against  dissection.  On  depositing  the 
first  body  this  day,  the  person  in  charge  returns  for  something 
and  hears  a  noise  within,  whicli  thoroughly  alarms  him  ;  but 
he  opens  the  portal  and  calls  to  the  supposed  ghost  to  come 
out,  whereupon  he  is  surprised  to  see  a  human  being  emerge, 
who  had  remained  inside  not  knowing  the  iron  door  was  being 
closed  upon  him,  and  the  sexton's  return  saved  his  life,     Nov.  i. 

Peter  Gansevoort,  Democrat,  elected  to  the  Assembly,  Nov.  5. 

Streets  illumined  at  this  time  by  586  oil  lamps,  100  of  which  held 
half  a  pint  and  the  others  a  gill,  Nov.  17. 

Steamboats  DeWitt  Clinton  and  A  ictory  sold  at  auction  at  New 
York  city,  the  latter  having  cost  $56,000  and  her  engine  $20,000, 
brings  $17,000;  the  Clniton  having  cost  $44,000,  and  her  engine 
$25,000,   sells   for  $5,000,  Nov.    17. 

Albany  Orphan  Asylum  opened  in  a  small  way,  in  a  building  where 
Mrs.  Heely  cares  for  eight  children,  Dec.   i. 

St.  Vincent's  Female  Orphan  Asylum  opened. 

Most  rapid  transmission  of  President  Andrew  Jackson's  "  Message  " 
to  the  Congress  which  is  published  in  this  city  in  less  than  two 
days  after  its  reading  at  the  Capitol.  By  messenger  it  was 
carried  to  New  York  city  in  I5j/j  hours,  and  up  the  river  by  the 
steamboat  Albany,  delivered  at  noon  on  Tuesday,  printed  in 
Albany  Daily  Advertiser  on  Thursday  morning,  Dec.  10. 

Gen.  John  H.  Wendell,  21  years  county  treasurer,  resigns,    Dec.  10. 

Sad  and  mysterious  case  of  Chancellor  John  Lansing,  Jun.,  the  30th 
Alayor  of  Albany.  Pie  was  in  New  York  city  on  important 
business  and  disappeared  so  that  he  was  never  thereafter  heard 
from  or  his  disappearance  explained.  It  is  thought  that  in  going 
aboard  the  steamboat  for  Albany  in  the  dark  he  fell  into  the 
water,  or  else  had  been  waylaid  on  his  way  there.  He  studied 
law  in  the  office  of  Robert  Yates,  (who  became  chief  justice) 
and  was  closely  identified  with  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  during  the 
Revolution,  at  which  time  he  was  one  of  the  most  active  mem- 
bers of  the  state  convention  that  conducted  the  military  opera- 
tions of  New  York.  He  was  delegated  by  the  state  a  member 
of  the  convention  that  drew  up  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States.     He  was  last  heard  of  on  this  day.  Dec.   12. 

Council  passes  ordinance  to  restore  hogs  captured  at  large  and  for 
not  being  rmged  taken  to  the  Alms-IIouse,  Dec.   14. 


484  JOHX   TOWXSEXD.  No.   37. 

1829-1830. 

Circus  property  on  No.  Pearl  street,  north  of  Columbia  st.,  ordered 

sold  at  auction,  Dec.    17. 

Superintendent  of  Aims-House  reports  420  inmates,  Dec.  20. 

Mayor  John  Townsend  re-elected  unanimously  by  Common  Council, 

Dec.  21. 


1830. 

John  Townsend  begins  his  second  term  as  Mayor,  Jan.  i. 

River  clear  of  ice  and  steamboats  running  to  New  York,  charging 
only  50  cents  for  passage ;  New  Year's  callers  receiving  coffee 
and  cake  in  place  of  hot  drinks  and  liquors  because  of  the 
temperance  movement  sweeping  over  the  state  and  strong  in 
the    city,  Jan.    i 

Population  of  the  city  stated  as  24,238,  January 

Population  of  the  State  of  New  York  announced  as  1,918,608, 

January 

Slaves  in  the  state  at  this  time  number  only  75,  January 

Legislature  convenes ;  J\Iessage  from  Gov.  Enos  T.  Throop  read, 

Jan.  5 

The  Albanian,  literary  paper,  semi-monthly,  issued  for  the  first  time 
by  Arthur  N.  Sherman,  Jan.  5 

Dr.  Alden  March  delivers  introductory  lecture  to  his  course  of 
anatomy,  speaking  of  the  urgent  necessity  of  establishing  a 
hospital  and  a  medical  college  in  this  city,  Jan.  11. 

Gov.  Lincoln,  of  Massachusetts,  in  his  Message,  urges  means  to 
establish  a  railroad  operated  by  steam  from  Boston  to  Albany, 

Jan.  II. 

River  closed  for  first  time  since  last  spring,  the  Philadelphia  coming 
to  within  26  miles  of  city  and  turning  back,  Jan.  11. 

Reuben  II.  Walworth,  president,  addresses  the  New  York  State 
Temperance  Society  on  its  first  anniversary,  in  Assembly  Cham- 
ber, Jan.   19. 

Estimate  by  the  local  temperance  society  gives  415  taverns  and 
groceries  selling  liquors,  200,000  gallons  sold  annually  in  Al- 
bany, 500  habitual  drunkards,  4,000  tipplers,  200  deaths  by 
intemperance,  and  $100,000  expended  for  liquor  during  past 
year  Jan.  31. 

Thorpe  &  Sprague's  stage  leaves  the  "  IMarble  Pillar,"  n.  w.  corner 
of  State  and  Broadway,  at  9:20  a.  m.,  9  passengers,  and  arrives 
at  Utica  at  5  :35  p.  m.,  traveling  in  8  hr.  15  min.,  including  stops, 
at  12  miles  an  hour  throughout.  Feb.  6. 


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No.   ^y.  JOHN   TOWNSEXD.  485 

1830. 

Lancaster  School  (west  side  of  Eagle  st.)  annual  meeting  held  in 
"  Old  "  Capitol,  Archibald  Campbell,  president,  Joseph  Henry 
secretary,  report  1,300  children  instructed  during  year  at  ex- 
pense of  not  more  than  $1,700;  Simeon  DeWitt  president, 

Feb.  6. 

Rev.  Mr.  Thompson,  the  pioneer  of  Unitarians  in  Albany,  preaches 
first  sermon  here,  Feb.  21. 

Anti-masonic  state  convention  assembles,  Feb.  24. 

Rev.  j\Ir.  Thompson  preaches  in  "  Old  "  Capitol  morning  and  night, 

Feb.  28. 

Gerrit  T.  Bradt,  superintendent  of  South  Ferry,  reports  two  years' 
receipts  as  $17,013.96;  balance,  $12,786.34,  Feb.  28. 

Citv  Hall  building  commission  reports  contracting  with  Sing  Sing 
agent  for  the  marble  for  $11,500,  Feb.  28. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  15. 

Steamboat  Constellation  first  to  arrive  here,  March  20. 

Albany  Evening  Journal,  edited  by  Thurlow  Weed,  first  published, 
by  B.  D.  Packard  &  Co.,  March  22. 

Snow  falls  to  depth  of  28  inches,  overwhelming  quantities  of  pigeons 
which  are  picked  up  at  Buttermilk  Falls  in  numbers,    ]\Iarch  25. 

Farmers',  Mechanics'  and  Workingmen's  Advocate  first  published, 
by  McPherson  &  McKercher,  April  3. 

Paul  Hochstrasser  resigns  as  city  clerk  and  John  W.  Hyde  is  ap- 
pointed to  fill  the  vacancy  by  Common  Council,  April   5. 

Alderman  Daniel  McGlashan,  at  times  overseer  of  poor  and  police 
justice,  aged  39,  dies  April  13. 

Public  schools  provided  for  by  Legislative  act,  April  17. 

Legislature  adjourns,  passing  300  laws,  April  20. 

Calvin  Edson.  known  as  "  Living  Skeleton,"  at  IMuseum,  age  42 
years,  and  although  5  ft.  2  in.,  weight  only  60  pounds, 

April  20. 

Mechanics  &  Farmers'  Bank  declares  50%  dividend,  April  21. 

Kilian   K.   \'an  Rensselaer's  wife,   Margaretta,  aged  66,  dies. 

April  21. 

Explosion  aboard  steamboat  Chief  Justice  Marshall  near  Nev.'burgh 
on  up  trip,  injuring  many  and  six  die,  April  22. 

Alderman  John  Cassidy,  holding  that  office  in  2nd  Ward  many  years 
and  active  in  advancing  city  interests,  aged  46,  dies,      April  23. 

The  '•  Old  ■'  Capitol  having  been  placed  in  control  of  trustees,  they 
appoint  Henry  Weaver  superintendent,  April  23. 

Steamboat  Victory  withdrawn  from  Hudson  river  to  ply  between 
New  York  and  Hartford  on  East  river,  April  24. 


486  JOHN    TOWNSEND.  No.   37. 

1830. 


Report  to  Common  Council  in  favor  of  changing  Capitol  to  Park  St., 

May  3. 
Election  for  town  officers,  (supervisors  and  assessors)  when  Edwin 

Croswell,  editor  of  The  Argus,  gave  forth  the  saying  that  "  as 

goes  the  Fourth  Ward,  so  goes  the  state,"  May  4. 

Dr.  Barent  P.  Staats'  wife,  Maria  A.  Winne,  aged  26,  dies,     May  9. 
Albany   Orphan   Asylum   organizes,    electing    Edward    C.    Delavan 

president,  May  19. 

Banks  of  the  city  depreciate  the  value  of  pistareens  to  16  cents,  the 

former  value,  before  being  worn,  having  been  20  cents,  May  29. 
John  O.  Cole's  wife,  Eleanor,  aged  37,  dies,  June  5. 

One  of  the  speediest  stage-coach  runs,  made  from  Whitehall  to  this 

city,  81  miles  in  8  hrs.  30  mins.,  June  5. 

First  Presbyterian  Church  calls  Rev.  John  N.  Campbell,  of  Wash- 
ington, offering  annual  salary  of  $1,600,  considered  liberal, 

June  7. 
Fourth  Presbyterian  Church  completed,  size  60  x  90  feet,  extending 

from  No.  Market  street   (Broadway)   to  Orchard  street   (No. 

Pearl  st.),  between  Patroon  (Clinton  ave.)  and  Wilson  streets; 

Architect,  Philip  Hooker;  Pastor,  Rev.  Edward  N.  Kirk. 

June  10. 
North  Dutch  Reformed  Church  on  west  side  of  No.  Pearl  street, 

enclosed  by  an  iron  picket  fence,  which  is  a  novelty,     June  10. 
Mayor  John  Townsend's  house  robbed  of  silverware;  recovered, 

June  10. 
Ox  weighing  4,000  pounds  exhibited  here,  June  12. 

Independence   Day   celebrated ;   William   Parmelee   the   orator, 

July  4- 

Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  with  a  silver  spade,  breaks  the  ground 
at  Schenectady  in  starting  work  upon  the  Mohawk  and  Hudson 
new  railroad  to  be  the  first  in  America  operated  by  steam, 

July  29. 

Marshall  reports  the  census  of  the  city  as  11,533  white  males  and 
11,632  white  females;  total  23,165;  colored  males,  421,  colored" 
females  630,  total  1,051 ;  grand  total,  24,216  persons,     July  30. 

George  Merchant,  classmate  of  President  Madison  and  who  came  to 
Albany  to  open  an  Academy  next  door  south  of  the  \  ander- 
heyden  Palace,  (west  side  of  No.  Pearl  st.,  and  south  of 
Maiden  Lane),  in  war  of  1812  a  paymaster  in  U.  S.  Army, 
aged  73,  dies.  -""^^ug.  14. 

St.  Mary's  Church,  second  edifice,  at  n.  w.  corner  of  Chapel  and 
Pine  streets,  first  opened,  ^"^ug.   29. 

Henry  C.  Southwick's  wife.  Mary  (dau.  of  Capt.  Isaac  Wool),  dies, 

Sept.  3. 


No.   2)7-  JOHN  TOWNSEND.  487 


1830. 


St.  Clary's  Church  trustees  hold  first  sessiou  in  new  edifice  and 
pass  resohition  of  thanks  to  citizens  and  the  Lancaster  school 
for  allowing  use  of  building  while  work  was  going"  on, 

Sept.  8. 

Charter  election  in  the  5  wards  for  aldermen  and  assistants, 

Sept.  28. 

Nathaniel  P.  Wihis,  the  author,  at  Titus'  Hotel,  Troy,  gives  vent 
to  much  discussion  by  his  remark  on  catching  a  glimpse  of  this 
city,  (becoming  later  a  current  phrase),  "Albany,  looking  so 
well  in  the  distance,  that  you  half  forgive  it  for  its  hogs,  otfals, 
broken  pavements,  and  the  score  of  other  nuisances  more  Dutch 
than  decent,"  Sept.  28. 

Steamboat  Ohio  makes  world  sailing  record,  arriving  from  New 
York  in  9  hours  and  s8  minutes,  about  14^^  miles  an  hour, 

Oct.   I. 

Christopher  Dunn,  keeper  of  the  famous  City  Coffee  Ifouse,  a  tavern 
or  hotel  at  the  corner  of  Green  and  Beaver  streets,  and  whose 
place  was  cut  in  two  on  widening  Green  street,  aged  67,  dies, 

Oct.  9. 

Common  Council  orders  Lodge  street  paved,  Pine  to  ]\Iaiden  Lane, 

Oct.   II. 

City  expenses  $174,442.93;  receipts  $156,546.02,  year  ending, 

Oct.  12. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Ralph  Pratt,  Willard  Walker, 
L  William  Seymour,  Seth  Hastings,  H.  Gerrit  Gates,  Gerrit 
Yates  Lansing,  IH.  James  Maher,  Lemuel  Steele,  IV.  James 
Gibbons,  Stephen  A^an  Rensselaer,  V.  Election,  Sept.  28; 
sworn  in,  Oct.  12. 

P.  V.  Shankland  appointed  Common  Council  clerk  in  place  of  John 
W.  Hyde,  removed,  Oct.  25. 

Citizens  subscribe  as  follows  for  gilding  the  dome  of  the  new 
marble  City  Hall:  ist  Ward^  $73-5o;  2nd  Ward,  $161.75  ;  3rd 
Ward,  $120.75  ;  4th  Ward,  $98.25 ;  the  total,  $454-25,  and  the 
committee  having  been  limited  to  $2  subscriptions,  now  author- 
ized to  accept  smaller  sums,  Nov.  17. 

Lydius  street  (Madison  ave.)  ordered  to  have  a  sidewalk  from  So. 
Pearl  to  Hallenbake  (Grand)  street  on  south  side  as  the  road 
was  now  coming  into  use,  Nov.  22. 

Common  Council  authorizes  finance  committee  to  rent  the  old  Court 
House  (City  Hall)  at  n.  e.  cor.  Broadway  and  Hudson  avenue, 

Nov.  22. 

Second  Presbyterian  Church  Annex  erected. 

River  closes  (Government  record),  Dec.  6. 


.488  JOHN   TOWXSEXD.  No,   37. 

1830,  1832. 

Thanksgiving-  Day  observed  by  Gov.  Throop's  proclamation, 

Dec.  9. 

Gen.  Matthew  Trotter,  Revohitionary  officer  with  General  Ganse- 
voort  and  Colonel  Willett  at  Fort  Stanwix,  afterwards  aid  to 
Lord  Stirling,  a  river  captain  and  then  in  mercantile  bnsiness, 
dies,  Dec.  9. 

Orchard  street  (No.  Pearl  st.)  ordered  paved  north  of  Patroon 
street   (Clinton  ave.),  Dec.   13. 

David  Williams,  a  surviving  captor  of  Major  Andre  during  the 
Revolution,  is  escorted  to  The  Theatre  on  west  side  of  So.  Pearl 
street  by  Captain  Watson's  Artillery  company  and  gives  a  narra- 
tion of  the  historic  incident,  receiving  considerable  applause, 

Dec.  18. 

River  closed,  (according  to  ^Munsell's  Annals,  Vol.  IX,  p.  221), 

Dec.  22. 

■"  Marble  Pillar "  building  of  Thorpe  &  Sprague,  proprietors  of 
stage-  coach  lines,  receives  the  museum  collection  of  exhibits,  by 
which  the  edifice  took  name  for  half  a  century,  being  completed, 

Dec.  28. 

Marshals  make  known  result  of  a  canvass  of  the  city  showing:  ist 
Ward,  6,855  ;  2nd  Ward,  6,266 ;  3rd  Ward,  2,01 1  ;  4th  Ward, 
5,878;  5th  Ward,  3,206;  total,  24,216  persons,  Dec.  28. 

Common  Council  ballots  for  Mayor,  John  Townsend  receiving  9 

votes,  and  Francis  Bloodgood  12  votes;  whereupon  the  Board 

of  Aldermen  pronounce  Francis  Bloodgood  elected  Mayor  of 

Albany,  Dec.  29. 

•         •         • 

(See   No.   38.) 

(Continued  from  No.  38) 
1832. 


John  Townsend  having  been  elected  JNIayor  of  Albany  at  the  annual 
election  held  by  the  Common  Council  on  Dec.  29,  1831,  assumes 
office  as  the  successor  to  Mayor  Francis  Bloodgood,     Jan,   i. 

Daily  Craftsman  first  issued  by  Roberts  &  James,  editors,       Jan.  7. 

Philip  Hooker  resigns  as  city  surveyor,  and  Dr.  B.  P.  Staats  at 
Common  Council  meeting  offers  amendments  to  the  law  insti- 
tuting thus  two  surveyors, — for  northern  and  southern  districts, 
which  Is  passed,  and  George  W,  Carpenter  and  William  M. 
Cushman  are  thereupon  appointed,  Jan.  23. 


No.   2)7 ■  JOHN  TOWXSEND.  489 

1832. 

Several  hundred  tirenieii  ])cliti()n  the  Common  Council  to  prohibit 
the  misccUaneous  ringing"  of  bells  for  week-day  evening  worship, 
because  they  frequently  accepted  fire-alarms  as  church-bells  and 
received  fines  for  non-attendance,  resulting  in  the  law  that  bells 
for  church  sounded  after  twilight  be  tolled,  unless  rung  for 
fire,  Jan.  23. 

Cuyler  Staats,  aged  25  years,  dies,  Jan.  24. 

Mohaw'k  &  Hudson  railroad  reports  to  the  Legislature  that  $483,215 
had  been  expended  for  construction,  and  that  to  complete  it 
$156,693  was  required,  Jan.  28. 

Centennial  of  the  birth  of  George  Washington  celebrated,  the  89th 
and  246th  Regiments  banqueting  at  Crosby's  Long  Room  and 
Albany  Republican  Artillery  at  Foot's  Fort  Orange  Hotel.  Col. 
Peter  Gansevoort  presenting  to  the  latter  command  a  large 
brass  drum  captured  from  the  British  by  his  father,  Gen.  Peter 
Gansevoort,  on  Aug.  22,  1777,  at  Fort  Stanwix  (site  of  Rome, 
N.  Y.),  •  Feb.  22. 

Erastus  Youngs,  whose  stage-coaches  ran  in  every  direction  from 
Albany  doing  the  most  extensive  business  of  any,  age  48,  dies, 

March  ii. 

Common  Council  petitioned  by  Hugh  Robinson  and  others  to  open 
Dean  street  to  A/Jaiden  Lane,  March  12. 

Joseph  Alexander  and  James  L'Amoreux  petition  to  have  Hamilton 
street  opened  from  Eagle  to  Hawk  street,  March  12. 

Freshet  the  most  extensive  in  years,  carrying  away  several  buildings 
on  the  Pier  and  basin  bridges  thereto,  INIarch  12. 

Steamboat  Fame  of  Hudson  able  to  come  to  Albany ;  but  river  closed 
at  Redhook,  ]\Iarch  15. 

Washington  Centennial  (birthday)  celebration  committee  presents  a 
silver  pitcher  with  inscription  and  a  handsome  silver  salver 
engraved  w^ith  a  likeness  of  Washington  in  the  centre,  to  John 
Meads  in  recognition  of  his  artistic  skill  in  decorating  the 
City  Hall  on  the  occasion  of  the  grand  ball,  which  had  sur- 
passed anything  before  attempted  in  the  city,  (the  two  pieces 
passing  in  1904  to  Dr.  Howard  Van  Rensselaer  under  the  will 
of  Sarah  Aleads,  sister  of  the  recipient),  ]\Iarch  23. 

Ice  passes  out  at  Kinderhook,  open  navigation  to  New   York, 

March  25. 

Constitution  arrives,  the  first  of  season  from  New  York,    ]<*Iarch  26. 

Jury  for  assessing  property  required  to  open  State  street  from 
Broadway  to  the  river  report  damage  estimate  as  $98,708.55, 

April  3. 


490  JOHN    TOWNSEND.  No.    37. 

1832. 

Common  Council  undertakes  to  amend  the  law  that  allowed  hogs  to 
run  the  streets  at  large  since  the  city  was  chartered,  a  practice 
that  drew  from  Nathaniel  P.  Willis,  the  author,  the  expression 
"  more  Dutch  than  decent."  The  recorder  called  up  the  law 
that  had  been  tabled  for  a  year,  and  Alderman  Maher  adhered 
to  the  idea  that  at  large  they  acted  as  scavangers  for  the  city, 
while  pemiing  them  would  inflict  disease  among  the  poor  who 
kept  them,  while  Dr.  B.  P.  Staats  thought  it  unwholesome  to 
have  them  feed  so,  and  garbage  would  be  collected  by  men. 
Amendment  to  ring  the  pigs  lost  8  to  ii,  and  motion  to  confine 
prevailed,  to  take  effect  June  ist.  or  imposition  of  a  fine  of  $2, 

April  4. 

Committee  advertises  for  building  Albany  Orphan  Asylum,  April  16. 

Bank  of  Albany  charter  extended  to  1855. 

Common  Council  grants  quit  claim  deed  to  Methodist  Church  in 
Division  street  for  land  the  city  had  given  for  new  edifice  at 
corner  of  Plain  and  Hallenbake  (Grand)  street,  and  the  church 
now  desired  to  sell  the  lot^  April  20. 

New  Scotland  erected  from  Bethlehem,  April  25. 

Town  election  for  supervisors  and  assessors.  May  i. 

Stone  House  Tavern,  in  Beaver  street,  torn  down.  May  5. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad's  first  train,  the  first  passenger  railroad 
operated  by  steam  in  America,  over  the  entire  route,  the  train 
that  ran  first  on  Sept.  24,  1831,  was  operated  from  the  brow  of 
the  hill  east  of  Schenectady  and  to  the  "  Junction,"  Lydius 
street  (Madison  avenue)  and  Western  avenue;  but  this  time 
the  journey  was  over  a  completed  route  and  terminated  in 
Albany  at  Gansevoort  street.  The  train  on  coming  from  Sche- 
nectady was  greeted  by  cannon,  and  people  from  all  over  flocked 
beside  the  track  the  whole  distance.  May  14. 

Houses  on  Lodge  street,  between  Howard  and  Beaver  streets,  occu- 
pied by  noisy  disreputable  blacks  and  whites  torn  down  by  in- 
dignant citizens.  Mayor  Townsend  and  constable  looking  on, 
but  unable  to  quell  the  riot,  the  people  determined  to  raze  it  as 
the  only  remedy  likely  to  abate  a  long-continued  nuisance, 

Alay  14. 

Catherine  Maley  Hunter,  wife  of  Henry  D.  Hunter  and  daughter  of 
the  late  John  C.  Cuyler,  dies  at  Congress  Hall  hotel,      IMay  16. 

Cenotaph  of  marble  in  two  colors  placed  in  Second  Dutch  Church  in 
memory  of  Rev.  John  DeWitt,  its  earliest  pastor.  May  16. 

Steamboat  Novelty  makes  record  trip,  9  hr.  47  min.  from  New  York, 

May  31. 


No.   yj.  JOHN   TOWNSEND.  49 1 

1832. 

Joseph  Alexander  resigns  presidency  of  the  Commercial  Bank  and 
is  succeeded  by  Hon.  John  Townsend  as  its  second  executive, 

June  7. 

Rumored  that  Asiatic  cholera  had  appeared  at  Montreal  and  Quebec, 
accordingly  the  Common  Council  is  convened  to  take  precau- 
tions, and  directs  James  D.  Wasson  to  proceed  to  Whitehall  to 
observe  condition  of  emigrants  coming  that  way,  and  guards 
stationed  at  all  roads  entering  the  city  to  order  quarantine, 

June  13. 

Legislature  convenes  in  extra  session,  June  21. 

Special  Legislative  session  ends,  July  2. 

Mayor  Stevenson  issues  a  proclamation  forbidding  the  approach  of 
any  river  vessel  with  anyone  sick  aboard  nearer  than  one  mile 
below  the  South  ferry,  because  of  a  rumor  there  were  cholera 
cases  in  New  York,  July  3. 

John  Bradford,  aged  22,  the  first  case  of  death  by  cholera,      July  3. 

The  Theatre,  opened  for  a  summer  season  on  the  4th,  closed  because 
of  the  cholera  scare,  one  person  afraid  to  approach  another, 

July  10. 

Quantities  of  tar  burned  in  streets,  creating  gloominess,  with  the 
hope  of  abating  the  plague.     The  streets  and  stores  deserted, 

July  10. 

Gen.  John  H.  Wendell,  captain  under  Colonel  Van  Schaick  and  com- 
manding a  company  at  Battle  of  Monmouth  during  the  Revolu- 
tion, wearing  a  costume  of  that  period  up  to  this  time,  aged  80, 
dies,  July  10. 

David  Tinker,  despite  temperate  habits,  aged  30,  dies  of  cholera, 

July  10. 

Citizens  requested  to  be  about  at  9  a.  m.  to  burn  tar,  July  13. 

Foxen  kill,  mostly  an  open  creek  and  used  as  a  sewer,  complained  of 
as  a  nuisance,  July  13. 

Board  of  health  reports  28  new  cases  and  7  deaths,  July  13. 

New  cases  of  cholera  ly  and  deaths  6,  on  14th ;  6  deaths  on 

July  15- 
Common  Council  meets  in  daytime  fearing  night  assemblages,  and 
churches  abandon  evening  services,  July  15- 

Cholera  continues  to  rage,  on  i6th,  29  new  cases  and  7  deaths ;  on 
17th,  23  new  cases  and  8  deaths;  on  i8th.  21  new  cases  and  5 
deaths ;  on  19th,  20  new  cases  and  6  deaths ;  on  20th,  22  new 
cases  and  7  deaths;  on  21st,  40  new  cases  and  11  deaths;  on 
22nd,  19  new  cases  and  14  deaths;  on  23rd,  27  new  cases  and  5 
deaths ;  on  24th,  19  new  cases  and  10  deaths ;  on  25th,  o.j  new 
cases  and  7  deaths ;  on  26th,  32  new  cases  and  7  deaths  ;  on  27th, 


492  JOHN   TOWNSEND.  No.    ^il - 

1832. 

40  new  cases  and  13  deaths;  on  28th,  28  new  cases  and  18 
deaths,  being  the  greatest  in  one  day ;  on  29th,  35  new  cases  and 
17  deaths;  on  30th,  26  new  cases  and  10  deaths;  on  31st,  29 
new  cases  and  6  deaths;  total,  387  cases  of  cholera  and  136 
deaths  during  (28  days)  July,  in  a  population  of  about  26,000, 

Mayor  John  Towiisend  issues  a  proclamation  calling  for  a  day  of 
prayer,  fasting  and  humiliation,  Aug.  i. 

Majority  of  the  stores  closed  and  half  the  population  in  mourning, 
the  undertakers  hardly  able  to  cope  with  the  situation,  steam- 
boats and  stage-coaches  running  practically  empty,  and  farmers 
fearing  to  come  to  the  city,  a  dearth  in  provisions,  potatoes 
rising  from  25  cents  to  $1  a  bushel  for  that  reason,  Aug.  2. 

Day  observed  as  period  of  prayer,  with  all  stores  closed,  Aug.  3. 

Salem  Butcher,  a  prominent  citizen,  aged  60,  one  of  the  8  deaths,. 

Aug.  3. 

"Old  Jail  property"  bounded  by  State  (80  ft.),  Eagle  st.  (116  ft.) 
and  Maiden  Lane  (84  ft.)  sold  for  benefit  of  Albany  Academy, 

Aug.  II. 

Steamboat  Champlain  makes  record  trip  of  9  hrs.  49  mins.  up, 

Aug.  26. 

Wells  examined  by  Drs.  T.  R.  Beck  and  Philip  Ten  Eyck,  but  they 
are  declared  to  be  free  from  impurities,  Aug.  28. 

Cholera  having  been  almost  as  severe  in  August  as  during  July,  the 
situation  had  become  even  more  distressing ;  cases  in  this  month 
numbering  525  and  the  deaths  193,  making  a  total  for  the  two 
summer  months  alone,  1,147  cases  and  401  deaths,  average  of 
one-third  of  the  cases  proving  fatal,  Aug.  31. 

Lancaster  school  on  west  side  Of  Eagle  street  used  as  a  hospital  for 
cholera  patients,  the  Arsenal  far  north  on  Broadway  also, 

Sept.  I. 

Steamboat  Westchester  built  by  Smith  &  Dimon  of  New  York,  230 
tons,  134  X  23  X  8  feet. 

Ruttenkill  creek  (through  Hudson  ave.)   filled  in,  Eagle  to  Hawk. 

Albany's  first  band  of  music  organized. 

Lydius  House,  the  residence  of  Dominie  Lydius,  built  1657,  at  the 
n.  e.  corner  of  State  and  No.  Pearl  streets,  removed. 

Academy  Park  iron  railing,  about  9  feet  high,  set  in  a  coping  of 
marble  blocks  about  one  foot  high,  with  gates  at  the  four  sides, 
in  position  and  work  of  grading  completed,  the  gutters  from 
Lafayette  street  crossing  near  the  centre  as  a  stream  in  wet 
weather,  Sept.  15. 

New  York  State  Agricultural  Society  organized  here. 


No.   yj.  JOHN   TOWiXSEND.  493 

1832. 

Cholera  plague  over,  the  last  death  on  this  day,  Sept.  15. 

Prof.  Joseph  Henry  leaves  Albany  Academy  faculty  for  Princeton. 

Steamboat  Erie  built  by  Brown  &  Bell  of  New  York,  471  tons, 
180x28x9  feet. 

Steamboat  North  America,  racing  with  the  Chaniplain,  makes  a 
record,  coming  from  New  York  in  9  hrs.  18  mins.,        Sept.  22. 

Charter  election  for  aldermen  and  assistants  in  the  5  wards, 

Sept.  24. 

Daniel  L.  Van  Antwerp,  aged  60,  dies,  Oct.  2. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Erastus  Corning,  Jesse  G. 
Brush,  I.  John  T.  Norton,  Dyer  Lathrop,  II.  Elisha  W  Skin- 
ner, Tennis  Van  Vechten,  III.  Friend  Humphrey,  James  P. 
Gould,  IV.  James  Gibbons,  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  Jr.,  V. 
Election,  Sept.  25  ;  sworn  in,  Oct.  9. 

Joshua  Cotrell  establishes  a  fur  store  (Cotrell  &  Leonard  in  1900) 
at  No.  38  So.  Market  street  (Broadway). 

Bank  of  Albany  building  east  side  of  Broadway  at  foot  of  State 
street,  removed  to  permit  widening  of  latter  street  to  river,  and 
moves  into  No.  42  State  street. 

Temperance  societies  in  the  city  number  14,  with  membership  of 
4,164,  and  statistics  are  announced  to  show  that  with  about  400 
deaths  caused  by  cholera  only  two  of  the  fatal  cases  were  mem- 
bers of  temperance  societies,  Oct,  15. 

Peter  S.  Schuyler  dies,  Nov.  i. 

Close  of  three  days'  election  of  a  governor,  Albany  county  giving 
Gov.  Wm.  L.  Marcy  a  majority  of  49  over  Francis  Granger, 
and  for  the  President  Jackson  electoral  ticket  104  majority, 

Nov.  7. 

Meeting  of  citizens  at  the  City  Hall  results  in  subscription  commit- 
tees to  raise  money  for  famine  sufferers  Cape  Verde  islands, 

Nov.  13. 

William  James,  public-spirited  merchant,  aged  63,  dies,  Dec.  19. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Dec.  21. 

City  Hall's  cost  of  construction  (marble  edifice  with  gilded  dome) 

reported   to   the    Common    Council   as   $92,336.91,   the   county 

paying  $7,500  of  this  amount,  Dec.  27, 

Francis  Bloodgood  elected  by  the  Common  Council  to  succeed  John 

Townsend  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  Dec.  27. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  38.) 


No.  38. 


Jan.  1,  1831— Dec.  31,  1831. 

*  *  * 

Jan.  1,  1833  — Dec.  31,  1833. 


No.  38. 

FRANCIS    BLOODGOOD. 

Date,  of  .office:     (a)   Jan.  i,  1831 — Dec.  31,  1831. 
(b)   Jan.   I,  1833  — Dec.  31,   1833. 
Date  of  election:     (a)   December  29,  1830. 
(b)   December  27,  1832: 
Political  party:     Democratic. 
Vote:     (a)    12. 
(b)    14. 
Opponent:     (a)    John  Townsend. 
(b)   John  Townsend. 
Political  party:     Whig. 
Vote:     (a)   9. 

(b)    3- 
Total  vote:     (a)   21. 
(h)    17. 
Date  of  birth:     July  18,  1768. 

Parents:     James   (B.)  and  Lydia  Van  Valkenburgh. 
Education:     Yale. 
Married  to:     (a)   Eliza  Cobham. 

(b)   Anna  Shoemaker  (Morris). 
Date:     (a)   September  15,  1792. 

(b)    November  3,  1823. 
Children:     (a)    (2)   Margaret    (Hall),    Anna    Maria    (Paige),    m, 
44th  Mayor  (2nd  husband,  Major  William), 
(b)   None. 
Residence:     No.  11 1  State  street. 
Occupation:     Lawyer. 
Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 
Date  of  death:     March  5,  1840. 
Place  of  burial:     Vale  Cemetery,  Schenectady. 
Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Clerk  of  Supreme  Court.  The  2d  President  of  New 
York  State  Bank.  President  Albany  Insurance  Company. 
Noted  for  integrity. 


38.     FRANCIS  BLOODGOOD. 
1833. 
From  a  photograph  made  by  Floyd  from  the  oil  painting  by  Ames,  owned 
in  1904  by  his  grandchildren   (Paige)   in  Schenectady. 


No.    38.  FRANCIS  BLOODGOOD.  497 

1831. 

(Continued  from  No.  37.) 
1831. 


Francis  Bloodgood  having  been  elected  Mayor  of  Albany  on  Dec. 
29,  1830.  he  is  sworn  into  office  and  signalizes  the  event  by 
paying  all  the  debts  of  those  confined  in  jail  as  debtors,    Jan.  i. 

Applications  made  to  the  Legislature  for  the  construction  of  a  bridge 
across  the  Hudson  at  Albany  and  to  incorporate  a  medical  col- 
lege and  hospital,  Jan.  i. 

Museum  removed  from  the  old  City  Hall  building,  n.  e.  corner  of 
Broadway  and  Hudson  avenue,  to  the  new  marble  pillar  build- 
ing of  Thorpe  and  Sprague,  n.  w.  corner  of  Broadway  and 
State  street,  Jan.  i. 

Soup-house  opened  in  City  Hall  basement  and  200  apply.     Jan.  28. 

William  L.  Marcy  resigns  position  of  Judge  of  Supreme  Court  and 
Legislature  elects  him  Lnited  States  Senator  for  6  vears, 

Feb.  I. 

Abraham  Keyser  is  elected  State  Treasurer.  Feb.  i. 

Common  Council  authorizes  city  chamberlain  to  issue  licenses  to 
four  chinmey-sweepers,  Feb.  7. 

Proposals  for  excavating  Patroon  street  (Clinton  avenue),     Feb.  7. 

Partial  eclipse  of  sun  witnessed,  Feb.  12. 

Common  Council  orders  paving  of  Lydius  street  (^Madison  avenue) 
from  So.  Pearl  street  westward,  Feb.  21. 

Fires  during  year  ended  numbered  only  two,  seven  alarms, 

]\Iarch  I. 

Gen.  Philip  Henry  Slieridan  born  in  this  city,  on  Canal  street  (Sher- 
idan avenue),  March  6. 

B.  P.  Staats  and  others  petition  the  Common  Council  to  widen 
Green  street  between  State  and  Beaver  streets;  Margaret 
Cooper  objects,  March  7. 

Mr.  Seymour  recommends  that  lots  be  set  aside  for  building  of 
schoolhouses,  as  1,694  scholars  had  attended  district  schools 
during  the  previous  year,  March  7. 

Resolution  by  Barnum  Whipple  passed  by  Common  Council,  that 
the  City  Chamberlain  advertise  a  reward  of  $500  to  the  person 
discovering  a  coal  mine  of  good  and  sufficient  quantity  to 
supply  the  city,  ^vithin  five  miles  of  the  river  north  of  Pough- 
keepsie,  March  7. 

Effort  made  to  have  Pine  street  opened  from  Broadway  to  Chapel 
street,  the  expense  estimated  at  from  $45,000  to  $60,000;  but 
It  was  compared  with  the  stupidity  of  opening  Clinton  Square, 

March  9. 


498  FRANCIS   BLOODGOOD.  No.    38. 

1831. 

Common  Council  decides  to  widen  Green  street  by  taking  a  certain 
widtli  from  the  east  side,  March  lo. 

Resolved  to  raise  money  by  tax  for  support  of  schools,       March  lO. 

Rev.  William  B.  Lacey's  wife,  Hannah,  aged  38,  dies,       March  11. 

River  opens,  March  15. 

Swiftsure  and  Constitution  first  boats  to  arrive,  March  17. 

Rutger  Bleecker  dies,  March  17. 

Common  Council  resolves  to  widen  Green,  State  to  Division  street, 

March  24. 

Citizens  meet  at  "  Old  "  Capitol  and  advocate  a  branch  of  the  new 
I\Iohawk  &  Hudson  railroad  running  down  Washington  avenue 
to  State  street  from  a  junction  out  on  Western  avenue,  Har- 
manus  Bleecker  introducing  a  resolution  to  that  effect.  The 
turnpikes  were  represented  by  John  L.  Wendell,  who  was  voted 
down,  March  28. 

Paul  Clark,  keeper  of  the  famous  tavern  called  Paul  Clarke's  Cor- 
ner, aged  67  years,  dies,  March  28. 

Albany  Orphan  Asylum  incorporated,  March  30. 

Jonah  Scovel,  Revolutionary  soldier,  who  raised  a  company  of 
yeomanry  in  Connecticut  and  marched  them  to  Stillwater,  aged 
81,  dies,  April  i. 

Common  Council  grants  two  acres  at  north  end  of  Washington 
square  for  an  orphan  asylum  building,  April  4. 

Albany  Pier  covered  by  two  and  a  half  feet  of  water,  April  7. 

Military  men  meet  at  Crosby's  Hotel,  s.  w.  corner  So.  Pearl  and 
Beaver  streets,  and  name  committee  to  remonstrate  with  Com- 
mon Council  against  use  of  any  part  of  Washington  Parade 
Ground  for  orphan  asylum,  April  9. 

Professor  Joseph  Henry's  paper  on  an  electric  telegraph  printed. 

Firemen's  Insurance  Co.,  Jas.  Stevenson,  Pres.,  incorporated, 

April  23. 

Legislature  adjourns,  session  of  sixteen  weeks,  passing  act  abolish- 
ing imprisonment  for  debt,  April  26. 

Broad  street  changed  from  ]\Ialcolm  street. 

South  Ferry  first  operated  by  steam. 

Isaac  J.  Fryer,  long  an  alderman,  aged  64,  dies.  May  10. 

William  Thornburn  (later  becoming  Price  &  Reed  and  in  1900  Geo. 
H.  Reed)  establishes  a  seed  store  corner  Broadway  and  INIaiden 
Lane. 

Fur  shop  of  Packer,  Prentice  &  Co.  on  the  Pier  destroyed  by  fire 
with  loss  of  $i2,oao.  May  12. 

Mechanics  &  Farmers'  bank  stock  selling  at  $141.50  and  United 
States  Bank,  New  York  city,  stock  at  $128.36,  the  latter  being 
the  highest  quoted  in  the  metropolis,  May  19. 


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No.    38.  FRANCIS   ISLOODGOOD.  499 

1831. 

Gerrit  G.  Lansing,  a  brother  of  Chancellor  Lansing,  born  in  Albany 
in  1761,  and  a  lieutenant  under  Colonel  Hamilton  at  the  battle 
of  Yorktown,  moved  to  Oriskany  in  1802  and  dies  there, 

May  29. 

William  Landon  takes  over  the  Park  Place  House,  later  known  as 
Congress  Hall,  40  rooms,  Ji-ine  10. 

The  steam  ferry  procured  by  John  Townsend  proves  its  usefulness 
by  carrying  on  tliis  day  344  teams  and  8  stages,  180  crossings, 

June  24. 

Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  applies  to  Common  Council  for  per- 
mit to  solicit  subscriptions  for  a  new  edifice  in  Westerlo  street, 

June  27. 

Petition  to  Common  Council  by  John  H.  Wendell  and  William  B. 
Winne  to  change  name  of  No.  High  street  to  Ten  Broeck 
street,  June  2^. 

Hallenbake  (Grand  street)  ordered  pitched  from  Beaver  street  to 
Lydius  street   (Madison  avenue),  June  27. 

During  celebration  of  Independence  Day  a  canister  placed  before 
the  door  of  Mayor  Bloodgood's  residence  exploded  and  broke 
the  windows;  reward  of  $100  offered,  perpetrators  caught  and 
punished,  July  4. 

Dome  of  the  new  City  Hall  having  been  elaborately  gilded  by  Joseph 
Davis,  the  scaft'olding  is  removed  amidst  loud  cheering,    July  4. 

William  Barney  and  others  petition  to  have  Lydius  street  (Madison 
avenue)  paved  from  Eagle  to  Lark  street,  July  n. 

Population  of  Cohoes  at  this  time  nearly  150  persons,  July  15. 

New  City  Hall,  marble  with  a  gilded  dome  (Eagle  and  Pine  streets 
and  Maiden  Lane)  first  used  for  a  meeting  of  the  Common 
Council,  previous  to  this  time  rooms  in  the  ("Old")  Capitol 
had  been  used,  the  city  having  borne  part  of  building  expense, 

July  25. 

Name  of  No.  High  street  changed  to  Ten  Broeck  street  in  honor  of 
the  distinguished  General  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  July  25. 

Paving  ordered  on  Lydius  street  (Madison  avenue)  from  So.  Pearl 
to  Lark  street,  and  Hudson  avenue  from  Pearl  to  Eagle  street, 

July  25. 

Locomotive  De  Witt  Clinton  arrives  for  use  on  the  Mohawk  &  Hud- 
son, the  first  passenger  railroad  in  the  country,  July  25. 

Mansion  House,  formerly  Rockwell's,  re-opened  by  J.  P.  Bradstreet. 

July  2j. 

A  bell  cast  at  Aspinwall's  foundry  on  Beaver,  east  of  Green,  weight 
2,600,  and  4  ft.  2  in.  diameter,  said  to  be  the  largest  in  western 
part  of  the  state,  being  destined  for  Episcopal  church,  Roches- 
ter, July  27. 


500  FRANCIS   BLOODGOOD.  No.    38. 

1831. 

Locomotive  DeWitt  Clinton  placed  on  rails,  July  2^. 

DeWitt  Clinton  locomotive  tested  on  Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad, 

Aug.  9. 

Albany  Literary  Gazette  published  by  James  D.  Nicholson  and 
edited  by  John  P.  Jermain,  Sept.  7. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad  between  Albany  and  Schenectady,  first 
steam  passenger  railroad  in  America,  and  at  other  places  only 
tram-cars  drawn  by  steam  propulsion,  first  tested,  ordinary 
horse  coaches,  made  by  James  Goold  at  his  factory  at  the  foot 
of  Division  street,  drawn  by  locomotive  DeWitt  Clinton, 

Sept.  12. 

Justus  Wright  applies  for  the  Society  of  Friends  (Shakers)  to  Com- 
mon Council  for  grant  of  land  for  house  of  worship,     Sept.  19. 

Wm.  M.  Cushman  makes  a  survey  for  the  Schenectady  turnpike 
company  with  the  view  of  converting  the  same  into  a  railroad 
route,  Sept.  22. 

Excursion  given  over  the  Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad  to  Schenec- 
tady to  state  and  city  officials  and  a  few  prominent  citizens,  in- 
cluding Gov.  Enos  T.  Throop,  Mayor  Francis  Bloodgood 
Lieut.-Gov.  Edward  P.  Livingston,  Senator  Charles  E.  Dudley', 
Comptroller  Azariah  C.  Flagg,  ex-Gov.  Joseph  C.  Yates,  Chan- 
cellor Reuben  H.  Walworth,  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  Thurlow 
Weed,  Simeon  DeWitt  Bloodgood,  Erastus  Corning,  Lewis 
Benedic"",  John  Townsend,  Joseph  Alexander,  John  Meigs, 
Judge  Jesse  Buel,  John  L  Boyd,  William  Bay,  L.  H.  Tuppci' 
and  "^¥illi?m  B.  Winne.  The  chief  engineer  was  John  B.  Jer- 
vis,  resident  engineer  was  John  T.  Clark,  who  officiated  as  con- 
ductor, and  John  Hampson  was  fireman.  Start  was  made  from 
what  was  long  known  as  the  Junction,  converging  point  of 
Western  and  Madison  avenues,  Sept.  24. 

Common  Council  appoints  Peter  V.  Shankland  chamberlain, 

Sept.  2'J, 

James  E.  Thompson,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  71,  dies, 

Sept.  30. 

Mayor's  Court  first  held  in  the  new  City  Hall  (marble  exterior) 
with  Recorder  James  McKown  presiding,  John  Van  Ness 
Yates  was  attorney  in  the  cause,  Oct.  4. 

Commercial  Bank  made  depository  for  state  funds. 

Meeting  at  City  Coffee  House  (site  of  Delavan  House,  later  Union 
station)  to  bring  about  closing  of  stores  at  8  p.  m.,  Oct.  7. 

Common  Council  receives  petition  to  widen  State  street  between 
Broadway  and  the  river  frr^m  35  to  70  feet,  and  at  Quay  street 
from  43  to  70  feet,  as  it  was  bordered  by  wooden  buildings 
only,  Oct.  II. 


No.  38.  FRANCIS  nLooncooD.  501 

1831. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Barent  P.  Staats,  Erastus 
Corning-,  I.  William  Seymour,  Seth  Hastings,  II.  Elislia  W. 
W.  Skinner,  Isaac  W.  Staats,  III.  James  Maher,  Lemuel 
Steele.  IV.  James  Gibbons,  Stephen  \^an  Rensselaer,  Jr.,  V. 
Election,  Sept  27;  sworn  in,  Oct.  11. 

Rev.  John  DeWitt,  former  pastor  of  Dutch  Church  on  Beaver  street, 
born  at  Catskill,  dies  at  Brunswick,  .N.  J.,  aged  42  years,  Oct.  12. 

The  state  requiring  an  active  militia  and  drills,  the  plan  is  ridiculed 
by  a  mock  parade  with  a  burlesque  regiment.  Oct.  15. 

A  vessel  constructed  as  a  packet  for  Havre  but  entered  into  the 
government  service,  on  completion  at  New  York  is  christened 
Albany,  Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  breaking  a  bottle  of  wdne 
upon  her  bow  as  he  pronounces  the  name,  Oct.  25. 

Mayor  Bloodgood  proposed  the  purchase  of  firewood  for  the  poor 
to  use  in  wdnter  and  on  Mr.  Coming's  resolution  $600  was 
appropriated  for  the  purpose,  Oct.  25. 

Grand  jury  having  visited  the  jail  recommends  a  new  one,  the 
present  building  having  been  in  use  since  1809  and  was  fast 
decaying,  the  prisoners  numbering  at  the  time  56,  Nov.  i, 

Common  Council  resolves  to  take  33  feet  from  the  Arsenal  lots  and 
14  feet  from  property  of  Gilbert  Davis,  to  open  a  street  from 
Broadway  to  Montgomery  and  name  it  DeWitt  street,     Nov.  3. 

Common  Council  decides  to  widen  State  street,  below  Broadway, 

Nov.    14. 

Mayor  Bloodgood,  Recorder  AIcKown,  and  aldermen  make  formal 
presentation  of  the  set  of  colors  to  the  packet  Albany,  as  pro- 
vided by  resolution  of  Oct.  24th,  and  partake  of  a  bountiful 
repast,  ^ov.  17. 

Hosford  &  Wait  unite  the  "  Christain  Register  "  with  the  '*  Journal  " 
of  Utica,  issuing  the  "Journal  and  Telegraph."  Nov.  21. 

Common  Council  orders  crosswalk  over  State  street  on  east  side  oi 
Lodge  street  in  spite  of  considerable  opposition  from  those  who 
thought  the  "  Church  and  State  "  walk  (so  called  because  paid 
for  bv  St.  Peter's  church  and  the  state)  was  sufficient  there, 

Nov.  28. 

Common  Council  authorizes  construction  of  Academy  Park,  with 
iron  fence,  citizens  having  subscribed  $3,200  for  the  purpose, 
the  movement  being  agitated  by  Dr.  Barent  P.  Staats  and  Jas. 
Maher,  ^  Nov.  28. 

Apportionments  confirmed  for  paving  Lydius  street  (Madison  ave) 
from  So.  Pearl  st.  to  Hallenbake  (Grand)  street,  Nov.  28. 

Capt.  Peter  Dox,  born  at  Albany  in  1742,  a  participant  in  French 
and  Indian  War  and  later  in  the  Revolution,  dies  at  Hoi:»eton, 
Yates  CO.,  N.  Y.,  aged  89  years,  Nov.  28. 


502  FRANCIS    BLOODGOOD.  No.    38. 

1831-1833. 


John  Stihvell.  many  years  alderman,  assemblyman  in  1824,  major- 
general  of  artillery,  aged  52,  dies,  Dec.  2. 
Francis   Bloodgood  and   Gideon   Hawley   officiate   at   meeting   dis- 
cussing sending  delegates  to  Leedsville  to  promote  a  railroad  to 
New  York,  Dec.  2. 
River  closed  to  navigation,                                                             Dec.  5. 
Fifth  Presbyterian  Church  organized,  Rev.  Alfred  Welton,  pastor, 

Dec.    5. 

Thomas  Kendall,  first  manufacturer  of  thermometers  in  this  country 

and  celebrated  the  world  over,  dies,  Dec.  11. 

Common  Council  elects  John  Townsend  Mayor,  Dec.  29. 

•     •     • 
(See  No.  T^y.) 


(Continued  from  No.  2)7 ■) 
1833. 


Francis  Bloodgood,  having  been  elected  by  a  vote  of  the  Common 
Council  on  Dec.  27,  1832,  to  be  Mayor  of  Albany,  takes  the  oath 
of  office  and  delivers  an  address  in  which  he  speaks  of  the 
growth  of  the  city  in  material  prosperity,  and  presents  an  elabo- 
rate statement  of  its  financial  condition,  Jan.  i. 

Legislature  meets  and  hears  message  of  Gov.  Wm.  L.  Marcy,  Jan.  i. 

Steamboat  arrives  from  New  York  with  mails,  Jan.  5. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad  cars  commence  running  from  the  head 
of  State  street,  the  station  being  within  about  fifty  feet  of  n.  e. 
corner  of  State  and  Eagle  streets,  whence  each  car  or  carriage 
was  drawn  by  single  horse  to  the  Junction,  (Western  and  Madi- 
son avenues)  with  the  track  running  down  to  Gansevoort  street. 
Locomotives  were  attached  at  the  Junction,  where  they  received 
wood  and  water.    Stock  at  this  time  selling  at  $1.25,         Jan.  8. 

Steamboat  Wadsworth  departs  and  river  closes  again,  Jan.  10. 

Robert  Dunlop's  malt  house  on  Orange  street  burned,  Jan.  21. 

Reported  to  Common  Council  cholera  expenses  were  $18,000, 

Jan.  21. 

Anna  Pruyn,  much  esteemed,  70  No.  Pearl  and  Maiden  Lane,  dies, 

Feb.  3. 

Yates  &  Mclntvre  announce  to  discontinue  lottery  next  vear, 

Feb.  6. 

Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck  reads  paper  showing  by  his  records  that  mean 
temperature  here  is  49.4,  during  17  years,  and  less  snow  than 
vicinity,  Feb.  7. 


No.    38.  FRANCIS  BLOOUGOOD.  503 


1833. 


Benjamin  Knower's  wife,  Sarah,  mother-in-law  of  Gov.  ]\larcy,  dies, 

Feb.  19. 

Reported  to  Legislature  that  cost  of  constructing  Alohawk  &  Hud- 
son railroad  was  $42,600  per  mile ;  Schcn.  &  Saratoga  $22,000, 

Feb.  19. 

Archibald  McClure  and  Geo.  Dexter  form  a  drug  firm,         March  i. 

Subscriptions  raising  for  new  Female  Academy,  No.  Pearl  St., 

March  4. 

River  open  before  the  city,  March  21. 

Paul  Cushman,  aged  78,  dies,  March  28. 

John  Wilson,  maker  of  geographical  globes  that  were  acknowledged 
by  the  foreign  manufacturers  to  be  best  in  the  world,  aged  39, 
dies,  March   18. 

Athenaeum  closes  for  lack  of  patronage,  April  22. 

Rev.  Horatio  Potter  installed  rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,    May  ii. 

Greatest  freshet  of  years ;  lower  Broadway  navigated  by  scows  to 
State  St.     Damage  to  1 1  farms  on  Van  Rensselaer  Is.  .$6,000, 

May  14. 

Freshet  subsides,  showing  all  vegetation  gone.  May  17. 

Benjamin  D.  Packard,  bookseller ;  had  recently  begun  publication  of 
The  Albany  Evening  Journal,  aged  54,  dies.  May  18. 

Hudson  River  Association  Line  formed  by  consolidation. 

Cornelius  Van  Rensselaer's  wife,  Eveline,  dan.  of  Leonard  Ganse- 
voort,  aged  40,  dies,  May  25. 

Common  Council  raises  chamberlain's  salary  to  $1,000  and  that  of 
the  poormaster  to  $500,  June  4. 

Vanderheyden  house  demolished  as  site  for  Baptist  church,  west  side 
of  North  Pearl  st.,  south  of  Maiden  Lane,  June  5. 

Albany  Female  Lund}^  Society  organized,  June  19. 

John  B.  Southwick,  son  of  Solomon  Southwick,  aged  28,  dies, 

June   23. 

Spring  street  directed  to  be  opened  Hawk  to  Swan  street,     June  24. 

Independence  Day  oration  by  Adj. -Gen.  Levi  Hubbel,  and  Declara- 
tion read  by  John  V.  L.  Pruyn,  24  Schenectady  girls  depicting 
states,  July  4. 

Subscription  books  opened  for  a  railroad  to  connect  with  New  York, 

July  II, 

Considerable  difficulty  between  the  city  and  those  who  owned  swine, 
and  particular  attention  given  to  it  by  suit  of  the  chamberlain 
against  James  Blackall  to  recover  $6  as  a  fine  for  allowing 
them  to  roam.  The  defense  claimed  it  was  a  greater  evil  to 
have  pigs,  confined  near  dwellings  instead  of  roaming  and 
eating  garbage,  and  furthermore  that  the  city's  employee,  "  Pig 


504  FRANCIS   BLOODGOOD.  No.    38. 

1833. 

Baker,"  connived  to  liberate  pigs  from  the  pound  that  he  might 
again  impound  them,  July   16. 

Universalist   Church,   Green   street,   corner-stone   laid,          July  25. 

Grand  Jury  recommends  converting  Lancaster  school  into  work- 
house, Aug.   6. 

Grain  worm  and  weevil  constitute  serious  plague. 

New  York  &  Erie  railroad  commenced. 

Stanwix  Hall  being  erected  at  s.  e.  corner  Broadway  and  Maiden 
Lane,  named  in  honor  of  Brig-Gen.  Peter  Gansevoort  who  had 
distinguished  himself  at  Fort  Stanwix  (Rome,  N.  Y.)  and  died 
in  1 81 2.  The  name  first  carved  on  the  stone  tablet  on  Broad- 
way side  was  The  Pavilion. 

Chas.  F.  Durant  ascends  5,000  feet  in  balloon,  alights  at  New  Scot- 
land, Aug.  8. 

City  surveyor  reports  cost  of  $60,000  to  raise  grade  of  tliat  territory 
between  the  river.  So.  Ferry  and  So.  Pearl  streets,       Aug.  19. 

Philip  Van  Rensselaer,  who  lived  at  Cherry  Hill,  southern  part  of 
city,  was  commissary  during  Revolution  and  had  charge  of 
stores  for  the  Northern  army  which  he  kept  on  east  side  of 
Middle  Lane  (James  st.)  about  100  feet  north  of  State  st. 
While  digging  foundation  for  new  livery  of  Wasson  &  Jewell, 
many  loaded  bombs  found  there,  Aug.  20. 

Charter  election  for  aldermen  and  assistants,  Sept.  24. 

Albany  Burgesses'  Corps  organized,  Oct.  8. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  John  E.  Lovett,  Levi  Cornell, 
L  Seth  Hastings,  James  D.  Wasson,  H.  Tennis  Van  Vechten 
( Lsaac  W.  Staats,  vice  T.  Van  Vechten,  resigned),  HL  Israel 
Williams,  HL  Lemuel  Steele,  James  Maher,  IV.  John  N. 
Ouackenbush,  James  Gibbons,  V.  Election,  Sept.  24 ;  sworn 
in,  Oct.   8. 

Albany  Library  released  from  all  debt  by  contributions,  makes 
agreement  to  use  rooms  in  Female  i\cadeniy  building  on  No. 
Pearl  st.  Later  these  books  became  merged  with  the  school's 
library,  Nov.  i. 

Adam  and  Eve,  great  moral  paintings,  exhibited  at  City  Hall,  at- 
tracting imusual  attention,  the  profits  of  one  day  ($38)  desig- 
nated for  any  charity  the  mayor  might  select,  Nov.  I. 

Common  Council  decides  not  to  open  Hudson  avenue  above  Eagle, 

Nov.  4. 

Albany  Orphan  asylum,  Western  ave.   and   Robin  st.,  opened. 

Dr.  March  secures  promise  of  gift  after  death  to  Albany  Medical 
College  of  body  of  Calvin  Edson,  "  Living  Skeleton,"  age  45 
years  and  his  weight  only  45  pounds,  exhibited  at  the  Museum. 


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No.    38.  FRANCIS  BLOODGOOD.  505 

1833. 

Attempt  made  again  (first  time  in  1825)  to  introduce  gas  into 
Albany  by  a  company ;  but  once  more  a  failure. 

Hibernia  Providential  Society  incorporated. 

Albany  Female  Academy  site  on  North  Pearl  street,  between  ]\Iaiden 
Lane  and  Steuben  street  on  west  side  (No.  40)  procured. 

Henry  Clay,  great  American  statesman,  arrives  and  is  escorted  to 

the  Eagle  Tavern,  s.  e.  cor.  Broadway  and  Hamilton  St.,  where 

■  he  is  addressed  by  the  Mayor  on  behalf  of  the  city,  by  Ambrose 

Spencer  for  the  older  men  and  John  B.  Van  Schaick  for  young 

men,  Nov.  14. 

Henry  Clay  visits  the  City  Hall  in  the  morning,  where  Amos  Dean 
presents  him  with  a  splendid  cloak  made  by  Relyea  &  Wright  in 
three  hours,  and  seeing  places  of  interest  leaves  in  afternoon, 

Nov.  15, 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad  extends  tracks  down  centre  of  State 
street  in  order  to  comply  with  charter  and  shut  out  turnpike, 

Nov.  15. 

Triangle  of  land  formed  by  Washington  ave.  and  the  Bowery  (Cen- 
tral ave.)  is  fenced  in  by  nearby  dwellers  and  given  the  name 
of  Washington  park  with  the  idea  of  erecting  a  Washington 
statue  therein ;  but  the  name  is  changed  later  by  the  city  to 
Townsend  park  in  honor  of  Mayor  John  Townsend,       Nov.  20. 

Benj.  F.  Butler,  recent  law  partner  of  Martin  Van  Buren  at  No.  in 
State,  (formed  May  26,  1817)  leaves  city  for  govern't  position, 

Nov.  26. 

Israel  Smith  reports  as  treasurer  of  Infant  School  Society  that  there 
were  400  scholars  at  the  three  schools  and  the  six  teachers 
were  paid  a  total  of  $1,050  as  salaries,  sundries  $100. 

Dec.  4. 

Young  men  meet  in  the  Mayor's  Court  Room  on  the  call  of  Amos 
Dean,  and  form  the  Young  Men's  Association  for  mutual  im- 
provement, contemplating  a  library  and  courses  of  lectures ;  a 
constitution  adopted  and  750  young  men  enroll,  Dec.  10. 

Amos  Dean   elected  first  president  of  the  Y.  M.  A.,  220  present, 

Dec,   13. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Dec.  13. 

Erastus  Corning  elected  Mayor  at  a  meeting  of  the  Common 
Council,  the  vote  being:  Erastus  Corning,  12;  Francis  Blood- 
good,  8,  Dec.  23. 

•     •     • 

(See   No.   39.) 


No.  39. 


iErafitua  (Enrnittg. 


Jan.  1,  1834  — Dec.  31.  1834. 
Jan.  1,  1835— Dec.  31,  1835. 
Jan.  1,  1836  Jan.  1,  1837. 
Jan.  2.   1837  — May  14,   1837. 


No.  39. 
ERASTUS    CORNING. 
Date  of  oifice:     (a)   January  i,  1834-December  31,  1834. 

(b)  January  i,  1835-December  31,  1835. 

(c)  January  i,  1836-January  i,  1837. 

(d)  January  2,  1837-May  14,  1837.     (resigns), 
Date  of  election:     (a)   December  23,  1833. 

(b)  December  30,  1834. 

(c)  December  21,  1835. 

(d)  December  19,  1836. 


Political  party:     Democrat. 

Political  pa. 

rty: 

VVhi 

Vote:     (a)    12. 

Vote: 

(a) 

8. 

(b)    14. 

(b) 

0. 

(c)    10.                                           1 

(c) 

8. 

(d)    10. 

(d) 

7- 

Opponent:     (a)    Francis  Bloodgood. 

Total 

vote: 

(a) 

20. 

(b)    None. 

(b) 

14. 

(c)   Francis  Bloodgood. 

(c) 

18. 

(d)   Teunis  A^an  Vechten.  ' 

(d) 

17- 

Date  of  birth:     December  14,  1794. 

Place  of  birth:     Norwich,  Conn. 

Parents:     Bliss  (C.)  and  Lucinda  Smith. 

Education:    Academies  at  Norwich  and  Chatham. 

Married  to:     Harriet  Weld. 

Date:     Roxbury,  Mass.,  March  10,  1819. 

Children:  (5)  Benjamin  Smith,  John  Spencer,  Erastus,  Joseph 
Weld,  Edwin  Weld. 

Residence:     No.  102  State  street. 

Occupation:     President  of  Iron  Works  at  Troy. 

Religion:     Episcopalian. 

Date  of  death:    April  8,  1872. 

Place  of  death:     No.  102  State  street. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Chancellor. 

Remarks:  Came  to  Albany  in  1814.  Alderman,  1828.  Projector 
of  the  Mohawk  and  Hudson  Railroad  in  1831,  one  of  the  first 
railroads  in  the  United  States.  Vice-President  New  York 
State  Bank,  1833.  Regent,  February  5,  1833-72.  State 
Senator,  1842-46.  Delegate  to  National  Democratic  Conven- 
tions, Baltimore,  1848  and  1852.  First  President  of  the 
Utica  and  Schenectady  Railroad,  to  1854.  On  consolidation 
of  New  York  Central  Railroad,  its  first  President,  1854-65. 
Delegate  to  Peace  Convention,  Washington,  February,  1861. 
Delegate  to  Constitutional  Convention,  1867.  Vice-Chan- 
cellor,  April  21,  1870.  38th  Congress.  Philanthropist. 
Lover  of  art.  Descended  from  French  De  Cornu  family. 
Proprietor  of  rolling  mills  at  Troy  providing  plates  for  the 
historic  "  Monitor." 


39.     ERASTUS  CORi\IXG. 
1834-1837. 
From  a  photograph  by  Floyd  of  the  oil  painting  made  by  Asa  W.  Twitchell, 
and  owned  by  him  in  1904. 


No.    39.  ERASTUS  CORNING.  5^9 

1834. 


(Continued  from  No.  38.) 
1834. 


Common  Council  meets  and  Erastus  Corning  qualifies  as  Mayor, 

Jan.  I. 

Hon.  Daniel  D.  Barnard  delivers  first  address  before  Young  Men's 
Association  at  Knickerbocker  Hall,  Jan.  7. 

Legislature  meets,  receiving  message  of  Gov.  Wm.  L.  Alarcy. 

Jan.  7. 

Albany  City   Bank  petitions   for   incorporation   by   Legislature. 

Jan.   8. 

Azariah  C.  Flagg  appointed  State  Comptroller,  Jan.   11. 

Abram  Covert's  morocco  factory,  Fox  St.,  destroyed,  $7,000, 

Jan.  21. 

Chancellor   Lansing's   widow,    Cornelia,    aged   76   years,    dies, 

Jan.  24. 

Hezekiah  Sage,  contractor  for  excavating  Gallows  Hill,  (Eagle  and 
State)  petitions  Common  Council  to  release  one-eighth  to  hnn, 

Jan.  27. 

St.  Mary's  (R.  C.)  church  deed  granted  by  city,  for  its  lot,    Jan.  27. 
Georcre   W    Welch   appointed    superintendent   of   Aims-House, 

Jan.  27. 

Mechanics   &  Farmers'   Bank   elects   Charles   E.   Dudley   president 

Feb.  3. 
pro  tem,  ^ 

Fire  m  upper  room  of  City  Hall  that  was  at  n.  e.  cor.  Broadway  and 

Hudson  ave.,  and  two  cadavers  for  dissection  discovered, 

Feb.  8. 

River  opens.  Constellation  arriving  next  day,  Feb.  24. 

William  Forrest,  sometime  associated  with  Wm.  Dufify  managing 

the  Albany  theatre,  brother  of  Edwin  Forrest,  actor,  dies  at 

Philadelphia.  .^^-^rch  3. 

Peter  Allenson  petitions  Common  Council,  being  old  resident  and 

poor,  to  make  coffins  (for  paui)crs)   and  city  lamp-posts. 

^  March   10. 

Aid  Wasson  introduces  bill  to  penalize  $3  for  hogs  running  at  large 
unless  ringed,  objected  to  by  the  poor  as  hardship.     March  10. 

Daily  News  issued  first  by  Hunter  &  Hofifman,   non-partisan. 
^  April   5. 

George  W    Carpenter  elected  city  surveyor  by  Common   Council, 
'^  April   7. 

Albany  City  Bank  incorporating  bill  passes.  Senate  23  to  7. 


5IO  ERASTUS  CORNING.  No.    39. 

1834. 

Solomon  Southwick  publishes  "A  Layman's  Apology  for  the  Ap- 
pointment of  Clerical  Chaplains  by  the  Legislature,"  to  refute 
arguments  of  Thomas  Hertell  who  wished  chaplains  excluded 
from  Legislature,  April  25. 

Publishing  firm  of  Webster  &  Skinners  dissolved,  Clias.  li.  Webster 
retiring  and  E.  W.  &  C.  Skinner  continuing.  May  i. 

Legislature  adjourns,  a  session  of  4  mos.,  6  days.  ]\Tay  6. 

Albany  Female  Academy's  third  building  (west  side  of  No.  Pearl 
St.,  bet.  Maiden  Lane  and  .Steuben  st.)   opened  and  dedicated, 

May  12. 

Wesley  Chapel  (M.  E.)  Church,  Dallius  and  Bleecker,  organized. 

May. 

People's  Line  of  steamboats  established  as  a  day  line.  May. 

West  Chester,  first  boat  of  People's  Line,  put  on.  May. 

Albany  City  Bank's  subscription  books  opened,  and  $2B3,300  towaids 
its  capital  of  $500,000  subscribed,  June  9. 

Albany  City  Bank  stock  subscriptions  run  to  $678,200,       June  10. 

Albany  City  Bank  stock  books  close,  amounting  to  $1,142,900, 

June  II. 

Mechanics  &  Farmers'  Bank  elects  Ezra  Ames  its  (4th)  president, 

June. 

Pruyn  street  (of  1900)  changed  from  Embargo  alley  to  Denniston, 

June  16. 

Common  Council  elects  Harmanus  Van  Ingen  fire  chief,      June  23. 

Beaver  creek,  being  an  open  creek  for  its  entire  length,  a  law  is 
passed  to  construct  a  stone  arch  over  it  at  Johnson  street, 

June   23. 

Albany  Burgesses'  Corps  makes  its  first  parade,  50  men,  July  4. 

Second  Dutch  Reformed  church's  new  bell  rung  for  first  time,  largest 
in  city,  weight  2,227  ^'^s.,  made  by  Lewis  Aspinwall  at  corner 
of  Beaver  and  Grand  streets,  recasting  from  material  of  the 
second  bell,  weight  2,430  lbs.,  which  was  cast  by  Julius  Hanks 
of  Gibbonsville,  (W.  Troy)  in  Dec,  181 8,  which  was  a  recast 
of  the  first  bell  imported  from  Holland,  weight  2,842  lbs.,  earlier 
in  1818,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000;  but  cracked,  July  4. 

Steamboat  Helen,  built  by  Burden,  makes  first  appearance.    July  7. 

Citizen  Edmond  Charles  Genet,  who  had  been  most  active  in  advo- 
cating extensive  river  improvements,  dies  at  his  Greenbush 
farm,  July  14. 

James  Hunter,  editor  Albany  Daily  Advertiser  from  1823  to  Oct., 
1832,  later  editing  the  Albany  Daily  News,  dies,  July  15. 

Charles  R.  Webster,  founder  of  Albanv  Gazette,  dies  Saratoga, 

July  18. 


ALBANY  FEMALE  ACADEMY. 

Originally  opened  on  Montgomery  st.,  May  21,  1814.  Corner- 
stone of  2nd  edifice,  same  street,  laid  June  26,  1821.  This  (3rd) 
building  on  west  side  of  N.  Pearl  st.  (Nos.  38-42)  dedicated  May  12, 
1834;  Jonathan  Lyman,  architect;  $30,000;  abandoned  for  4th 
location,  No.  155  Washington  ave.,  Jan.  i,  i8g2. 


No.    39.  ERASTUS  CORNING.  5II 


1834. 


Lafavette  funeral  ceremonies  performed  here  with  c^reat  splendor, 
military  and  firemen  parading  under  ]\Iaj.-Gen.  Stephen  Van 
Rensselaer,  Jr.,  as  marshal,  pallbearers  nine  Revolutionary  com- 
panions,—  Gregory,  Winne,  Hilton,  Van  Rensselaer,  Ryckman, 
Kidney,  Van  Alstyne,  Shields  and  Russell,  the  Yorktown  o'-d- 
nance,  12-pounder  captured  by  Lafayette,  borne  in  parade ; 
eulogy  by  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  B.  Sprague,  Jwly  25. 

Hudson  River  Steam  Boat  Co.  reduce  fare  to  N.  Y.  city  to  $2, 

July  28. 
John  Preston  urges  Common  Council  to  plant  elm  trees,  Aug.  11. 
Cholera  breaks  out,  starting  epidemic,  Aug.  11. 

Fifteen  cases  and  3  deaths  from  cholera,  Aug.   12. 

Fourteen  new  cases  and  q  deaths  in  past  three  days,         Aug.   18. 
Five  new  cases  and  one  death,  Aug.  19. 

Seven  new  cases  of  cholera  and  six  deaths,  Aug.  20. 

Universalists'   new   house   in   Green   street   dedicated,  Aug.   21. 

The  Theatre  remodeled,  opened  by  Wm.  Duffy,  Sept.  8. 

People's  Line  of  Steamboats  started  with  Nimrod  and  Champion, 

Sept.  8. 
Cholera  epidemic  ceases,  and  cholera  hospital  closed,  Sept.  16. 

Universalists  of  United  States  convene  on  Green  street,       Sept.  17. 
Rebecca,  wife  of  Schuyler  Van  Rensselaer,  dies  at  Huron,  O., 

Sept.  17. 
Mathias,  a  wandering  impostor  on  "  divine  mission,"  arrested, 

Sept.  22. 
Common  Council  addressed  by  P.  Norton  and  two  hundred  others 
who  petition  to  prevent  burning  of  tar  barrels,  throwing  of 
fire-balls  and  bonfires  at  election  times,  Oct.  6. 

Common  Council  controversy  over  the  new  law,  passed  May  ist  by 
Legislature,  changing  date  of  election  as  prescibed  in  charter 
to  be  the  last  Tuesday  in  September,  to  first  Tuesday  in  May, 

Oct.  6. 
Burgesses'  corps  celebrate  first  anniversary  by  excursion  to  Troy, 

Oct.   8. 
Gilbert   Ackerman,    prosperous   and   prominent   citizen,    dies, 

Oct.  11. 
Baptist  Church  pews  ( N.  Pearl  st.)  sell  for  $19,000,  70  unsold, 

Oct.  II. 
Rev.  Mr.  Ide  preaches  first  sermon  in  Green  St.  Baptist  Church, 

Oct.  12. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :     John  E.  Lovett,  Levi  Cornell, 

L     Seth  Hastings,  James  D.  Wasson,  H.     Isaac  W.  Staats, 

Israel  Williams,  III.     James  Mahcr,  Jared  Lewis  Rathbone,  IV. 


512  ERASTUS  CORNING.  No.    39. 

1834. 

James  Gibbons,  John  N.  Ouackenbush,  V.     Election,  Sept.  30; 
sworn  in,  Oct.   14. 

James   King  petitions  to  have  Ten  Broeck  street  excavated, 

Oct.  20. 

John  Meads  remonstrates  on  behalf  of  waterworks  company  against 
opening  a  square  adjacent  to  contemplated  State  House  on 
Eagle  St.,  Oct.   20. 

Steamboat  Novelty  with  load  of  Nott's  stoves  sinks  on  Over- 
slaugh, Oct.  23. 

Pearl  Street  Baptist  church  opened  by  Rev.  Mr.  Ide,  Green  St.  ch. 
pastor,  Oct.  26. 

Killian  H.  Van  Rensselaer  dies,  aged  23  years,  Oct.  27. 

Daniel  Sickles  dies,  Oct.  27. 

City  vote  for  governor,   Seward,   1,523;  Marcy,   1,434,        Nov.   5. 

Gerrit  Y.  Lansing  elected  to  congress  by  majority  of  123  votes 
over  Daniel  D.  Barnard,  having  received  4,944  votes,     Nov,  5. 

Isaac  Hamilton,  repeatedly  alderman  and  supervisor,  dies  at  St. 
Mary's  Ga.,  aged  55  years,  Nov.  16. 

Abraham  Van  Vechten  elected  president  St.  Nicholas  Benevolent 
Society,  Nov.  19. 

J.   Sheridan  Knowles  and  Miss  Watson  at  Albany  Theatre, 

Nov.  25. 

Simeon  DeWitt,  surveyor  of  the  state,  in  the  line  of  the  Con- 
tinental army  at  capture  of  Burgoyne,  Oct.  17,  1777,  man  of 
science,  dies,  Dec.  3. 

Elisha  Kane,  a  prominent  citizen,  dies  aged  64,  at  Philadelphia, 

Dec.  4. 

Methodist  Protestant  Society's  new  "  House  of  Prayer,"  Hallenbake 
(Grand  st.)  bet.  Beaver  and  Hudson,  dedicated,  Dec.  7. 

Fire  Department  elects  Elias  A.  Brown  president,  Dec.  8. 

"  The  Cultivator  "  first  published.  Judge  Jesse   Buel. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Dec.  13. 

Half  Way  House  of  Peleg  Noyes  on  Watervliet  Turnpike  having 
been  burned  he  is  given  a  benefit  by  friends  at  the  Theatre, 

Dec.   14. 

Leonard  Gansevoort,  30  years  member  of  the  Common  Council  and 
for  many  years  a  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  aged 
81,  dies,  Dec.  16. 

Third  Dutch  Church,  Green  and  Ferry  streets,  organized,      Dec.  19. 

Secession  in  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  Rev.  J.  S.  R.  Wilson, 
pastor,  leaving  for  former  field  in  Orange  county,  Dec.  22. 

Mayor  Erastus  Corning  unanimously  re-elected  by  Common  Council, 

Dec.  30. 
•         •        • 


No.    39.  ERASTUS  CORNING.  5I3 


1835. 


1835. 

]\Iayor  Erastus  Corning  takes  oath  of  office  a  second  time,     Jan.  i. 

Population  of  the  city  at  this  time  reported  as  28,109,       ]^^-   ^■ 

Richard  Van  Rensselaer's  wife,  Elizabeth,  dies,  Jan.  i. 

Aims-House  superintendent  reports  435  paupers  therein,     Jan.  31. 

Meeting  at  Eagle  Tavern  to  discuss  bridging  the  river,     Feb.  4. 

Apprentices'  Library,  having  existed  14  years,  now  contains  2,200 
books  and  900  volumes  are  drawn  out  each  month,  Feb.  8, 

German  Colonial  Lodge,  No.  16,  L  O.  O.  F.,  instituted,     Feb.  13. 

Peter  Lansing,  Jr.,  a  founder  of  the  St.  Nicholas  Benevolent 
Society,  aged  46  years,  dies,  Feb.   17. 

Board  man  &  Gray  piano  factory  established  on  North  Pearl  street, 

John  DePeyster  Douw,  in  youth  an  officer  in  commissary  depart- 
ment, 1777,  resident  on  the  estate  that  had  been  kept  in  the 
Douw  family  during  140  years,  dies  at  Douw's  Point,  Green- 
bush,  Feb.  22. 

Discusssion  by  Common  Council  of  grading  of  the  vast  unbroken 
area  below  So.  Ferry  street,  between  So.  Pearl  st.  and  river, 

March  8. 

Young  Men's  Association  incorporated  by  an  Act  of  this  day, 

March  12. 

William  Patterson  Van  Rensselaer's  wife,  Eliza  Bayard,  dies  at  Ma- 
tanzas,  Cuba,  whither  she  had  gone  for  her  health,     March  20. 

Master  Bakers  meet  at  Rising  Sun  Tavern  and  decide  to  sell  bread 
to  retailers  at  $9  per  hundred  and  9  pence  to  families, 

March  21. 

Cholera  relief  committee  reports  disbursing  $3,507.30  during  1832 
and  to   1835  i"  ^^^  of  sufferers,  March  23. 

John  T.  Norton  resigns  presidency  of  Canal  Bank  on  removing  from 
city,  and  Joseph  Russell   is  elected  to  fill  the   position, 

March  24. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  March  25. 

People's  Line  puts  on  steamboats  Nimrod  and  Champion. 

People's  Line  sold  to  Hudson  River  Association  Line. 

Fire  breaks  out  m  Rising  Sun  Tavern,  s.  w.  cor.  So.  Pearl  and 
Beaver  Sts.,  and  extends  southward  to  the  Theatre,      April  24. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council:  G.  V.  S.  Bleecker,  John  S. 
Walsh,  L  William  Seymour,  James  D.  Wasson,  H.  Israel 
Williams  Arnold  Nelson,  HL  Lemuel  Steele,  James  Maher, 
IV.     Tohn  \^an  Ness,  Jr.,  John  N.  Ouackenbush,  V.     Election, 

May  5. 


514  ERASTUS  CORNING,  No.    39. 

1835. 

Legislature  passes  bill  chartering  Troy  &  Schenectady  railroad, 

May  6. 

James  P.  \'an  Benthuysen,  aged  62,  dies,  May  10. 

Legislature,  having  passed  311  laws,  adjourns,  among  them  to  incor- 
porate the  Young  Men's  Ass'n,  allowing  Albany  &  Schenectady 
turnpike  to  lay  blocks  of  stone  as  vehicle  tracks  ;  removing  bulk- 
head in  basin;  incorporating  Albany  Orphan  Asylum,    May  11. 

Steamboat  Robert  L.  Stephens  begins  to  ply,  May  25. 

Infant  schools  suspended  for  lack  of  funds,  Alay  25. 

Edward  Artcher  contracts  to  supply  oil  to  city  at  80  cts.  gal., 

May  25. 

Siamese  twins.  Chang  and  Eng,  make  first  appearance  here  in 
Museum,  being  18  years  of  age,  June  i. 

Grand  street  (known  as  Hallenbake  st.)  contains  only  one  house 
(n.  e.  cor.  Hamilton  and  Grand  streets). 

Steamboat  Highlander  built  by  Lawrence  &  Sneden  of  New  York, 
313  tons,  175  X  24  X  8  feet,  41  x  120  in.  engine. 

Middle  Dutch  church  bell  to  be  rung  at  8  a.  m.  hereafter,      June  8. 

Steamboat  Belle  put  in  commission. 

Store  Lane  changes  name  to  Norton  street,  June  22. 

The  Zodiack  begins  publication  by  Erastus  Perry,  July  25. 

Common  Council  names  committee  to  study  expediency  and  cost 
to  translate  the  city  records  from  Dutch,  Aug.  3. 

City  Tract  Society  organized  with  Rev.  Dr.  Welch  in  chair,  and 
elects  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  president,  Aug.  4. 

Jeremiah  Waterman,  aged  45  years,  dies,  Aug.  14. 

Annual  Sabbath  school  celebration  in  Capitol  park  bv  4,000  children. 

Sept.  8. 

Daniel  Shields.  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  70,  dies,         Sept.  20. 

North  America  arrives  in  fast  time  of  10  hrs.  7  mins.,  including  all 
15  landings,  or  8  hrs.  41  mins.  running  time,  Sept.  23. 

Common  Council  appropriates  half  expense  to  enclose  ground  Mad- 
ison ave.,  between  Eagle  and  Philip  streets,   limit  $1,000, 

Sept.  28. 

Mayor  directs  chamberlain  to  pay  on  warrant  $10,000  to  improve 
river  navigation  below  city,  Sept.  28. 

The  Albany  Transcript,  first  city  penny  paper,  published  by  C.  F. 
Powell  &  Co.,  '  Oct.   12. 

Commercial  Bank  suffers  loss  of  $130,000  by  absconding  cashier, 

Oct.   13. 

Steamboat  Champlain,  Captain  Gorham,  arrives  in  8  hrs.  45  min. 
running  time,  Oct.  21. 

Champlain  makes  trip  in  9  hrs.  31  mins.  including  16  landings, 

Oct.  23. 


No.    39.  EIL\STUS  CORNING.  515 

1835-1836. 

Joice  Heth,  said  to  be  nurse  of  Washington  and  161  years  old,  at 

the  Museum,  Oct.  2j. 

WilHam  Seymour,   12  years  alderman,  elected  to  Assembly,  3,888 

votes  to  3,620  for  Friend  Humphrey,  Nov.   4. 

Afong  Moy,  Chinese  girl,  explains  at  Museum  how  feet  are  made 

small  in  that  country,  Nov.  11. 

Edward  S.  Willett's  silk  hat  factory,  first  in  city,  burned  out  at 

cor.  Green  and  Bassett  streets,  Nov.  13. 

Stanwix  Hall  (s.  e.  cor.  Broadway  and  Maiden  Lane)  erected. 
River  closed  to  navigation  for  season,  Nov.  30. 

Boats  that  arrived  and  departed  by  canal  past  year  10,960,  Dec.  i. 
Capt.  Stephen  Stilwell,  ship  Rosalie,  dies  off  Cape  Horn,  Dec.  7. 
Thermometer  12  degrees  below  zero,  Dec.  16. 

Connecticut  Coffee  House,  So.  j\Iarket  and  Hamilton,  burned, 

Dec.   18. 
Fire  department  expenses  $3,477.16. 
Common   Council  re-elects   Erastus  Corning,   Mayor,   receiving   10 

votes,  and  Francis  Bloodgood  8  votes,  Dec.  21. 


1836. 

Common  Council  assembles  and  Recorder  James  McKown  admin- 
isters Mayor's  oath  to  Erastus  Corning,  w^io  was  re-elected,  on 
December  21st,  to  succeed  himself,  Jan.  i. 

State  Museum  is  organized  and  occupies  the  old  State  Hall, 

January. 

Opening  of  the  Pier  at  Maiden  Lane  authorized,  January. 

Clerk  of  Common  Council  Rufus  W.  Peckham  resigns,  and  Peter 
Carmichael  is  elected  in  his  stead,  Feb.  i. 

Survey  made  for  bridge  over  the  Hudson  and  canal  to  Schenectady, 

Feb.    I. 

Isaac  D.  Verplanck,  the  last  survivor  of  original  proprietors  of 
Coeymans  patent  and  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  jy,  dies 
there,  Feb.  4. 

Stark's  New  England  Tavern,  opp.  Steamboat  landing,  burned, 

Feb.  9. 

Wm.  Duffy,  manager  of  Albany  Theatre,  fatally  stabbed  by  actor, 
John  Hamilton,  who  is  arrested,  Feb.  10. 

Citizens  meet  at  City  Hall.  Erastus  Corning  in  chair,  and  resolve 
that  the  ferries  being  inadequate  there  should  be  a  bridge, 

Feb.  II. 


5l6  ERASTUS  CORNING.  No.    39. 

1836. 

Jared  Holt's  leather  store,  south  side  of  Hudson  ave.  east  of  Green 
St.,  burned,  loss  $15,000,  thermometer  18  below  zero,      Feb.  18. 

Rev.  Wm.  Linn  Keese,  former  pastor  of  St.  Paul's,  aged  33,  dies 
Cuba,  Feb.  19. 

Ezra  Ames,  prominent  portrait  artist,  aged  68,  dies,  Feb.  23. 

Hon.  Alfred  Conkling  publishes  "  Young  Christian's  Manual," 

March  i. 

Assembly  committee  reports  against  a  bridge  over  the  Hudson, 

March  11. 

Wm.  Duffy,  manager  of  the  Albany  Theatre,  stabbed  Feb.  loth, 
aged  33,  a  native  of  Albany  and  intimate  of  Edwin  Forrest, 
dies,  March  12. 

Albany  Bethel  Union  society  formed  to  furnish  moral  improvement 
among  boatmen  and  elects  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  president, 

March  12. 

Stages  still  running  to  Poughkeepsie  on  the  river  ice,       March  2^. 

Lancaster  school,  on  Eagle  St.,  closes  doors  by  order  of  Common 
Council,  being  replaced   by  new   district   school   system., 

March  28. 

Common  Council  decides  to  open  space  in  the  Pier  between  the 
small  Columbia  and  State  street  bridges  thereto,       March  28. 

Common  Council  decides  to  allow  Mohawk  &  Hudson  Railroad  to 
extend  its  tracks  Gansevoort  to  So.  Ferry  street,       March  28. 

Rev.  Isaac  Ferris  resigns  from  Middle  Dutch  church,       March  28. 

Mr.  Bloodgood  reports  to  the  Common  Council  in  favor  of  making 
a  translation  of  the  City's  Dutch  records,  March  28. 

Ezra  Ames'  widow,  Zipporah,  aged  61,  dies,  April  9. 

Application  to  Legislature  to  incorporate  Medical  college,    April  10. 

Pier  opening  authorized  by  Legislative  Act,  April  14. 

First  State  geological  and  mineralogical  survey  ordered,     April  15. 

River  open  to  navigation,  April  15, 

Steamboat  Swallow  built  by  William  Capes  of  Brooklyn,  426  tons, 
224  X  22  X  8I/2  feet,  46  X  120  in.  engine. 

People's  Line  revived,  as  a  night  line,  by  Daniel  Drew,       April. 

Steamboat  Rochester  built  by  Smith  &  Dimon  of  New  York,  491 
tons,  209x24x854  feet,  43x120  in.  engine,  April. 

Hon.  Erastus  Corning  imports  expensive  highly  bred  cattle,  April. 

City  Hall,  formerly  used,  at  n.  e.  corner  of  So.  Market  st.  (Broad- 
way) and  Hudson  street  (avenue)  so  completely  wrecked  by 
fire  that  its  removal  became  necessary.  It  was  here  that  the 
Colonial  Congress  assembled  to  discuss  a  new  government  of 
States,  April  30. 

Gibbonsville  assumes  name  of  West  Troy,  April  30, 


No.    39.  ERASTUS  CORNING.  517 

1836. 

Pearl  street  theatre  managed  (until  Oct.,  1837)  by  Dinneford  & 
Blake,  ^  May  4. 

Consolidation  of  small  railroads  assuming  title  of  Albany  &  West 
Stockbridge   railroad,  electing"  Marcus  T.   Reynolds  president, 

May  5. 

Schuyler  \'an  Rensselaer  dies  at  Marietta,  Ohio,  May  5. 

Dr.  Ebenezer  Emmons  conducts  survey  of  Northern  New  York. 

Albany  Mutual  Insurance  Co.  fomied,  Dr.  B.  P.  Staats,  pres't, 

May   10. 

Fur  stores  of  Packer,  Prentice  &  Co.,  and  Geo.  C.  Treadwell,  bum, 

May  19. 

While  improving  north  area  of  Dutch  church  on  south  side  of 
Beaver  st.,  gravestone  of  Mayor   (2nd)   Abeel  thrown  out, 

May  19. 

Legislature  adjourns,  session  of  143  days.  May  26. 

Subscriptions  opened  for  the  Albany  Exchange,  May  26. 

Mechanics  &  Farmers'  Bank  elects  Thomas  W.  Olcott  its  (5th) 
president,  June  7. 

Pye  tavern  on  Watervlict  turnpike  burned  badly,  June  13. 

Capt.  Samuel  Wiswall,  associated  with  Fulton  and  Livingston  m 
steamboat  navigation,  aged  63,  dies  in  N.  Y.  city,  (burial  Hud- 
son), June  27. 

Stage  line  on  Broadway  ( first  street  transfers)  operated  by  Josiah 
Webster. 

Benj.  Allen,  former  Albany  Academy  principal,  age  65,  dies  at  Hyde 
Park,  July  20. 

Steamboat  Norwich  built  by  Lawrence  &  Sneden  of  New  York,  255 
tons,  160  X  25  X  9  feet,  40  x  120  in.  engine. 

Capt.  Stewart  Dean,  famous  world  navigator,  of  Albany,  after  whom 
Dean  street  was  named,  aged  90,  dies  in  New  York  city, 

Aug.  5. 

Common  Council  petitioned  to  subscribe  to  Albany  &  West  Stock- 
bridge  railroad  stock,  and  deliberates  thereon,  Aug.  20. 

.  Mrs.  Gertrude  Tremper,  dau.  of  late  Moses  Cantine.  dies,    Aug.  20. 

Harmanus  H.  Wendell  dies,  Aug.  20. 

Trial  of  omnibus  line  through  North  and  South  Market  streets 
(Broadway)  at  6  cts.,  made  by  Jos.  Webster,  but  walking  pre- 
ferred, Sept.  II. 

Hudson  River  Rail  Road  subscription  books  opened,  Sept.  15. 

New  steamboat  Rhode  Island  first  appears,  Sept.  29. 

Rev.  Isaac  N.  Wyckofif,  Catskill,  accepts  call  2nd  Dutch  church. 

Sept.  29. 


5l8  ERASTUS  CORNING.  No.    39. 

1836-1837. 


vSteaniboat  Swallow,  Captain   ^IcLean,  makes  first  appearance, 

Oct.   4. 

Common  Council  by  vote  of  17  to  i  resolves  to  subscribe  $250,000  to 
Albany   &   West    Stockbridge   road,    Dr.    Bay    in   negative, 

Oct.  4. 

Albany  Military  Ass'n  elects  Lt.-Col.  John  B.  Van  Schaick  president, 

Oct.  4. 

Steamboat  Swallow  makes  record  trip,  in  8  hrs.  42  mins.,       Oct.  8. 

Albany  Exchange  building  corner-stone  laid  at  noon  by  John  Town- 
send,  address  by  John  O.  Wilson,  Ruel  Clapp,  builder,  con- 
taining current  coin  in  vase,  papers  and  names  of  367  sub- 
scribers, Nov.    I. 

Steamboats  Rochester  and  Swallow  race  from  New  York,  latter  6 
miles  ahead  breaks  down  at  Coxsackie,  other's  time  8  hrs.  20 
mins.,  Nov.    i. 

The  "  New  York  Express  ''  prints  in  morning  news  from  "  Albany 
Evening  Journal  "  sent  ])v  boat  at  night,  considered  rapid  news 
service,  Nov.   15. 

xA.bra]iam  A'an  Vechten  elected  pres't  St.  X^icholas  Benevolence  Soc, 

Nov.  20. 

James  Hilton,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  84,  dies,  Dec.   7. 

River  closes  to  navigation  and  last  tow  departs,  Dec.  7. 

Evening  Journal  furnishes  President's  ^Message  24  hours  in  advance 
of  the  mail,  coming  from  New  York  by  boat  to  Rhinebeck,  by 
stage  to  Hudson,  messenger  carrying  it  from  there,  32  miles, 
in  2  hrs.,  Dec.  8. 

St.  Paul's  Church   fair  bv  ladies  at  Stanwix  Hall  nets  $1,200, 

Dec.   18. 

Hon.  Erastus  Corning  is  re-elected  ^layor  by  the  Common  Council, 
receiving  11  votes,  and  Tennis  A^an  A'^echten  7  votes,      Dec.  19. 


1837. 


Hon.  Erastus  Corning  again  assumes  office  of  Mayor,  Jan.  2. 

Legislature  convenes,  Jan.  3. 

Theodore  Olcott's  wife,  Eliza,  aged  25  years,  dies,  Jan.  3. 

Abraham  Van  A'echten,  a  most  prominent  citizen,  dies,  Jan.  6. 

Dr.  Alden  March  applies  to  Legislature  for  use  of  Lancaster  school 
building,  (west  side  of  Eagle,  bet.  Lancaster  and  Jay  sts.)  as  a 
medical  college,  providing  charter  is  granted  the  college, 

Jan.   9. 


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XO.    39.  ERASTUS  CORN  IN  c;.  519 

1837. 

Robert  Cira\-,  first  librarian  of  V.  M.  A.,  ai^cd  35,  dies,  I'eb.  \'). 

]\Irs.  Raehael  iHeeeker.  widow  of  James  JJleecker  and  niotber  of 
G.  \\  S.  Bleecker,  aged  79.  dies,  Alareh  22 

Ice  moves  out  and  navigation  commences,  March  28. 

The  Daily  Advertiser  sold  by  J.  B.  \'an  Schaick  &  Co.  to  Rensselaer 
\'an  Rensselaer,  this  paper  printing  in  the  morning  news  from 
evening  New  York  papers  brought  by  boat,  April  18. 

Gen.  Stephen  \'an  Rensselaer  by  his  will  of  this  date  bequeatlis  the 
manor  and  lands  on  this  side  of  river  to  eldest  son,  Stephen, 
those  on  east  side  to  second  son,  William  Patterson,     April  18. 

Third  Dutch  Reformed  Church  corner-stone,  corner  of  Green  and 
So.  Ferry  streets,  laid  by  Rev.  Drs.  Ferris,  \'ermilyea  and  I.  X. 
Wyckoff  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  churches  and  Rev.  Dr.  Wm. 
B.  Sprague  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the  act  performed  by 
the  venerable  Christian  ^filler ;  ground  given  by  Hon.  Stephen 
Van  Rensselaer,  April  20. 

Experiment  with  steamboat  X.  Cobb,  using  Bennett's  improved 
steam  generator,  to  reach  Xew  York  using  only  3^2  cords  of 
wood  ;  but  ran  onlv  two-thirds  of  the  distance  with  that  amount. 

May  8. 

Hon.  Erastus  Cornmg,  Alayor,  resigns  the  office  which  he  had  filled 
for  several  years  with  universal  satisfaction,  May  8. 

Banks  cease  specie  payments,  Xew  York  banks  day  previous, 

Mav  II. 


(See  Xo.  40.) 


1 


No.  40. 

albums  Han  H^rlit^u. 


May  15,  1837  — Dec.  31,1837. 
Jan.  1,  1838  Dec.  31,1838. 
Jan.       1,  1839- Jan.    21,1839. 

May  11,    1841  — May    9,1842. 


No.  40. 
TEUNIS    VAN    VECHTEN. 

Date   of  oifice:     (a)   May    15,    1837  —  December   31,    1837. 

(b)  January  I,   1838  —  December  31.  1838. 

(c)  Tanuary    1,1839 — January  21,  1839  (resigns). 

(d)  May  II,  1841  —  May  9,  1842. 
Date  of  election:     (a)    May  15,  1837. 

(b)    December  27,   1837. 
(  c  )    December  27,  1838. 
(d)    April   13,   1841. 
J^ote:     (a)    14. 

(b)  Unanimous. 

(c)  Unanimous. 

(d)  2,449. 

Opponent:      (a)    John  Woodworth. 

(b)  None. 

(c)  None. 

(d)  Gerrit  Yates  Lansing. 
Vote:     (a)    i. 

(b)  o. 

(c)  o. 

(d)  2,339,  blank  and  scattering  40. 
Total  vote:     (a)    15. 

(b)  21. 

(c)  21. 

(d)  4,828. 

Date  of  birth:     November  4,  1785. 

Place  of  birth:     Albany. 

Parents:     Teunis  (V.  V.)  and  Elizabeth  De  A\'andelaer. 

Education:     Union  College. 

Married  to:     Catherine  Cuyler  Gansevoort. 

Date:     December  4,  1810. 

Children:  (10)  Elizabeth  Anna,  Leonard  Gansevoort,  Hester  Eliza- 
beth. Samuel,  Teunis,  John  Beekman,  Cuyler,  John,  Catherine 
Cuyler,  Cuyler. 

Residence:     No.  15  Montgomery  street. 

Occupation:     Lawyer. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     February  4,  1859. 

Place  of  death:     No.  725  Broadway. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Alderman.  Supervisor.  President  Albany  Insurance  Co. 
Attorney  for  Patroon  (Gen.)  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer.  Noted 
for  integrity,  industry,  economy,  hospitality.  Admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1870. 


40. 


From  a 
Twitchell, 
Albany. 


TEUNIS  VAN  VECHTEN. 
1837-39;  1841-4^. 
photograph   by   Brown,  Albany,   from  an   oil   painting  by   Asa  W. 
owned   in    1904   by   his   granddaughter,    Miss   Anna   Van  Vechtcn, 


No.  40.  TEUNIS    VAN    VECHTEN.  523 

1837. 

(Continued  from  No.  39.) 
183  7. 


Teunis  A'an  A'echten  elected  ^Nlayor  by  Common  Council,  14  votes, 

May  15. 

Charter  election.  Common  Council :  Gerit  Van  Sant  Bleecker, 
Charles  S.  Olmstead,  I.  Ichabod  L.  Judson,  Josiah  Winants, 
II.  John  W.  Bay.  John  Groesbeck,  III.  Henry  A.  Williams, 
Seth  Jarvis,  IV.  James  Gibbons,  Daniel  D.  Shaw,  V.  Election, 
May  2;  sworn  in,  Alay  15. 

Legislature  adjourns,  session  of  134  days,  passing  478  laws,  May  16. 

Richard  S.  Treat,  alderman  many  years,  aged  68,  dies.  May  22. 

Elisha  I).  Janes,  late  principal  Pearl  street  Academy,  36,  dies. 

May  22. 

At  Common  Council  meeting  John  Townsend  and  others  petition 
Board  to  issue  bills  under  five  dollars  to  supply  change ;  but  it 
was  later  on  adversely  reported  by  finance  committee.   May  29. 

Grocers  meet  and  protest  that  they  are  merely  collectors  for  bakers, 
and  would  take  no  more  bread  for  sale  until  a  reform,    June  6. 

Francis  C.  Pruyn  dies,  June  14. 

Steamboat  Utica  built  by  William  Capes  of  Brooklyn,  340  tons, 
iSo  X  21  X  81/2  feet,  43  x  120  in.  engine. 

Benjamin  Van  Benthuysen's  wife,  Susan,  aged  52,  dies,        June  22. 

Gen.  Robert  Dunbar,  Jr.,  more  than  30  years  principal  agent  for  the 
Patroon,  aged  64,  dies,  June  30. 

Pier  Company  refused  by  Common  Council  permission  to  widen  the 
Pier  by  15  feet,  July  13. 

Five  large  lines  of  steamboats  to  New  York  in  operation,  namely 
Old  Line,  People's  Line,  Night  Line,  Day  Line,  and  Eagle  Line, 
some  days  the  rate,  50  cents,  then  $3  for  passage  per  person, 

J"iy  15- 

Steamboat  L^tica  built  by  People's  Line,  July. 

Eagle  Tavern,  made  famous  by  Landlord  Leverett  Cruttenden,  taken 

over  by  H.  H.  Crane  of  Rochester,  July  20. 

Disastrous  lire  in  So.   Market  street    (Broadway)    sweeping  block 

bounded  by  that  street,  Hamilton,  Division  and  Quay  streets, 

July  21. 
Leonard  Gansevoort  Van  Vechten,  aged  25,  dies,  July  24. 

Catherine   Clinton,  wife  of  ex-Mayor  Ambrose   Spencer,  aged  58, 

dies,  Aug.  20. 


524  TEUNIS    VAN    VECHTEN.  No.  4O. 

1837. 

Common  Council  refuses  license  to  a  circus  that  had  been  erected  on 
Kane's  Walk,  advocated  by  Aid.  John  Groesbeck,  Aug.  26. 

Common  Council  repeals  a  law  prohibiting  circus  exhibitions  in  the 
city,  by  a  vote  of  11  to  6,  Sept.  4. 

Common  Council  appropriates  $1,000  to  improve  river  channel, 
which  could  not  have  resulted  in  extensive  good,  Sept.  5. 

Eagle  street,  still  unopened,  directed  to  be  pitched  and  paved  from 
Hudson  street  (avenue)  to  Lydius  street  (Madison  ave.), 

Sept.  5. 

Albany  City  Bank  sued  for  extending  building  beyond  street  line, 
judgment  of  $25  ;  but  continue  to  build,  Sept.  5. 

Robert  Martin,  proprietor  of  Albanv  Dailv  Advertiser,  39,  dies, 

Sept.  8. 

Wife  of  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  B.  Sprague,  Mary  L.,  aged  33,  dies, 

Sept.  16. 

Common  Council  elects  Sanford  Col^b  city  chamberlain  in  place  of 
P.  V.  Shankland,  who  resigned,  Sept.  29. 

Albany  Water-works  Co.  uses  ^Middle  creek  (in  conjunction  with 
the  Alaezlandt  kill). 

Common  Council  discusses  instituting  a  city  comptroller,  as  about 
$400,000  passes  annually  through  the  chamberlain;  referred, 

Oct.  2. 

Simeon  DeWitt  Bloodgood,  Ih'itton  15.  Tallman  and  Isaac  N.  Com- 
stock  elected  commissioners  imder.  Legislative  act  to  attend  to 
the  erection  of  district  school  houses,  Oct.  2. 

Douw  Fonda's  wife,  Matilda,  dies,  Oct.  3. 

Pearl  Street  Theatre  (Leland,  Proctor)  managed  (until  March  30, 
1839)  ^>y  Thomas  Fuller,  Oct.  5. 

C)badiah  R.  \  an  [5enthuysen's  wife,  Sarah,  aged  52,  dies,        Nov.  7 

Daniel  D.  Barnard  elected  to  Assembly,  and  John  B.  Van  Schaick 
.to  the  Senate;  Michael  Artcher,  shcrifif,  Nov.  9. 

Albany  Evening  Journal  for  first  time  displays  the  cut  of  an  eagle, 
reaching  across  the  top  of  the  front  page,  which  for  fifty  years 
afterwards  was  used  by  it  or  loaned  to  Argus,  depending  on 
results  of  the  jiolitical  victories  ;  and  on  this  occasion  sarcas- 
tically queried  the  old  saying  of  the  Democrats,  "  As  goes  the 
Fourth  ward,  so  goes  the  state."  Nov.  9 

American  Lodge,  No.  32,  L  O.  O.  F.,  instituted,  Dec.  5. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (official  record),  Dec.   13. 

Mayor  Tennis  Van  Vechten  re-elected  by  Common  Council, 

Dec  2"]. 
•         •         • 


I 


No.  40.  TEUNIS    VAN    VECHTEN.  525 

1838. 


1838. 

Mayor  Teunis  Van  Vechten  again  assumes  office,  Jan.   i. 

Firemen's  Lodge,  No.   19,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  instituted,  Jan.  4. 

The  Family  Newspaper  first  issued  by  Solomon  wSouthwick,  weekly, 

Jan.  6. 

Medical  fraternity  meets,  Dr.  Jonathan  Eights  presiding,  and  passes 
a  resolution  advocating  a  city  hospital,  Jan.  7. 

O.  I\I.  Coleman,  local  mechanic  of  ingenuity,  displays  his  automaton, 
a  female  figure  playing  a  musical  instrument,  Jan.  10. 

Commercial  Bank,  ahead  of  others,  resumes  specie  payments. 

Jan.  II. 

Packer,  Prentice  &  Co.'s  fur  manufactory  on  Water  street  de- 
stroyed by  fire,  with  loss  $5,000,  Jan.  29. 

Alms-house  superintendent  reports  639  paupers  therein,  Feb.  5. 

Superintendent  of  alms-house  salary  raised  to  $550,  Feb.  5. 

Orville  L.  Holley  appointed  State  surveyor-general,  Feb.  5. 

Common  Council  petitioned  to  open  Colonic  street  from  No.  Market 
(Broadway)  to  Orchard  (No.  Pearl)  street,  Feb.  5. 

Mail  from  east  lost  by  ice  of  river  breaking,  Feb.  5. 

Isaiah  Townsend,  native  of  Orange  county,  senior  member  of  I.  & 
J.  Townsend,  iron  founders  and  metal  merchants  for  36  years, 
enterprising  and  liberal,  aged  61,  dies,  and  at  a  meeting  of 
merchants  that  day,  Erastus  Corning  presiding,  it  was  resolved 
to  close  all  the  stores  of  the  city  and  attend  his  funeral,  Feb.  17. 

Columbia  Distilling  Co.  (John  Tracey, —  existing  in  1906)  Dean 
street,  established. 

Common  Council  orders  Fifth  ward  burial-ground  closed,  March  19. 

River  opened  to  navigation,  March  29. 

Sloops  running  to  New  York  number  249,  schooners  129,      April  i. 

Common  Council  passes  law  to  have  excavated  the  enormous  mound 
on  north  side  of  Hamilton  street,  west  of  Eagle  street,  April  2. 

Common  Council  unanimously  adopts  resolution  of  John  Davis  to 
lease  the  Lancaster  school  building  on  west  side  of  Eagle  street 
free  of  rent  for  five  years  to  the  Albany  Medical  College, 

April  16. 

E.  C.  Delavan's  mother,  Mrs.  Hannah  Delavan,  dies,  April  20. 

Bank  of  Albany  recovers  from  recent  panic  and  pays  out  again  its 
own  bills,  made  from  new  plates,  April  26. 

Benjamin  Lattimer,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  78,  dies.  April  30. 

City  expenses  for  past  year  were  $240,426.92,  reported,         ]\Iay  i. 


526  TEUNIS    VAN    VECHTEN.  No.  40. 

1838. 

Charter  election,  Common  Council :  G.  V.  S.  Bleecker,  Charles  S. 
Olmstead,  I.  Ichbold  L.  Juclson,  Josiah  Winants,  II.  John  W. 
Bray,  John  Davis,  111.  Henry  A.  Williams,  Seth  Jarvis,  IV. 
Thomas  McElroy,  Andrew  Kirk,  V.     Election,  May  2. 

Albany  Daily  Advertiser  passes  into  hands  of  former  owners,  E.  W. 
and  Chas.  Skinner,  and  is  edited  by  John  B.  \'an  Schaick, 

May  8. 

Common  Council  orders  paving  of  Hallenbake  (Grand)  street  from 
Hudson  avenue  to  Lydius  (  Madison  ave. )  street,  on  petition  of 
Abram  Koonz,  owner  of  first  house  so  far  south  in  the  city  as 
northeast  corner  of  Grand  and  Hamilton  streets,  standing  as  an 
outpost.  May  8. 

Douw  Fonda,  aged  74  years,  dies.  May  17. 

Albany  Aledical  College  founded  by  Drs.  Alden  March  and  James 
H.  Armsby,  with  the  following  professors:  Dr.  /\lden  March, 
surgery  ;  Prof.  E.  Emmons,  chemistry  and  natural  history ;  Dr. 
J.  H.  Armsby,  anatomy  and  physiology ;  Dr.  Henry  Green, 
obstetrics  and  diseases  of  women  and  children ;  Dr.  David 
?\IcLachlan,  materia  medica  and  pharmacy ;  Dr.  Thomas  Hun, 
institutes  of  medicine;  Amos  Dean,  medical  jurisprudence; 
David  M.  Reese,  theory  and  practice  of  medicine ;  fees  for  the 
course  $75.     -  May  16. 

James  Goold  &  Co.'s  coach  factory  destroyed  by  fire  with  loss  of 
$45,000,  and  being  considered  a  public  calamity  citizens  loaned 
him  $20,000  without  interest  for  five  years  to  build  anew  ;  insur- 
ance having  been  but  $iQ.ooo,  May  25. 

Common  Council  removes  John  O.  Cole,  police  magistrate  and  a 
terror  to  evildoers,  appointing  thereto  Hazael  Kane,       June  4. 

Erastus  Corning  is  elected  president  of  the  new  Utica  &  Schenec- 
tady railroad,  later  to  be  part  of  N.  Y.  Central  road,         June  4. 

The  state  purchases  the  residence  of  Edwin  Croswell,  No.  29  Elk 
street,  as  a  home  for  its  governors,  paying  $19,000,  June  8. 

Celebration  of  Independence  Day.  Thomas  W.  Harman.  orator ; 
John  B.  \'an  Schaick,  reader,  Philadelphia  State  Eencibles 
parading,  July  4. 

J.  Silk  Buckingham,  famed  traveler,  delivers  course  of  lectures  on 
Egypt  at  Female  Academy,  July  4. 

The  Daily  Patriot,  abolition,  started  by  J.  G.  Wallace,  July  4. 

Death  of  Leverett  Cruttenden  at  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  aged  67.  long 
the  landlord  of  Congress  Hall,  and  subsequently  of  the  Eagle 
Tavern.  His  establishment  known  as  the  House  of  Lords  be- 
cause of  the  prominent  characters  stopping  there,  was  started 
m  1814  and  conducted  by  him  with  great  eclat  for  sixteen 
years,  July  14. 


No.  40.  TEUNIS    VAN    VECHTEN.  527 

1838-1839. 

Third  Presbyterian  Church.  Alontgomery  street,  opened  on  repair- 
ing. July  22. 
Watts  Sherman's  wife.  Sarah  L..  aged  22,  dies,  Aug;.  4. 
Third  Dutch  (."iiurcli  receives  new  bell,  weighing'  3.123  lbs..  Aug".  2^ 
Second  Methodist  Church  opens  meeting-room,  No.  2  Green  street, 

Aug-.  31. 

Navigation   committee    of     Common    Council     reports    expending 

$96,090.55  improving  the  basin,  and  requiring  $36,250  further. 

Sept.   \y. 

Harmanus  Bleecker  given  public  dinner  on  going  abroad,     Sept.  25. 

Common  Council  passes  law   for  paving  of  Eagle  street  for  first 

time  between  Hudson  avenue  and  Lydius  street  (Madison  ave.), 

Oct.  14. 
Daniel  D.  Barnard  elected  to  Congress  and  John  Davis  to  Assembly ; 
the  vote  for  Governor  Marcy  518  less  than  \Y\w.  Seward's. 

Nov.  7. 
]\Irs.  Anne  Grant,  author  of  "  Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady,"  re- 
ferring to  Mrs.  Philip  Schuyler,  dies  at  Edinburgh,  aged  84, 

Nov.  7. 
Elsie  Van  Rensselaer,  aged  79,  dies,  Nov.  21. 

River  closed  f official  record),  Nov.  25. 

Hector  H.  Crane,  keeper  of  Eagle  Tavern,  aged  44,  dies,       Nov.  27. 
Albany  Exchange  Bank  formed  with  capital  of  $100,000  and  John 
O.  Wilson  its  first  president*;  Geo.  W.  Stanton,  vice-president, 

Dec.   12. 
Joseph  Russell,  president  of  Canal  Bank,  aged  62,  dies,         Dec.  25. 
Barnum  Wdiipple,   harbor-master,   reports  that  exclusive   of  canal- 
boats,  6,180  vessels  had  arrived  and  departed  during  season, 

Dec.  26. 
Teunis  \'an  A'echten  re-elected  Mavor,  Dec.  27. 


1839. 

Mayor  Teunis  Van  A'echten  again  assumes  office.  Jan.   i. 

William  H.  Seward  inaugurated  Governor.  Jan.    i. 

Albany  Medical  College  opened  by  Dr.  David  ^\.  Reese  lecture. 

Jan.  2. 

Col.  John  B.  \'an  Schaick,  cultured  in  literature  and  editor  of  the 

Adbany  Daily  Advertiser,  aged  35,  dies,  Jan.  3. 


528  TEUNIS    VAN    VECHTEN.  No.  4O. 

1839,  1841. 

Common  Council  discusses  at  a  special  meeting  propriety  of  assum- 
ing all  expense  constructing  Albany  &  West  Stockbridge  rail- 
road, Jan.  3. 

Erection  of  a  hospital  advocated  at  meeting  by  Dr.  Jonathan  Eights 
and  Dr.  John  Mason  F.  Cogswell,  former  presiding,  latter  sec- 
retary, Jan.  7. 

John  Van  Ness  Yates,  son  of  Chief  Justice  Yates,  and  who  came 
to  city  at  age  of  14  to  study  law  in  office  of  John  V.  Henry, 
60,  dies,  Jan.  10. 

Mayor  Teunis  \'an  A'echten  resigns,  Jan.  21. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  41.) 

(Continued  from  No.  41.) 
1841. 


Teunis  \'an  A'echten,  following  J.  L.  Rathbone,  again  assumes  office 
of  ]\Iayor.  May  11. 

Charter  election.  Mayor,  Teunis  A'an  Vechten ;  Common  Council: 
John  Simpson,  Francis  Bryan,  I.  Thomas  Blank,  William  P. 
"Malburn,  II.  G.  V.  S.  Bleecker,  William  Stead,  III.  John  D. 
Hewson,  Charles  S.  Olmstead,  IV.  John  O.  Wilson.  Robert 
C.  Russell,  V.  Thomas  McElroy,  Thaddeus  Joy,  VI.  Charles 
Chapman,  John  Kenyon,  VII.  John  Mc Knight,  William  B. 
Stanton,  VIII.  George  Merrifield,  Thomas  Kirkpatrick,  IX. 
Michael  Artcher,  Joshua  I.  Jones,  X.  Election,  April  13  ;  sworn 
in.  May  11. 

Albany  Gaslight  Co.,  incorporated  Alarch  27th,  plans  building  a 
plant.  May  12. 

Steamboat  Troy  makes  trip  to  New  York  in  8  hrs.  10  mins..  claimed 
fastest  trip  on  record.  May  13. 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  site  selected,  four  miles  north  of  city,  to 
west  of  Troy  Road,  May  14. 

George  Pomeroy  inaugurates  first  express  line  in  America,  his  com- 
pany, with  headquarters  here,  running  to  Buffalo,  May  15. 

Common  Council  resolves  to  remove  the  South  Market  located  at 
the  Steamboat  Square,  formerly  called  the  Watering-Place 
when  owned  by  the  Dutch  Church,  and  to  lease  the  same  as  a 
steamboat  landing.  May  21. 


■r^: 


LAKE    BETHESDA. 


CYPRESS    WATER. 


RURAL  CEMETERY  GROUNDS. 

The  place  is  noted  througliout  America  as  being  unsurpassed  for  scenery  of 
natural  beauty  ;  site  to  west  of  Troy  Road,  midway  Albany  and  Troy,  selected 
May  14,  1841  :  grounds  laid  out  by  David  B.  Douglas,  LL.  D.  There  were  400 
acres  and  30  miles  of  drives  in  1906;  interments  to  1907  about  65,000. 


Xo.  40.  TEUNIS    VAX    \ECIITEN.  529 

1841. 

Beth  Jacob  congrei^^ation  dedicate  new  synagogue  at   No.  8  Rose 

(  Mosher)  street,  the  first  of  the  kind  in  the  city,  May  25. 

Albany  Gaslight  Co.  subscription  books  opened.  May  25. 

Legislature  adjourns  after  session  of  140  days ;  ^^2  laws,     ^lay  26. 

Trinity  Church  built.  Franklin  and  Herkimer  streets.  June. 

Common  Council  elects  Robert  Hewson  Pruyn  city  attorney. 

June  14. 

James  King,  eminent  attorney,  member  Board  of  Regents  and 
Chancellor  since  death  of  Simeon  DeWitt,  aged  52,  dies, 

June  20. 

Samuel   S.  Lush.  assembl)-man  and  leading  lawyer,  aged   58,  dies, 

June  21. 

State  Agricultural  Society  re-organized. 

Common  Council  passes  law  to  fill  in  Hudson  street  pond.    June  28. 

Independence  Dav  orator,  John  A.  Dix  ;  reader,  Thos.  McMullen, 

July  4. 

A  North  ferry  operated  by  steam  power,  July  10. 

Bethel  Church  opened  on  Pier  near  Hamilton  street  bridge,  July  14. 

Mechanics  opposed  to  state  prison  labor  system  meet  at  City  Llall, 
George  Vance  presiding,  address  by  H.  H.  A'an  Dyck,  nothing 
accomplished  by  the  heated  discussion,  July  22. 

Board  of  Trade  organizes,  George  W.  Stanton  acting  as  chairman, 
Daniel  Fry  as  secretary,  and  constitution  adopted,         Ji^ily  27 

Henry  Van  Benthuysen's  widow,  Cathline.  aged  79,  dies,     Aug.  13 

Albert  Ryckman,  long  an  alderman,  aged  "/"/,  dies,  Aug.  24 

Ambrose  Spencer  Townsend,  aged  28,  dies,  -'^ug.  24 

St.  John's  cemetery  on  Delaware  avenue  purchases  site,       Aug.  28 

State  Fair  first  held. 

Citizens  favoring  protection  to  American  industry  by  government 
hold  meeting  in  ("Old")  Capitol,  Thomas  W.  Olcott  pre- 
siding, and  resolutions  presented  by  IMarcus  T.  Reynolds,  John 
V.  L.  Pruyn,  Stevens,  and  from  New  York  city  Joseph  Blunt, 

Sept.  2. 

Mechanics  hold  state  convention  to  oppose  prison  labor,  Sept.  2. 

Board  of  Trade  fully  organizes,  John  Townsend,  president,  Sept.  9. 

Sheriff  Adams  goes  to  the  Helderbergs  with  a  posse  in  order  to  ac- 
complish sale  of  farms  for  back  rentals,  Sept.  9. 

State  Fair  of  N.  Y.  State  Agricultural  Society.  (Joel  B  Nott, 
Pres't.)  first  held.  Syracuse. 

Board  of  Trade  condemn  the  change  of  terminus  of  the  Mohawk  & 
Hudson  railroad  to  foot  of  So.  Ferry  street,  abandoning  head 
of  vState  street  station  for  passengers,  Se|)t.    iT^ 


530  TEUXIS    VAX    VECHTEN.  No.  4O. 

1841. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad  commencing  to  remove  tracks  leading 
to  the  station  from  junction  on  Western  avenue  to  head  of 
State  street,  citizens  organize  a  stage  line  and  begin  transfer- 
ring about  200  passengers  daily  to  the  Junction,  Sept.  22. 

Elizabeth  ija3'ard  Campbell  dies  at  Van  Rensselaer  Alanor,  Sept.  25. 

Rev.  Hodge,  Green  street  Baptist  church  pastor,  preaches  farewell, 

Sept.  26. 

Third,  or  South,  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  So.  Ferry  and  Green 
streets,  erected  1837  at  cost  $13,000,  burned  to  the  walls, 

Sept.  28. 

Line  of  12  stages  from  Schenectadv.  112  aboard,  pass  down  State 
street,  Oct.  9. 

John  A.  Dix  elected  to  Assembly,  535  majority  over  Azor  Taber, 
and  Erastus  Corning  State  Senator,  majority  571,       Nov.  2. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Washington  avenue  and  Swan  street, 
corner-stone  laid  ceremoniously  by  Rev.  Wm.  W.  Sprague  of 
the  Second  Presbyterian  church,  exercises  being  held  in  "  Old  "" 
Capitol,  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  James  Rawson, 

Nov.  9. 

Common  Council  accepts  proposition  of  directors  of  ?\Iohawk  & 
Hudson  road  offering  the  city  for  $150,000  their  State  street 
property,  city  to  bear  expense  of  doing  away  with  inclined 
planes  at  both  ends  of  the  road,  the  Albany  terminal  to  be  by 
locomotive  power  as  near  centre  of  city  as  possible,        Nov.  16. 

Jacob  N.  Clute,  a  Revolutionar}-  soldier,  aged  82.  dies,  Nov.  21.. 

David  Wood,  president  of  Canal  Bank,  aged  48,  dies,  Nov.  26. 

Common  Council  petitioned  b}-  J.  Hall  and  42  others  to  remove- 
Arbor  Hill  luuial-ground,  as  a  nuisance  to  vicinity,       Dec.   13. 

First  locomotive  ai  rives  from  Boston  on  Western  Railroad  Com- 
pany's line,  thus  opening  a  winter  route  to  New  York  bv  wa}- 
of  Hartford  and  New  Haven,  in  32  hours  without  night  travel, 
passengers  leaving  train  at  Greenbush  and  crossing  on  ferry, 

Dec.   19. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Dec.   H). 

Rev.  Duncan  Kennedy  installed  pastor  North  Dutch  Church, 

Dec.  23. 

Margaretta  Wright,  wife  of  (future  Mayor)  William  Parmelee, 
aged  23,  dies  at  I^ansingburg,  Dec.  24. 

Celebration  in  honor  of  lirst  train  from  Boston  and  completion  of 
the  Western  Railroad,  bringing  125  IMassachuse^ts  guests,  \\'\\o 
are  escorted  b)-  the  military  from  Greenbush  ferry  lo  Stanwix 
Hall  for  a  banquet  "iven  bv  Mr.  Landon,  Dec    28. 


No.  40.  TEUNIS    VAN    N'ECIITEX.  53I 

1842. 


1842. 

Lyman  Root,  an  eminent  and  wealthy  citizen,  identified  \\-itli  c'ty's 
commercial  enterprises  forty  years,  aged  6?,  dies,  Jan.   i. 

Abraham  Cuyler's  widow.  Elizabeth,  dies,  Jan.   17. 

First  Presbyterian  Chnrch  gives  concert  participated  in  by  jaip.ous 
English  singer,  Braham,  Jan.  24. 

Gideon  Hawley  chosen  Regent,  vice  late  James  King,  Feb.  i. 

River  open  to  navigation.  j"eb.  4. 

Steamboat  Telegraph  arrives  despite  great  freshet,  Feb.  6. 

Azariali  C.  Flagg  appointed  .State  Comptroller  a  second  time, 

Feb.  7. 

Mr.  Samuel  F.  B.  Morse,  of  New  York  city,  had  invented  a  practical 
form  of  machine  by  which  to  operate  an  electric  telegraph,  its 
primitive  form  mtended  to  make  use  of  movable  type,  to  print 
characters  on  a  paper  tape,  employing  the  "  intensity  "  magnet 
that  Professor  Henry,  of  Albany,  had  discovered  in  1828,  and 
which  he  had  publicly  described  in  his  paper  read  before  The 
Albany  Institute  in  March,  1829,  and  also  published,  without 
which  peculiar  magnet  and  until  its  application  was  pointed  out 
to  Morse  by  his  assistant,  L.  D.  Gale,  he  could  not  make  an 
electric  current  operate  (by  Gale's  own  testimony)  doing  the 
best  they  knew  how,  for  a  distance  any  greater  than  from  15  to 
40  feet,  at  which  distance  the  current  was  so  weak  as  to  be 
barely  discoverable.  Morse  had  come  to  Professor  Henry  at 
Princeton  several  times,  while  the  former  was  perfecting  his  in- 
vention, about  1837,  seeking  scientific  advice  in  relation  to  his 
machine  that  he  was  inventing,  and  Henry  had  freely  accorded 
it  to  him,  placing  all  his  knowledge  at  his  disposal.  It  is  inter- 
esting to  note  (in  view  of  a  published  attack  of  Morse  of  90 
pages  printed  in  a  work  for  which  he  was  responsible,  in  1845) 
that  when  the  Government  was  deciding  the  advisability  of  ap- 
propriating the  sum  of  $30,000  to  allow  Morse  to  run  an  experi- 
mental line  between  Washington  and  Baltimore,  it  had  sought 
first  the  knowledge,  as  to  whether  it  was  likely  to  work,  from 
Professor  Henry,  and  on  him  the  decision  as  to  making  an  ap- 
propriation rested.  (Henry  endorsed  Morse's  machine  as  prac- 
tical ;  the  bill  for  the  appropriation  was  introduced  by  Flon.  C. 
G.  Ferris  of  New  York,  in  December.  1842;  passed  the  House 
Feb.  23,  1843,  3-'Tcl  the  Senate  on  March  3rd,  to  be  operated 
imder  Morse's  patent  filed  April  7,  1838,  issued  June  20,  1840; 
the  four  wires  extended  between  the  two  cities,  40  miles,  and 


1^32  TEUNIS    VAN    VFXHTEN.  No.  4O. 

1842. 

the  first  message  was  sent  on  May  24,  1843.)  This  letter,  writ- 
ten by  Professor  Henry  to  Morse  (described  by  Morse's  biogra- 
pher as  "  the  most  encouraging  communication  Professor  Morse 
received  during  the  dark  ages  between  1839  and  1843,")  was 
appended  to  the  Congressional  bill  to  influence  its  passage,  and 
shows  Henry's  willingness  to  help  even  those  working  along 
similar  lines,  and  for  which  aid  Henry  was  never  accorded  any- 
thing but  jealous  antagonism  by  ]\lorse :  "  My  Dear  Sir:  I  am 
pleased  to  learn  that  you  have  again  petitioned  Congress  in 
reference  to  your  telegraph  ;  and  I  most  sincerely  hope  you  will 
succeed  in  convincing  our  Representatives  of  the  importance  of 
the  invention  '•'  '■■  '•'  Science  is  now  fully  ripe  for  this  ap- 
plication, and  I  have  not  the  least  doubt,  if  proper  means  be 
afforded,  of  the  perfect  success  of  the  invention  *  *  *  and 
unless  some  essential  improvements  have  lately  been  made  in 
these  European  plans,  I  should  prefer  the  one  invented  by  your- 
self.    Yours  truly,  Joseph  Henry,  Princeton,  N.  J.,"       Feb.  24. 

Common  Council  by  vote  10  to  6  agrees  to  widen  So.  Pearl  street 
by  taking  15  feet  froni  west  side,  from  State  to  Howard  street, 

March  7. 

State  Plouse  on  Eagle  street.  Pine  to  Steuben  street,  completed, 
costing  $350,000. 

Charter  election:  Mayor — Barent  P.  Staats,  Democratic,  2,868 
votes ;  John  Townsend,  Whig,  2,532  votes ;  total  votes  cast, 
5,400;  Staats'  majority  being  336  votes,  April  12. 


(See  No.  42.) 


No.  41. 


Jan.  24.  1839— Dec.  31,  1839. 
Jan.  1.  1840—  Ma>^  1 1,  1840. 
May  12,  1840— May   11,   1841. 


No.  41. 
JARED  LEWIS  RATHBONE. 

Date  of  office:       (a)   January  24,  1839  —  December  31.  1839. 

(b)   January  i,  1840  —  May  11,  1840. 

fc)    May  12,   1840  —  May   10,  1841. 
Date  of  election:     (a)    January  21,  1839. 

(b)  December  30.  1839. 

(c)  May  5,  1840. 
Political  party:     Whig-. 

J'^ote:     (a)    Appointed  bv  Common  Council,  A'an  A^echten  resigned. 

(b)   . 

( c )  2,466. 
Opponent:     (a)    None. 

(b)  None. 

(c)  Erastus  Corning,  fee)   Barent  Sanders. 
Political  party:     Democrat. 

T^ofe:     (a)   None. 

(b)   . 

(c)  2.099.  '  cc )  4,  Ijlank  and  scattering  19. 
Total  Tote:     (a)    None. 

(b)   . 

(c)  4.588. 

Date  of  birth:     August  2,  1791. 

Place  of  birth:     Salem,  Conn. 

Parents:     Samuel   (R.)  and  Lydia  Sparhawk. 

Education:     Good  schooling. 

Married  to:     Pauline  Noyes  Pinney. 

Date:     June  26,  1834. 

Children:     (2)  Henry  Reed,  Jared  Lawrence. 

Residence:     No.  28  Eagle  street,  corner  State  street. 

Occupation:     Provision  merchant,  51  Qua}'  street. 

Religion:     Baptist. 

Date  of  death:     May  13,  1845. 

Place  of  death:     No.  28  Eagle  street. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Last  Alayor  chosen  by  Common  Council.  Elected  to 
complete  \^an  A'echten's  term.  First  Mayor  elected  by  popu- 
lar vote.  President  Albany  Medical  College.  Alderman. 
Benevolent. 


i 


41.     JARED  LEWIS   RATHBONE. 
1S39-1841. 
From  the   water-color   painting,   made   from  life  by  John  Godin  of  Wash- 
ington, :ind  owned  in  1904  by  his  granddaughter,  Mrs.  Buckner  M.  Randolph, 

■of  Philadelphia. 


No.  41-  .TARED    LEWIS    RATIIBONE.  535 

1839. 

(Continued  from  Xo.  40.) 
1839. 


Tared  Lewis  Ratlibone,  having  been  elected  Mayor  by  the  Common 
Council  on  January  2 1st,  Mayor  Teunis  Van  Vechten  having 
•  resigned,  assumes  the  duties  of  that  office,  Jan.  24. 

Gen.  Stephen  \"an  Rensselaer,  III.,  aged  75  years,  Patroon  of  the  \  an 
Rensselaer  Manor,  dies.  He  had  lived  a  life  that  had  brought 
him  honor  and  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens,  and  his  reputation 
as  a  cultured,  liberal  and  virtuous  man  extended  well  beyond 
his  city.  He  was  fifth  in  descent  from  the  original  founder  or 
patroon,  and  was  born  Nov.  i,  1764,  in  New  York  city,  his 
mother  being  Catherine,  daughter  of  Philip  Livingston.  He 
married  IMargaret,  third  daughter  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  at 
Saratoga,  before  twenty  years  of  age,  and,  as  a  widower,  he 
married  Cornelia,  only  daughter  of  William  Paterson,  in  May, 
1802.  Was  member  of  State  Assembly  and  vState  Senate,  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor, and  Congressman ;  in  military  afifairs  dis- 
tinguished himself  as  major-general  by  placing  the  American 
flag  victoriously  on  the  Heights  of  Oueenstown.  Canada,  in  the 
War  of  1812,  on  Oct.  13th.  Daniel  D.  Barnard's  discourse,  a 
complete  sketch  of  life  and  character,  delivered  before  The 
Albany  Institute,  of  which  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  was  its  first 
president,  delivered  April  15.  1839,  will  be  found  occupying  46 
pages  in  Munsell's  Annals,  \^ol.  HI,  p.  281,  Jan.  26. 

Express  messenger,  Dimmick,  despatched  by  Baker  &  Walker  at 
5  :46  p.  m.,  within  two  hours  after  death  of  Patroon  Van  Rens- 
selaer, to  convey  the  intelligence  to  New  York,  after  swimming 
two  rivers  where  the  bridges  had  been  swept  away  by  floods, 
Redhook  and  Fishkill,  arrives  at  Carlton  House,  a  distance  of 
more  than  150  miles,  in  14  hrs.  31  mins.,  at  8:20  a.  m.,     Jan.  27. 

John  Townsend  elected  to  succeed  Stephen  \'an  Rensselaer  as  presi- 
dent of  Albany  Savings  Bank,  '  January. 

Soup  house  opened  in  the  City  Hall  for  those  driven  from  homes 
by  unusually  high  freshet,  Jan.  27. 

Number  of  paupers  in  the  alms-house  at  this  time  is  532..      Jan.  31. 

Profits  of  the  Greenbush  ferry  for  past  year  were  $1,081.92.     Feb.  i. 

Rev.  Edward  Allen  installed  at  Fourth  Presbvterian  Church. 

Feb.  6. 

Aid.  Richard  S.  Treat's  widow,  Gertrude,  dau.  of  Dr.  Stringer,  dies, 

Feb.   15. 


536  .TARED    LEWIS    RATHBONE.  No.  4I. 

1839. 

John  Tayler  Cooper  appointed  major-general  ist  Division  of  New- 
York  State  Cavalry  in  place  of  late  Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rens- 
selaer, Feb.  15 

James  Boyd,  aged  j"],  dies,  Feb.  22. 

Chamberlain  reports  to  Common  Council  that  the  cost  of  the  new 
steam  ferry  to  Greenbush  is  $8,688.25,  Feb.  26. 

Common  Council  passes  resolution  allowing  the  Mohawk  &  Hudsoa 
railroad  to  extend  tracks  from  Gansevoort  to  So.  Ferry  st., 

Feb.  26. 

Museum  lUiilding  greatly  damaged  by  fire,  IVIarch  2 

H.  W.  Preston  announces  that  owing  to  the  sudden  transfer  of  the 
Theatre  to  St.  Paul's  Church  vestry  he  should  build  a  new  one, 

March  16, 

River  open  and  the  Swallow  arrives,  March  25. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  postmaster  17  years,  removed  and 
succeeded  by  Azariah  C.  Flagg,  March. 

Pearl  Street  Theatre,  H.  W.  Preston  manager,  last  performance  be- 
fore being  converted  into  St    Paul's  Church,  March  30. 

Pearl  Street  House  afire  and  greatest  conflagration  in  years,  burn- 
ing the  block.  Pearl,  ^Madison  ave.,  Plamilton  and  Rose  streets, 

April  20. 

Relief  committee  reports  expenses  of  soup  kitchen  since  Jan.  28th, 
and  supplying  1,530  persons  at  one-third  of  a  cent  each, 

April  30. 

Dr.  John  F.  Townsend,  aid  to  Gov.  Seward,  unanimously  elected 
brigadier-general,  ist  Brigade  of  Horse  Artillery,  May  6. 

Legislature  adjourns.  May  8 

Charter    election.    Common    Council :     G.    V.    S.    Bleecker,    Ralph 

Pratt,  I.     Ichabod  L.  Judson,  George  Merrifield,  H.     Elisha 

W.  Skinner,  John  Groesbeck,  \\\.     Stephen  T.  Thorn,  Joel  R. 

Dickerman,  \\! .    Adolphus  Colburn,  Timothy  Spears,  V.     Elec- 

'  tion.  May  8. 

North  Dutch  Church  relinquishes  rights  to  the  Watering  Place, 
(Steamboat  Square)  in  payment  of  a  claim  of  the  corporation, 

May  13. 

Election  to  decide  whether  to  authorize  Common  Council  to  borrow 
$400,000  to  aid  construction  of  Albany  &  West  Stockbridge 
railroad,  resulted  in  its  favor,  3,245  votes  for  the  loan  and  625 
in  opposition  to  the  movement.  May  20. 

Gen.  H.  V.  Du  Coudray  Holstein,  distinguished  diplomat  and  officer 
under  Bonaparte,  native  of  Germany,  teacher  of  French  in 
Female  Academy,  aged  76,  dies,  ^Tay  2t^. 


VAN  RENSSELAER  MANOR  HOUSE  OF  1765. 

This  shows  how  ihe  residence  erected  in  1765  by  Stephen  Van  Rensse- 
laer, II.,  the  Patroon,  looked  until  reconstructed  in  1843.  Portico  was  small  and 
,wings  octagonal.  From  a  painting  made  in  1839.  His  son,  Gen.  Stephen  Van 
Rensselaer.  III.,  died  here  on  Jan.  26,  1839. 


No.  41-  JARED    LEWIS    RATllBOXE.  537 

1839. 

Common  Council  appoints  George  Weed  clerk  and  Robert  11.  Pruyn 
city  attorney,  Hazael  Kane  police  justice,  May  27. 

Bell  directed  placed  in  cupola  of  the  jail  for  tires,  June  10. 

Committees  appointed  to  conduct  the  city  loan  to  the  railroad  com- 
pany, Marcus  T  Reynolds,  Thomas  W.  Olcott  and  Lewis  Bene- 
dict for  the  Albany  &  West  Stockbridge  railroad  and  Pratt, 
Ten  Eyck,  Skinner  and  McMullen  appointed  by  mayor  for  the 
■    city,  June  10. 

Francis  Bloodgood  elected  president  of  New  York  State  Bank,  and 
Rufus  H.  King  vice-president,  June  12. 

Common  Council  resolves  to  borrow  $650,000  with  which  to  purchase 
stock  of  the  Albany  &  West  Stockbridge  railroad  to  amount  of 
$300,000,  and  to  loan  remainder  to  subscribers  to  stock,    July  i. 

Independence  Day  celebrated,  Solomon  Southwick  orator,       July  4 

Smith  Weed,  native  of  Stamford,  Conn.,  a  commissary  during  the 
Revolution,  wounded  at  Battle  of  Danbury,  a  merchant,  aged 
85,  dies,  July  10. 

President  Martin  Van  Buren  arrives  and  is  addressed  by  Gov. 
William  L.  Marcy  before  immense  audience  before  City  Hall, 

July   24. 

Henry  Clay,  great  American  statesman,  arrives  and  puts  up  at  Eagle 
tavern  on  So.  Market  street  (Broadway),  arriving  by  way  of 
Trov  in  a  barouche,  accompanied  by  John  Townsend,  Daniel 
D.  Barnard  and  John  Bay.  and  when  nearing  the  city  joined  by 
a  large  procession,  Gen.  Townsend,  marslial,  to  act  as  escort, 

Aug.  17. 

Henry  Clay  leaves  in  morning  by  steamboat  for  New  York,  Aug.  19. 

Benjamin  Knower,  prominent  in  commercial  life,  aged  64,  dies, 

Aug    23. 

Steamboat  Albany,  Capt.  Jenkins,  makes  15  landings  and  makes  the 
trip  in  9  hrs.  7  mins.  from  New  York,  -^ug.  23. 

Francis  Pjret  Harte,  famous  author  (dies  in  England,  ]\Iay  5,  1902) 
born  here,  -'^ug.  25. 

Steamboat  Rochester  arrives,  without  landing,  8  hrs.  35  mins., 

Sept.  2. 

Trinity  Church,  third  Episcopal  congregation  in  city,  organized, 
services  held  in  Westerlo,  between  Church  and  Dallius  streets, 
Rev.  Isaac  Swart  subsequently  chosen  rector,  Sept.  4. 

State  street  bridge  to  Pier  gives  way  and  21  drown. 

Steamboat  North  America  l)uilt  by  Devine  Burtis,  4(j4  tons,  48  x  132 
in.  engine. 

Steamboat  Albany  makes  si)ecd  record,  arriving  in  8  hrs.  49  mins., 
less- 10  landings,  running  time  7  lu's.  40  mins.,  never  equaled, 

Sept.  25. 


Z^^S  JARED    LEWIS    RATHBONE.  No.  4I. 

1839. 

Judge  Jesse   Buel,  native  of  Coventry,  Conn.,  originally  a  printer, 

came  to  Albany  in  1814,  established  The  Argus,  state  printer 

1814  to  1821,  many  years  in  Assembly,  a  regent,  candidate  for 

governor  in  1836,  retired  in  1821  to  his  farm,  Albany  Nursery, 

and  became  world-known  as  an  agriculturist,  dies  at  Danbury, 

Conn.,  age  63,  Oct.  6 

Dr.  Rensselaer  Gansevoort  dies  in  Louisiana,  aged  39,  Oct.  19. 

James  D.  Wasson's  wife  Harriet  E.-,  dies,  Nov.  3. 

Friend  Humphrey  elected  Senator,  H.  G.  Wheaton  Assemblyman, 

Nov.  6. 
Solomon  Southwick,  prominent  publisher,  aged  66,  dies,  sketch  of 
his  life  printed  in  "  Annals  of  Albany,"  Vol.  V,  p.  104,  Nov.  18. 
County  Sheriff  Michael  z*\rtcher  resisted  by  anti-renters  in  several 
Helderberg  towns,  calls  out  the  posse  comitatus,  and  about  one 
thousand  citizens  accompany  him  to  the  Helderbergs,     Nov.  30. 
Sheriff  xArtcher's  posse  sets  out  for  Reidsville  and  meets  with  oppo- 
sition four  miles  beyond  Clarkcsville,  several  hundred  farmers 
on  horseback  forcing  the  sheriff  and  posse  to  turn  back,  and 
they  arrive  at  their  homes  at  Albany  at  9  p.  m.,  worn  out  with 
fatigue,  Dec.  2. 

Sheriff  Artcher,  reinforced  by  a  number  of  military  companies  from 
Albany,  Troy  and  other  places,  marches  to  Clarkesville  and 
maintains  military  jurisdiction,  Dec.  9. 

Governor  issues  a  proclamation  declaring  supremacy  of  laws, 

Dec.  10. 
Gen.  Averill,  with  500  men  arrives  in  Albany  from  Montgomery 
county,  for  invasion  of  the  Helderbergs  against  the  anti-renters ; 
but  they  find  they  are  outnumbered  and  capitulate.     He  serves 
the  summonses  without  opposition,  Dec.  11. 

Sheriff  and  the  military  companies,  worn  with  trudging  twelve  miles 
in  a  deep  snow,  arrive  back  at  Albany  and  Troy,  the  commands 
being  the  Albany  Burgesses'  Corps,  Capt.  Bayeux.;  Albany 
Union  Guards,  Capt.  Brown ;  Albany  Republican  artillery,  Capt. 
Strain;  ist  Company  Van  Rensselaer  Guards,  Capt.  Kearney: 
2nd  Company  Van  Rensselaer  Guards,  Capt.  Berry ;  Troy  Ar- 
tillery, Capt.  Howe ;  Troy  Citizens'  Corps,  Capt  Pierce ;  Troy 
City  Guards,  Capt.  Wickes.  They  were  composed  of  the  edu- 
cated men  of  the  respected  families,  Dec.  15. 
River  closed  to  navigation,  Dec.  19. 
Jared  Lewis  Rathbone  re-elected  Mayor  by  Common  Council, 

Dec.  30 


No.  41-  jARED    LEWIS    RATHBONE.  539 

1840. 


1840. 

Jared  L.  Ratlibone  again  assumes  office  of  Mayor,  Jan.  i. 

Population  of  the  city  at  this  time  33,762. 

Population  of  the  State  of  New  York  2,428,921. 

Slaves  in  New  York  State  number  only  four. 

Female  Academy  obtains  a  fine  collection  of  busts  from  George 
Combe,  of  Edinburgh,  who  lectures  there  on  phrenology, 

Jan    6. 

Meeting-  held  in  St.  Peter's  church  vestry  to  consider  providing  a 
place  of  worship  for  boatmen  of  the  harbor,  Jan.  31. 

Solomon  Van  Rensselaer's  wife,  Arriet,  aged  65,  dies,  Feb.  3. 

Wm.  E.  Bleecker  elected  president  of  Young  A'len's  Association, 

Feb.  4. 

American  Lodge,  No.  32,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  re-instituted,  Feb.  11. 

St.  Paul's  Church.  So.  Pearl  street,  formerly  the  Theatre,  (west 
side,  bet.  Beaver  st.  and  Hudson  ave.)  consecrated  by  Bishop 
Onderdonk,  Feb.  22. 

River  open  to  navigation,  Feb.  25. 

Kosciuszko,  famous  Polish  patriot  (born  in  Lithuania,  Russia,  Feb. 
12.  1746)  who  served  with  the  Americans  in  the  Revolution, 
and  commander-in-chief  and  dictator  in  the  Polish  insurrection 
of  1794,  arrives  by  boat  from  New  York  as  a  visitor  to  the 
city,  Feb.  26. 

Post-Office  moved  into  the  Exchange  Building,  Feb.  27. 

Grade  of  Lodge  between  Howard  and  Beaver  streets  established, 

March  2. 

Francis  Bloodgood,  former  Mayor,  a  graduate  of  Yale,  lawyer, 
many  years  clerk  of  Supreme  Court,  a  founder  of  New  York 
State  Bank  and  president  at  this  time,  a  man  of  unusually  fine 
disposition,  kindliness  and  integrity,  aged  72,  dies,  March  5. 

Teunis  A^an  A^echten  elected  president  of  Albany  Insurance  Co.  to 
fill  vacancy  caused  by  death  of  Francis  Bloodgood,     March  16. 

Rufus  IF  King  elected  president  of  the  New  York  State  Bank  to  fill 
vacancy  caused  by  death  of  Francis  Bloodgood,         March  16. 

Oratorio  of  "  The  Creation  "  at  2nd  Presbyterian  Church,     April  9. 

Y.  AL  A.  removes  from  No.  451  Broadway  to  Exchange  Building. 

"  The  Cutivator  "  and  "  Genesee  Farmer  "  consolidated  by  Luther 
Tucker. 

Common  Council  appropriates  $50  towards  jnirchase  of  a  bell  for  the 
Third  Dutch  Reformed  Church  in  So.  Ferry  street,       April  13. 


540  .TARED    LEWIS    RATHBOXE.  No.  4I. 

1840. 

Chamberlain   reports   city  expenses  past  year   as   $246,055.47, 

April  21, 

Jared  L.  Rathbone  resigns  office  of  Mayor,  April  27. 

Charter  election,  at  which  Jared  L.  Rathbone,  Whig,  receives  2,466 
votes ;  Erastus  Corning,  Democrat,  receives  2,099  votes ;  ma- 
jority for  J.  L.  Rathbone,  372  votes.  May  5. 
•         •         • 

Jared  Lewis  Rathbone  assumes  office  of  Mayor,  May  12. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  Jared  Lewis  Rathbone ;  Common  Council : 
G.  V.  S.  Bleecker,  John  D.  Hewson.  L  George  Merrifield, 
Visscher  Ten  Eyck.  IL  John  Groesbeck,  Arnold  Nelson,  IIL 
James  Robinson,  Joel  R.  Dickerman,  I\".  Thomas  McElroy, 
Charles  Chapman,  A'.    Election,  May  5  ;  sworn  in.  May  12. 

Legislature  adjourns,  having  passed  318  laws.  May  14. 

A  count  made  on  So.  Market  street  (Broadway)  corner  of  Hudson 
avenue,  shows  that  on  this  day  there  passed  9,762  persons  on 
foot,  407  wagons,  146  stages  and  234  other  vehicles  before 
night,  May  14. 

Expenses  of  Fire  Department  for  year  to  May  ist,  $10,950,  May  15. 

Barent  Bleecker,  some  years  president  of  Bank  of  Albany,  80,  dies, 

June  I. 

Edward  Livingston,  distinguished  citizen.  Assembly  clerk,  district- 
attorney,  speaker  of  Assembly,  dies,  June  16. 

Log  cabin  erected  at  corner  of  Maiden  Lane  and  Dean  street  by 
followers  of  the  party  of  "  Tippecanoe  and  Tyler,  too,"  built 
by  hundreds  of  voters  in  one  day,  as  a  rallying  point,  June  27. 

Independence  Day  orator  L'riah  Marvin.  Jr.,  reader,  Geo.  Vance, 
Jr.,  '  July  4- 

Robert  Packard,  of  the  printing  firm  of  Packard  &  Van  Benthuysen, 
aged  66  years,  dies,  July  15. 

Common  Council  receives  petition  signed  by  Dr.  Charles  D.  Town- 
send  and  180  others  requesting  that  the  name  of  North  Market 
street  be  changed  to  Broadway.  Tennis  Van  A'echten  opposed, 

July  20. 

Name  of  Capitol  street  changed  to  Park  street,  July  20. 

Bank  of  Albany  elects  Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck  its  (7th)  president,  to 
succeed  Barent  Bleecker,  deceased. 

Common  Council  resolves  to  change  name  of  North  [Market  street 
to  Broadway  by  a  vote  of  9  to  3,  Aug.  3. 

Draw  of  the  bridge  at  foot  of  State  street,  leading  to  the  Pier,  falls, 
and  21  persons  in  the  crowd  watching  an  insane  man  escape 
are  drowned  because  of  the  number  overwlielmed  and  strug- 
gling, Aug.  22. 


GOVERNOR    \V.    L.    MARCV 


REV.    BARTHOLOMEW    T.    WELCH. 


RURAL  CEMETERY. 

Rev.  Bartholomew  T.  Welch,  D.  D..  publicly  advocated  a  common  burial- 
ground  outside  the  city  at  a  meeting  held  in  Exchange  Building,  Dec.  31,  1840. 
Archibald  Mclntyre  presiding  ;  chartered  April  2,  1841.  Gov.  Marcy  died  July 
4,  1857.     In  1868  about  40,000  removed  here  from  State  and  Knox  sts. 


No.  41-  .TARED    LEWIS    RATHBONE.  54I 

1  840. 

Elizabeth  Ann  Dexter,  wife  (if  lion.  Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  residing 
in  Park  Place,  later  site  of  the  new  Cai)itol,  dies,         Aug.  30. 

Steamboat  Eureka,  Capt.  Shemian,  using  boilers  transferred  from 
the  Novelty,  makes  her  first  appearance,  Sept.  9. 

\  an  Rensselaer  Alanor  House  at  head  of  Proadwav  and  east  about 
200  feet  of  Troy  Road,  being  remodeled  by  Architect  I  pjohn, 
east  and  west  wings  added,  addition  of  a  stone  porch  of  the 
Corinthian  order,  the  cream-colored  bricks  covered  with  sanded 
mastic  and  the  whitestone  replaced  by  New  Jersey  sandstone. 

Steamboat  South  America  built  by  Devine  Burtis,  638  tons,  260  x  26 
X  9  feet,  engine  54  x  132  in. 

Jacob  L.  Lochner,  fruit  merchant,  continues  the  firm  established  by 
August  W'olenman  on  No.  Alarket  st.  (Broadway). 

\'an  Alstyne  &  Son,  hardware  merchants  (conducted  by  Alexander 
Davidson  in  1845,  afterwards  by  Alaurice  E.  Allele  and  later  by 
Albany  Hardware  &  Iron  Co.)  establish  business  at  corner 
State  and  Green  sts. 

Elisha  Kane,  long  a  prominent  citizen,  dies  \\'ashington,  63,  Oct.  3. 

Phoenix  Lodge,  No.  41,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  instituted,  Oct.  3. 

Harmanus   Bleecker   elected   president   of    St.    Nicholas    Society, 

Nov.'  18. 

Thaddeus  Kingsley,  a  Revolutionarv  soldier,  aged  82,  dies,     Nov.  29. 

City  canvassers  report  the  population  as  follows :  White  males, 
15,729;  wliite  females.  17,021;  colored  males,  378;  colored 
females,  499 ;  total  population,  33,627,  Dec.  4. 

River  closes  to  navigation,  Dec.  5. 

Common  Council,  seeking  a  good  source  of  water  for  city,  reports 
consent  of  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  to  lease  the  flow  of  Patroon's 
creek  for  $800  per  annum,  Dec.  21. 

Benjamin  Coveli,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  88,  dies,       Dec.  24. 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  first  projected  at  a  meeting  of  citizens  held 
at  Young  Men's  Ass'n  rooms,  Archibald  Mclntyre  presiding  and 
Ira  Harris  serving  as  secretary,  addressed  by  Rev.  B.  T.  Welch, 
D.  D.,  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Resolutions  reported  by  a  com- 
mittee consisting  of  Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  Amos  Dean,  Thomas 
Worth  Olcott.  Tennis  Van  Vechten,  Geritt  Yates  Lansing  and 
Lewis  Benedict.  A  committee  on  organization  and  to  select 
site  was  named  as  follows :  Rev.  B.  T.  WVlch,  Stephen  \"an 
Rensselaer,  John  A.  Dix,  John  O.  Wilson,  James  Horner.  An- 
thony M.  Strong,  Peter  Gansevoort,  Ezra  P.  Prentice,  Ira 
Harris,  Thomas  W.  Olcott,  Ellis  l^)aker,  Otis  Allen  and  John 
Y.  Wendell,  Dec.  31. 


542  .TARED    LEWIS    RATHBONE.  No.  4I. 

1841. 


1841. 

Express  stage  run  from  Albany  to  New  York  by  the  New  York 
American  publishers  in  the  speediest  time  ever  made,  12  hrs. 
40  mins.,  Jan.  5. 

Freshet  within  a  few  inches  as  high  as  the  great  freshet  of  1839, 

Jan.  9. 

James  McKown  resigns  office  of  Recorder  of  the  city,  occupied  fif- 
teen years,  and  is  succeeded  by  William  Parmelee,         Jan.  10. 

Charles  E.  Dudley  who  had  been  the  34th  Alayor,  dies.  His  father, 
Charles,  had  been  the  King's  collector  of  customs  in  Rhode 
Island,  and  the  son,  born  at  Johnson  Hall,  Staffordshire,  Eng., 
May  2T^,  1780,  was  educated  at  Newport  and  came  here  in  1819, 
engaging  in  mercantile  pursuits  and  making  several  trips  to 
India;  was  State  Senator  1820-24,  and  United  States  Senator 
1829-33.  Jan.  23. 

Citizens  meet  at  Y.  ]\I.  A.  Hall  and  discuss  making  application  to 
Legislature  for  a  bridge  across  river  because  of  the  many  days 
of  no  communication,  when  neither  sleighs  upon  the  ice  nor 
ferries  are  able  to  run,  the  Mayor  presiding  and  Messrs.  Samuel 
Stevens  and  John  Y.  L.  Pruyn  speaking.  A  committee  named 
to  apply,  Jan.  30. 

Peter  Gansevoort's  wife,  Alary  Sanford,  aged  2y,  dies,  Feb.  5. 

James  G.  Brooks,  former  editor  of  Daily  Advertiser,  dies,     Feb.  20. 

Alderman  McElroy  reports  favorably  to  Common  Council  dividing 
the  city  into  10  wards  and  holding  annual  charter  election  on 
second  Tuesday  in  April,  the  same  date  as  observed  by  New 
York,  and  thus  shut  out  traveling  voters,  Feb.  23. 

Ezra  P.  Prentice  and  others  petition  Common  Council  owning  prop- 
erty in   Fox  street  to  change  the  name  to  Canal  street, 

Alarch   I. 

Fire  chief  reports  that  during  past  six  months  there  were  only  three 
fires,  and  the  total  loss  not  over  $250,  March  3. 

Cannon  fired  at  sunrise  and  general  celebration  until  evening,  closed 
with  fireworks  in  honor  of  inauguration  of  President  William 
Henry  Harrison,  Alarch  4. 

River  ice  passes  out  from  before  the  city,  March  23. 

Assembly  committee  on  a  bridge  over  Hudson  reports  adversely, 

March   26. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  reinstated  as  postmaster,     March  26. 

Henry  G.  Wheaton  appointed  district  attorney,  March  27. 


No.  4^-  jar1':d  lewis  ratubone.  543 

1841. 

Albanv  Gas  Light  Compaii}-  incorporated,  TTcnry  L.  Webb,  presi- 
dent, Alarch  27. 

Elizabeth  A  an   Rensselaer,   wife  of  John   Bleecker,  aged   y^t^   dies, 

March  2Q. 

Timothy  Powers,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  90,  dies,       April  2. 

Albany  Gas  Light  Co.  locates  at  Arch  and  Grand  streets,  capitalized 
at  $100,000;  President,  Henry  L.  Webb;  Thomas  W.  Olcott, 
James  Stevenson  and  Joel  Rathbone,  directors,  April  i. 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  Association  chartered,  April  2. 

Steamboat  Troy  built  by  William  H.  Capes,  724  tons,  295  x  30  x  9 
feet,  engine  44  x  120  in. 

Steamboat  Columbia  put  in  commission. 

News  of  the  death  of  President  W^illiam  Henry  Llarrison  on  April 
4th,  received  at  Albany  on  April  6th,  and  the  day  of  the  funeral 
was  observed  by  exercises  in  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church ; 
but  the  firemen's  torchlight  procession  postponed  until  following 
night  because  of  inclement  weather,  April  10. 

Low  buildings  at  s.  \y.  cor.  State  and  Broadway  being  removed  for 
erection  of  a  4-story  block  to  be  known  as  Douw  Building, 

April   12. 

Charter  election  in  which  the  vote  for  Mayor  results :  Tennis  Van 
Vechten,  Whig,  2,449 ;  Gerrit  Yates  Lansing,  Democrat,  2.339 : 
blank  and  scattering.  40;  total.  4,828;  Van  Vechten's  majority 
over  Lansing,  no,  and  he  is  declared  elected  Alayor  of  Albany, 

April    13. 
•         •         • 

(See  No.  40.) 


No.  42. 

laiTut  pitilt^  »tmU. 


May  lO,  1842  —April  17,  1843. 


No.  42. 

BARENT  PHILIP  STAATS. 

Date  of  office:     May  to.  1842  —  April  17,   i!^43. 

Date  of  election:     April  12,  1842. 

Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     3,031. 

Opponent:     (a)   John  Townsend.    (aa)   Wm,    Mayle. 

Political  party:     Whig- 

Vote:     2;429,  (aa)  54,  blank  and  scattering  18. 

Total  vote:     5,532. 

Date  of  birth:     September  25,  1796. 

Place  of  birth:     Staats  Island,  Rensselaer  county. 

Parents:     Philip  (S.)  and  Annatje  Van  Alstyne. 

Education:     Medical  College. 

Married  to:     (a)    Maria  Gourlay. 

(b)  Maria  Ann  Winne  (d.  May  9,  1830). 

(c)  Caroline  Porter. 
Date:     (a) 

(b)  November  24.  1825. 

(c)  1835. 

Children:     (a)   Helen  (d.  y.).  Helen  (Stokes), 
(b)    John  (d.  y.),  Anna  Sickler. 

Residence:     No.  53  North  Pearl  street. 

Occupation:     Physician. 

Religion:     Episcopalian. 

Date  of  death:     July  9,  1871. 

Place  of  death:     No.  61  North  Pearl  street. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Doctor. 

Remarks:  Alderman.  Assembly,  1834.  Supervisor,  old  fifth  ward. 
First  penitentiary  physician.  Strictly  temperance,  genial, 
generous,  and  possessed  of  a  strong-  sense  of  justice. 


42. 


BARENT  PHILIP  STAATS. 
I 842- I 843. 
From  a  photograph  made  from  life  by  J.  H.  Abbott,  Albany,  owned  in  1904 
by  his  granddaughter,  Mrs.  Charles  W.  Abrams. 


No.  42.  BARENT    PHILIP    STAATS.  547 


1842. 


(Continued  from  No.  40.) 
1842. 


Dr.  Barent  Philip  Staats  assumes  the  office  of  ^Nlayor  of  Albany, 
having  been  elected  at  tlie  Charter  election  held  on  April  12, 
1842,  when  as  the  Democratic  candidate  he  received  2,868  votes 
to  the  2,532  votes  cast  for  the  Whig  candidate,  ex-Mayor  John 
Townsend ;  majority  336,  May    10. 

James  R.  Rose  elected  clerk  of  the  Common  Council  by  that  board, 
Andrew  J.  Colvin  city  attorney,  John  Bratt  surveyor  and  S.  \' . 
R.  Ableman  alms-house  superintendent,  by  vote  12  to  10, 

May  10. 

Charter  election,  Alayor,  Barent  Philip  Staats;  Common  Council: 
William  Chambers,  William  L.  Osborn,  I.  William  P.  Mal- 
burn,  David  Burhans,  11.  Bradford  W.  Hand,  Argalus  W. 
Starks,  III.  Chauncey  Whitney,  Abram  Koonz,  IV.  Visscher 
Ten  Eyck,  Andrew  White,  V.  Cornelius  Ten  Broeck,  Jacob 
L.  Winnie,  VI.  Charles  Chapman,  John  Van  Volkenburgh, 
VII.  John  McKnight,  Jacob  Downing,  \'III.  Hazael  Kane, 
William  R.  Ford,  IX.  Michael  Artcher,  Joshua  I.  Jones,  X. 
Election,  April  12;  sworn  in.  May  10. 

Common  Council  discusses  the  case  of  Engine  Company  No.  9, 
which  at  the  recent  fire  dragged  its  engine  up  the  hill  and 
left  it  standing  before  the  City  Hall  because  of  certain  remarks 
by  the  previous  Common  Council,  and  expecting  to  be  exon- 
erated by  the  new  board ;  but  decision  went  against  the  company 
by  vote  of   10  to  9,  May   16. 

Captain  Samuel  Schuyler,  aged  61,  dies.  May  16. 

Methodist  Church,   Washington  ave.   and   Swan   st.,   dedicated. 

May  22. 

Capt.  David  Olmstead,  native  of  Ridgefield,  Conn.,  who  came  to  this 
city  in  1798,  and  for  manv  years  prominent  as  a  river  navigator 
and  city  superintendent,  aged  'J2  years  and  surviving  his  wife, 
Dorcas,  aged  71,  by  only  four  days,  dies.  May  31. 

City  treasurer  reports  expenditures  of  past  year  as  $i()3,877.50  and 
the  receipts  as  $197,639.16,  June   i. 

Case  of  Engine  Company  No.  9  again  before  the  Common  Council 
and  a  vote  to  adjourn  without  action  resulting  in  a  tie.  8  to  8, 
the  Mayor  cast  a  vote  against  adjourning ;  but  the  Whigs  with- 
drew and  left  the  board  without  a  quorum.  June  22. 

People's  Line  first  operates  its  boats  as  a  night  line,  June. 

Schuyler  &  Brainerd  Towing  Line  formed,  June. 


548  BARENT   PHILIP    STAATS.  No.  A2. 


1842. 


Independence  Day  celebrated ;  Rev.  John  N.  Campbell,  orator,  and 
William  N.  Strong  the  reader.  The  temperance  societies  and 
the  Young-  Men's  Association  also  hold  ceremonies,  each  with, 
orator  and  reader,  and  the  Germans  hold  a  celebration  of  their 
own,  Jnly  4. 

Forbes  Mansion  built  at  Bath-on-the-Hudson  (opposite  the  north 
end  of  this  cit}^)  a  mile  above  Greenbush  on  an  elevation  over- 
looking the  Hudson  river,  by  William  Patterson  Van  Rensse- 
laer, younger  brother  of  Stephen  Aan  Rensselaer,  the  patroon 
residing  in  the  Manor  House  at  the  head  of  Broadway. 

Hon.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer's  century  plant  that  he  had  owned 
more  than  fifty  years,  having  purchased  it  soon  after  the  Revo- 
lution at  an  auction  sale  of  a  confiscated  estate  in  New  York 
city,  when  it  was  full-grown,  advanced  to  maturity  by  artificial 
heat  in  his  extensive  conservatory  and  exhibited  for  a  small 
fee  for  the  benefit  of  the  Albany  Orphan  Asylum  building, 

July  22,. 

Hon.  Stephen  \'an  Rensselaer's  century  plant  putting  forth  a  high 
stalk  and  about  to  bloom,  growing  at  rate  of  18  to  24  inches 
in  a  day,  now  21  feet  in  height,  persons  coming  specially  to 
view  it  even  so  far  as  from  Ohio,  Sept.  13. 

Citizens  assemble  at  the  Capitol,  Erastus  Corning  presiding,  in 
opposition  to  grading  of  State  street  at  a  time  of  financial  dis- 
tress, Sept.   17. 

South  Market,  erected  in  1829.  at  the  ancient  Watering  Place,  later 
the  Steamboat  Square,  taken  down  and  the  place  graded  for 
steamboat  wharfage,  leased  to  Isaac  Xewton  at  $1,000  a  year  fo" 
term  of  three  years,  Sept.   17. 

Oliver  Teall,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  84,  dies,  Sept.  19. 

Mrs.  Christina  Heaxt,  oldest  citizen,  aged  102  years,  dies,     Sept.  20. 

State  Fair  held  for  the  second  time,  James  S.  Wadsworth  it- 
president,  and  the  first  time  exhibiting  at  Albany. 

Musical  instruction  given  in  city  schools  for  the  first  time,  Prof. 
Ferdinand  1.  Ilsley. 

Boston  &  Albany  or  "  Middle  "   ferry  established. 

State  House,  east  side  of  Eagle  street,  Pine  to  Steuben  St.,  costing 
$350,000,  completed. 

Herkimer  street  ordered  excavated  from  Eagle  to  Lark  st.,     Oct.  3. 

Common  Council  accepts  invitation  to  attend  celebration  of  the 
Croton   aqueduct  extended  bv  New   York's   Common   Council, 

Oct.  3. 

Capt.  Franklin  Townsend  and  his  Washington  Artillerists  go  on 
first  target  practice  excursion,  Oct.    18. 


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Xo.  42.  13ARENT    PHILIP    STAATS.  549 

1842-1843. 

The  Patroon's  century  plant  having  come  to  maturity  and  reaching' 
a  iieight  of  26  feet,  is  sent  to  New  York  to  be  exhibited. 

Nov.   I. 

Daniel  D.  Barnard  receives  6,327  votes  in  Albany  county,  for  Con- 
gressman, and  James  AT.   French  5,980,  Nov.  8. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Nov.  28. 

Rev.    Edward    F.    Allen,    pastor   6   years    of    Fourth    Presbyterian 
Church,  aged  28,  dies.  Dec.  20. 

Rev.  Frederick  George  flayer,  pastor  },"]  years  of  the  First  Lutheran 
Church,  dies,  Dec.  31. 


1843. 


\\'illiam  C.  Bouck  becomes  Governor  of  New  York,  Jan.  i. 

Gov.  Bouck's  message  transmitted  to  New  York  by  messenger  on 
a  horse  in  10  hours  and  25  minutes,  lacking  still  any  railroad 
to  that  city,  Jan.  2. 

Thermometer  13  degrees  below  zero,  Jan.  4. 

Benjamin  W.  Wooster's  furniture  store  established  (continued  until 

1905)- 

Thermometer  15  degrees  below  zero,  Feb.   17. 

George  \"ance,  Jr.,  a  publisher  of  Albany  Atlas,  dies,  Feb.  23. 

The  Emigrant  Society  organized  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  "  Old '" 
Capitol,  Garret  L.  Dox  presiding,  John  Tracey,  secretary,  and 
Bradford   R.   Wood   is   elected  president,  Feb.   23. 

A'an  Heusen  &  Charles  ( Theodore  V.  Van  Heusen  and  Daniel  D. 
Tompkins  Charles)  establish  a  large  crockery  and  glassware 
business  (existing  by  such  name  in  1905  ),  ]\Iarch  i. 

Perry  Stove  Works,  famous  the  world  over,  started. 

Robert  Hunter,  owner  of  several  stage-coaches  known  as  "  Pennsyl- 
vania six-horse  wagons,"  and  who  placed  his  savings  in  the 
Pilot  Line  of  canal-boats  on  completion  of  the  canal,  and  on 
his   death   president   of  the   Canal   Bank,   aged   50,   dies, 

March    2. 

Common  Council  outlines  duties  :in(l  creates  office  of  Fire  Chief 
and  fixes  his  salary  at  $600,  ]\Iarch  6. 

Leonard  Gansevoort's  widow.  Alary,  aged  82,  dies,  April  2. 

Solomon  \^an  Rensselaer  removed  as  [)ostmaster  and  is  succeeded 
bv  Tanies  D.  W^asson.  April  2. 


550  BARENT    PHILIP    STAATS.  No.  42, 

1843. 

Friend  Humphrey  elected  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  election, 
receiving  3,210  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate,  and  Peter  Ganse- 
voort  2,984  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate  ;  Nathan  Colburn. 
32  votes,  and  scattering,  blank,  etc.,  14  votes ;  total  number  of 
votes  cast,  6,240;  his  majorit}^  over  Peter  Gansevoort  being 
226  votes,  and  he  is  declared  elected,  April   11. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  43) 


No.  43. 


April  18,  1843  — April  15,  1844. 
April  16, 1844  — April  14,  1845. 

April  17,  1849  —April  15, 1850. 


No.  43. 
FRIEND  IIU^^IPHREY. 

Date  of  office:     (a)   April  18,  1843-April  15.  1844. 

(b)  April  16,  1844-April  14,  1845. 

(c)  April  17,  1849-April  15,  1850. 
Date  of  election:     fa)   April  11,  1843. 

(b)  April  9,  1844. 

(c)  April  10,  1849. 
Political  party:     Whig. 

Vote:     (a)   3,210. 

(b)  3,268. 

(c)  3.142. 

Opponent:     (a)    Peter  Gansevoort,  (aa)  Nathan  Colburn. 

(b)  George  M.  Stanton,  (bb)  Thaddeus  Joy,  (bbb)  Na- 

thaniel Safford. 

(c)  Thomas  Hun. 
Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     (a)   2.984,  (aa)   32,  blank  and  scattering  14. 

(b)  2,638,  (bb)  143,  (bbb)  30,  blank  and  scattering  7. 

(c)  2,925. 
Total  vote:     (a)  6,240. 

.      ■         (b)  6,086. 
(c)   6,072. 
Date  of  birth:     March  8,  1787. 
Place  of  birth:     Simsbury,  Conn. 
Parents:     Noah  (H.)  and  Margaret  Case. 
Education:     School  at  Simsbur\\ 
Married  to;     (a)   Hannah  Hinman  (d.  about  1822). 

(b)   Julia  Ann  Hoyt  (d.  April  24,  1851). 
Date:     (a)   Troy,  about  181 1. 
(b)   Utica,  about  1825. 
Children:     (a-3)    Gideon,  Harriet  Louisa  (married  Clark  B.  Greg- 
ory), Aaron  Burr. 
(b-5)    Mary  Elizabeth  (d.  y.),  Theodore  Friend,  Jamef 
Hoyt,  Correl,  Alexander  Beebee. 
Residence:     No.  14,  North  Pearl  street. 
Occupation:     Leather  merchant. 
Religion:     Baptist. 
Date  of  death:     ]\Iarch  15,  1854. 
Place  of  death:     No.  14  North  Pearl  street. 
Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 
Title:     Senator. 

Remarks:     Came  to  Albany  in  181 1.     Popular,  energetic,  advanced 
morality.     Closed  public  markets  on  Sunday.     Senator,  1839. 


43-     FRIEND   HU^^IPHREY. 
1843-45;  1849-50. 
From  a  crayon  portrait  owned  in  1904  by  his  son,  Theodore  Friend  Hnmphrey^ 
New  York. 


No.  43-  FRIEND    IIUMPIIREV.  553 


1843. 


(Continued   from   Xo.  42.) 
1843. 


Friend  Humphrey  assumes  the  office  of  Mayor  of  Albany,  he  havin;;' 
been  elected  at  the  Charter  election,  held  on  April  nth,  as  tht* 
Whig  candidate,  receiving  3,210  votes,  to  the  2,984  votes  cast 
for  the  Democratic  candidate,  Peter  Gansevoort ;  Mayor  Hum- 
phrey's majority  being  226  votes,  April  18. 

Common  Council  organizes  and  appoints  Sylvanus  H.  H.  Parsons, 
clerk ;  H.  H.  Hickox,  deputy  chamberlain ;  Horace  B.  Webster, 
city  attorney ;  Wm.  ]\IcC.  Cushman,  surveyor ;  Isaac  M.  Com- 
stock,  police  justice,  and  John  Morgan  superintendent  of  alms- 
house, April  18. 

Charter  election.  Mayor  Friend  liumphrey ;  Common  Council : 
William  Chambers,  Peter  Carmichael,  I.  William  W.  For- 
syth,   William    W.    iMonteath,    H.      M.    ■ •    Hendrickson, 

John  M.  Hughes,  HI.  William  Adams,  Denison  W'orthington, 
IV.  Visscher  Ten  Eyck,  Andrew  White,  V.  William  McElroy, 
Edward  3*1.  Tcall,  VI.  Rensselaer  West,  Robert  iMcCullom, 
Vll.  John  McKnight,  Jacob  Dowling,  VIII.  John  S.  \  an 
Rensselaer,  Ichbold  L.  Judson,  IX.  Joshua  I.  Jones,  Thomas 
Kirkpatrick,  X.    Election,  April  11 ;  sworn  in,  April  18. 

The  river  season  in  activity,  the  ice  having  passed  out  on  April  13th 
after  remaining  intact  since  Nov.  28th,  the  longest  closed  season 
(136  days)  on  record,  the  Utica  being  the  first  steamboat  to 
arrive  on  the  first   date   mentioned,  April    19. 

Albany  Hospital  having  been  incorporated  on  April  14th,  funds  are 
raised,  April  20. 

Pomeroy  &  Co.  establish  Hudson  River  Express  Line. 

Elisha  Dorr,  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  native  of  Lyme,  Conn., 
who  was  stationed  on  Long  Island  during  war,  aged  80,  dies, 

April  30. 

Wm.  A.  Tweed  Dale  elected  president  of  Sailors'  Bethel.  3ilay  30. 

Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House  (erected  in  1765)  having  been  ex- 
tensively remodeled  by  Upjohn  since  1840,  first  occupied  by 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  Jr.,  the  "  Young  Patroon,"       June  3. 

Ex-Mayor  B.  P.  Staats  presides  at  a  meeting  in  the  "  Old  "  Capitol 
where  Irish  repeal  is  considered  at  a  meeting  of  Irishmen, 

June  21. 


554  FRIEND    HUMPHREY.  No.  43. 


1843. 


Independence  Day  celebrated,  Willis  Hall  the  orator  and  Edward 
S.  Willett  reading  the  Declaration,  July  4. 

Utica  &  Schenectady  railroad,  later  on  incorporated  with  other  lines 
to  form  the  New  York  Central,  elects  John  \'.  L.  Pruyn  its 
secretary  and  treasurer  to  succeed  Gideon  Hawlcy,  resigned, 

]u\y  4- 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  appoints  John  A'arley  the  first  superin- 
tendent. 

John  Keyes  Paige  elected  president  of  the  Canal  Bank,       July  12. 

Steamboat  Express  put  on  Schuyler's  Albany  Passenger  Line. 

Ex-President  John  Onincy  Adams  (President  1825-1829)  visits  Al- 
bany and  is  heartily  received,  Ai^ig-  2. 

Samaritan  Lodge,  Xo.  93,  L  O.  O.  F.,  instituted,  -^"g-  4- 

Steamboat  Empire  built  by  William  H.  Brown,  936  tons,  307  feet 
long,  30  feet  broad,  9  feet  deep,  (2)  48  x  144  in.  engine. 

John  C.  Yates,  son  of  late  John  \  an  Ness  Yates,  aged  29.  dies, 

Aug.  12. 

Steamboat  Knickerbocker  makes  her  first  appearance  here  in  7 
hours,  33  minutes,  running  time,  and  a  record,  built  by  Smith 
&  Dimon,  1,000  tons,  291  feet  long,  31  broad,  9  feet  deep, 
6^  X  120  in.  engine,  -"^i^ig-  18. 

Wilmarth  .Southwick,  brother  of  Solomon,  aged  65,  dies,     Aug.  19. 

Common  Council  orders  that  farmers  expose  for  sale  no  more  meat 
on  State  street ;  but  use  lower  part  of  Howard  street  near 
Market,  Aug.  27. 

Daily  Knickerbocker  first  issued  by  Hugh  J.  Hastings,       Sept.  4. 

George  W.  Merchant,  aged  53,  dies,  Sept.   5. 

Rev.  Henry  N.  Pohlman  installed  by  First  Lutlieran  Church, 

Sept.  24. 

James  \'anderpoel,  long  a  state  circuit  judge,  aged  57,  dies, 

Oct.    3. 

Rev.  Samuel  Fisher,  of  \\\  Bloomfield,  X.  J.,  installed  by  the 
F'ourth  Presbyterian  Church,  Oct.   13. 

Common  Council  appropriates  $150  for  an  ornamental  steering- 
wheel  for  the  new  United  States  frigate  Albany,  Oct.  16. 

James  McClure  of  James  &  Archibald  McClure,  an  alderman,  and 
who  sought  to  introduce  gas  into  Albany  by  giving  a  series  of 
demonstrations,  aged  45,  dies,  X^ov.   16. 

Common  Council  sanctions  contract  with  the  ^lohawk  &  Hudson 
railroad,  making  a  loan  to  the  road  of  $125,000  for  20  years 
at  5"/',  the  city  to  expend  $60,000  upon  track  and  depot,  to  be 
leased  to  the  road  for  20  years  at  nominal  rent,  when  railroad 
is   to   have   option    of   buying   the   same,   paying   ^^c    for   past 


No.  43-  FRIEND    HUMPHREY.  555 


1843-1844. 


use,  and  the  company  agreeing  to  proceed  at  once  to  construct 
a  rail  route  along  Patroon's  creek,  to  connect  with  the  Boston 
ferry  at  foot  of  Maiden  Lane,  Nov.  27. 

River  frozen  over  on  the  5th  and  closed  to  navigation,  Dec.  10. 

Abraham  Van  Vechten  elected  city  attorney  to  succeed  Horace  B. 
Webster,   deceased,  Dec.    11. 

South  Baptist  Society  dedicates  new  edifice  on  west  side  of  So. 
Pearl  street  at  head  of  Herkimer  street,  Dec.  25. 


1844, 


Gerrit  V.  S.  pjleecker's  wife,  Jane  Shepherd,  aged  43,  dies,      Jan.  i. 
Otis  Dimmick,  renowned  as  a  rapid  messenger  on  horse,  carries  the 

Governor's  Message  to  Troy  in  24  minutes,  Jan.  2. 

Nicholas  Bleecker,  aged  86,  dies,  Jan.  8. 

Anthony  Rhoades  Armington,  aged  37,  dies,  Jan.  22. 

Thermometer  14  degrees  below  zero,  Jan.  28. 

Charles  Smvth,  first  agent  of  tow-boats  on  river,  aged  60,  dies, 

Feb.  6. 
Benjamin  Austin,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  87,  dies,  Feb.  14. 
Washington  Rifle  Company  organized,  Feb.  22. 

Salem  Dutcher,  a  prominent  merchant,  aged  41,  dies  in  New  York, 

Feb.  25. 
Col.  Robert  Elliott,  assistant  postmaster  quarter  of  century,   dies, 

March,  10. 
John   V.    Henry,    Jr.,    who    had   been   postmaster   at   Ann   Arbor, 

Mich.,  dies  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  ]\Iarch  11. 

Ice  in  river  breaking  up,  no  communication  with  east  shore, 

March  14. 
River  open  to  navigation   (Government  record),  March  18. 

Third  Presbyterian  Church  sells  its  place  on  Montgomery  street  and 

buys  a  lot  on  Clinton  Square  and  Chapel  street,        March  29. 
Common  Council  takes  steps  to  aid  establishment  of  a  State  Normal 

school  in  this  city,  April  i. 

Albany  Hydrant  Co.  formed  by  John  TovvMisend,  John  Keyes  Paige 

and  some  others. 
Law  for  incorporation  of  the  Albany  Penitentiary  on  April   13th,  is 

prepared  by  the  city  attorney,  April  10. 

Albany  Waterworks  Co.  increases  capital.  $40,000  to  $80,000. 


556  FRIEND    HUMPHREY.  No.  43. 


1844. 


jNlayor  Friend  Humphrey  re-elected  at  the  Charter  election,  receiving 
3.268  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate ;  George  W.  Stanton,  2,638 
votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  Thaddeus  Joy,  143  votes ; 
Nathaniel  Safford,  30  votes;  blank  and  scattering,  7;  total. 
6,086  votes  cast;  Humphrey's  majority  over  Stanton,  630  votes, 

April  9. 
•         •         • 

Mayor  Friend  Flumphrey  again  assumes  office,  he  having  been 
elected  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  9th  by  a  majority 
of  630  votes,  as  the  Whig  candidate,  April  16. 

Common  Council  elects  Sylvanus  H.  H.  Parsons  clerk  of  board; 
H.  H.  Hickcox,  deputy  chamberlain  ;  Abraham  A'an  Vechten, 
city  attorney,  April  16. 

Common  Council  lets  contract  to  Kirkpatrick  &  LaGrange  to  supply 
the  alms-house  with  meat  at  2y2  cents  per  pound,       April  16. 

Charter  election,  ]\Iayor  Friend  Humphrey;  Common  Council: 
William  Chambers,  Homer  R.  Phelps,  I.  Peter  Carmichael, 
Packard  A^nn  Benthuysen,  H.  Robert  Freeman,  G.  V.  S. 
Bleecker,  HP  William  Adams,  Denison  Worthington.  IV. 
Thomas  AlcAIullen,  George  Dexter.  Y.  William  McElroy, 
Edward  AP  Teall,  VT.  John  \"an  Xess,  Jr.,  Timothy  Spears, 
VH.  John  McKnight,  David  D.  Ramsey,  VHP  Alfred  B. 
Street,  Christopher  xA.dams,  IX.  Michael  Artcher,  Philander 
Coley,  X.     Election,  April  9;  sworn  in.  April  16. 

Hugh  Humphrey,  for  26  years  superintendent  of  the  Water  Works 
Co..  resigns.  April  25. 

Montgomery  Hall  demolished.  April  30. 

City  chamberlain  reports  for  past  year  expenditures.  $303,344.98, 
and  receipts.  $322,809.65,  May  i. 

X^ew  York  State  Xormal  School  established  at  Albany  (David  B. 
Page  its  first  principal)   by  Legislative  Act,  May  7. 

Remains  of  Col.  John  ]\Iills.  who  fell  in  the  Battle  of  Sackett's 
Harbor  on  May  29,  1813.  interred  in  centre  of  Capitol  Park,  on 
a  line  with  centre  of  State  street ;  Robert  E.  Temple  delivering 
a  glowing  eulogy  in  his  memory,  May  29, 

Steamboat  South  America  makes  record  trip  from  X'ew  York,  run- 
ning time  only  7  hours.  May  30. 

Capt.  Thomas  Bayeux,  aged  43,  dies,  June  4. 

Stanwix  Hall,  renovated,  opened  by  Wheeler  &  Bromley,      June  10. 

Common  Council  petitioned  by  John  L.  Winne.-  Joseph  Hall  and 
others  to  do  away  with  the  Arbor  Hill  burial-ground  on  Ten 
Broeck  street,  as  adjacent  land  had  been  graded  lower  and 
falling  soil  revealed  coffins  ;  decision  to  remove  remains  to  Rural 
Cemetery,  lune   10. 


No.  43-  FRIEND     lir.MlMIREV.  557 

1844. 

A  hospital  for  the  citv  (kMiiandcd  l)y  twch'e  clcri^ymcn  writing  to 
The  Argus.  June   12. 

DeWitt  CHnton's  remains,  interred  in  the  l)urial-ground  on  Swan 
street,  removed  to  New  York  for  burial,  June  21. 

Independence  Day  celebrated :  oration  by  Charles  L.  .Vustin  ;  A.  D. 
Robinson,  reader  of  the  Declaration  ;  Col.  Sam'l  \'an  X'echten 
marshal  of  the  parade,  July  4. 

Westerlo  \^an  Rensselaer  dies,  July  8. 

Resolutions  passed  on  "  repeal  movement  "  in  Ireland,  at  a  meeting 
held  in  the  "  Old  "  Capitol,   John  L.  Schoolcraft  presiding, 

July  8. 

Hope  Lodge,  No.  2,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  (instituted  April  24,  1826)  re-in- 
stituted, July   15. 

Delavan  J  louse  (  Broadway,  Steuben,  Alontgomery  and  Columbia 
streets)  being  erected  by  Edward  C.  Delavan,  July  20. 

Third  Presbyterian  Church,  facing  Clinton  Square  at  southwest 
corner  of  Patroon  street    (Clinton  ave.)    corner-stone  laid, 

July   29. 

Philomathean  Lodge,  No.  711,  G.  L^^.  O.  of  O.  F.  granted  dispensa- 
tion, July- 

Hon.  Stephen  A'an  Rensselaer's  wife,  Cornelia,  aged  64,  dies  at 
New  York,  Aug.  6. 

\Vm.  L.   Stone,   former  editor  of  Daily  Advertiser,  aged  52,  dies, 

Aug.   15. 

Hudson   Avenue   Methodist   Church   dedicated,  Sept.   27. 

Col.  Nicholas  \"an  Rensselaer's  wife,  Eliza,  aged  85,  dies  at  Green- 
bush,  Sept.  28. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad  trains  first  pass  down  new  tracks  of 
Tivoli  Hollow  to  depot  at  foot  of  Alaiden  Lane  adjacent  to  the 
Boston  ferry,  which  makes  Stanwix  Llall  a  most  popular 
hostelry,  Sept.  30. 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  consecrated,  military,  fireman  and  civic 
bodies  uniting  in  an  imposing  procession,  the  clergv  carrving 
out  religious  exercises,  and  Hon.  Daniel  D.  Barnard  delivering 
address,  Oct.   7. 

John  Cook  organizes  the  second  band  Albany  ever  had. 

Henry  G.  Wheaton  elected  Congressman  and  Ira  Harris  Assembly- 
man, Nov.  5. 

Albany  Gas  Light  C"o.  (incorporated  March  27,  184O  subscribed 
for  successfully  in  the  sum  of  $100,000,  Nov.   13. 

Albany  Savings  Bank  first  open  daily  in  the  Fall. 

Henry  Trowbridge,  Albany  ^Museum's   founder,  aged  69,  dies, 

Dec.  ;. 


558  FRIEXD    HUAIPHREY.  No.  43. 

1844-1845. 

Christian  Miller,  present  at  the  inauguration  of  Washington  when 
an  artillerist,  coming  to  Albany  in  1789,  agent  for  John  Jacob 
Astor  in  fur  trade  (born  in  Hanau,  Ger.,  Alch.  7,  1767)  aged 
78.  dies,  Dec.  6. 

River  closed  to  navigation    (Government   record),  Dec.    17. 

New  York  State  Normal  School  opened  in  building  formerly  the 
Mohawk  &  Hudson  depot,  near  the  northeast  corner  of  State 
and  Eagle  streets,  and  later  Van  Vechten  Hall,  David  Perkins 
Page  created  its  first  principal,  paying  rental  of  $1,200  to  rail- 
road, Dec.  16. 

Mayor,  recorder  and  supervisors  directed  to  secure  site  for  the 
Albany  Penitentiary,    (authorized  by  Act  of  April   13th), 

Dec.    19. 

First  IMethodist  Church,  south  side  of  Hudson  street  (avenue)  be- 
tween Grand  and  Philip  streets,  dedicated,  Dec.  25. 

Albany  Burgesses'  Corps,  Emmet  Guards,  Van  Rensselaer  Guards 
and  Washington  Riflemen  (protect  Hudson,  N.  ;Y.,  against 
Anti-renters,  Dec.  31. 


1845. 


Silas  Wright  inaugurated  Governor  of  New  York,  Jan.   i. 

Population  of  the  city  at  this  time  41,152  persons,  Jan.   i. 

Townsend  House,  on  site  of  Alontgomery  Hall,  opened  as  hotel, 

Jan.    I. 

Common  Council  directs  that  the  morning  bell  be  struck  from  Feb. 
I  St,  at  sunrise  instead  of  at  8  a.  m.,  and  that  the  bell  of  the 
Fourth  Presbyterian  also  be  struck,  Jan.  6. 

David  y.   P.   Colvin,  aged  45,  dies,  Jan.   7. 

Telegraph  line  first  completed  from  Albany  to  Utica,  Jan.  31. 

First  telegraph  ofiice  in  city  opened  under  O.  S.  Wood,  in  Exchange 
Building,  Feb.   i. 

John  Van  Buren  appointed  state  attorney-general.  Feb.  3. 

River  open   (Government  record),  and  steamboat  Norwich  arrives, 

Feb.  24. 

The  city  having  obtained  possession  of  Arbor  Hill  cemetery,  on  Ten 
Broeck  st.,  which  was  conveyed  to  Dirck  Bradt  and  11  others  by 
Stephen  \'an  Rensselaer  Oct.  31,  1764.  to  bury  corpses  of  Reuj- 
selaerswyck,  decides  to  convey  the  property  to  Stephen  Van 
Rensselaer.  March  25. 

Steamboat  Swallow  wrecked  near  Athens,  and  among  the  35  persons 
drowned  three   from  this  city,  April  6. 


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No.  43-  FRIEND    HUMPHREY.  559 

1845, 1849. 

John  Keyes  Paige  elected  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  election, 
receiving  3,148  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate;  Friend 
Humphrey  receiving  3,110  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate;  Jacob 
Lansing  receiving  160  votes  as  the  Native  American  candidate; 
Nathaniel  Satlord  receiving  12  votes  as  the  Abolition  candidate; 
blank  and  scattering,  9  votes ;  total  6,439  votes ;  J.  K.  Paige's 
majority  over  P".  Humphrey,  38  votes,  and  John  Keyes  Paige  is 
declared  elected,  April  7. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  44.) 

(Continued  from  No.  46.) 
1849. 


Friend  Humphrey  sworn  in  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  having  been 
elected  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  loth,  when  he 
received  3,142  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate;  Thomas  Hun  re- 
ceiving 2,925  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  total,  6,072 
votes;  Humphrey's  majority  over  Hun  being  217  votes,  he  was 
declared  elected  Mayor,  April  17. 

The  Albany  Hospital  having  been  incorporated  on  April  14th,  those 
agitating  a  building  begin  soliciting  subscriptions,       April  17. 

Law  establishing  a  court  of  special  sessions  goes  into  force, 

April  17. 

Charter  election,  INIayor,  Friend  Humphrey ;  Common  Council : 
William  L.  Osborn,  Lucien  B.  Laney,  L  John  W.  Harcourt, 
Edward  Satterlee,  H.  Charles  W.  Godard,  Garret  V.  S. 
Blcecker,  HL  John  D.  Hewson,  George  T.  Ladue,  IV.  Henry 
Bleecker,  James  McNaughton,  V.  Charles  AL  Jenkins,  James 
A.  Wilson,  VL  William  Gillespie.  Henry  B.  Hewitt,  VH".  Pat- 
rick M.  McCall,  Chauncey  P.  Williams,  VHL  Richard  H. 
Thomson,  William  Gumming,  IX.  Michael  Artcher.  George 
M.  Sayles,  X.     Election,  April  10;  sworn  in,  April  17. 

Pier  opening  between  State  and  Columbia  streets  having  been  found 
too  narrow  to  admit  vessels  readily  into  the  Basin,  an  Act  was 
Vi'as  passed  on  April  14th,  authorizing  the  space  to  be  enlarged 
from  60  to  126  feet,  work  commences  thereon,  April  18. 

New  York  State  "  Herbarium  "  organized  l\v  Dr.  Torrcy,         April. 


560  FRIEND    HUMPHREY.  No.  43. 

1849. 

Albany  &  Schoharie  Plank  Road  Co.  organized  at  a  meeting,  Tennis 

Van  V'echten  presiding,  April  20. 

Conrt  of  Special  Sessions  first  opened  by  the  Recorder  and  Justice 

Cole,  April  24. 

Novel  form  of  car,  built  at  the  James  Goold  carriage   factory  in 

this  city,  placed  on  the  track  of  the  Champlain  &  St.  Lawrence 

road,  April  28. 

Boy  born  of  German  parents  on  up  trip  of  the  Isaac  Newton, 

May  3. 
Friends'  Aleeting-house,  south  side  of  Plain  St.,  burned  some. 

May  12. 
Rev.  Dr.  Dewey  preaches  farewell  at  Unitarian  Church,  May  13. 
Common  Council  appoints  John  Osborn  captain  of  fire  police, 

May  14. 
Albany  Daily  Messenger,  one  cent  paper,  issued  first  time,  B.  F. 

Romaine,  editor,  May  15. 

Ground  broken  at  southeast  corner  of  No.  Pearl  and  Colonic  streets 

for  Holy  Innocents'  Church,  May  16. 

Steamboat  Empire  wrecked  on  way  to  this  city.  May  18. 

Albany  &  Cohoes  railroad  stock,  $18,000,  subscribed  by  eight  per- 
sons, May  23. 
Common  Council  receives  report  that  hogs  running  the  streets  at 

large  number  four  thousand.  May  24. 

Propeller  named  Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  for  canal  navigation,  arrives 

in  the  Basin,  May  25. 

Work  begun   planking   the   Great   Western   Turnpike   from    Snipe 

street  westward,  May  29. 

Retiring  Postmaster  Wasson  presented  with  a  silver  pitcher  by  the 

corps  of  clerks.  May  31. 

Iron  Bridge  built  by  F.  Townsend  &  Co.  swung  across  the  Basin 

at  foot  of  Hamilton  street  to  the  Pier,  June   i. 

District  school  on  Arbor  Hill  opened,  June   i. 

Mayor  Humphrey  directs  physicians  to  report  to  him  each  day  at 

noon  any  cases  of  cholera,  as  Henry  Husthouse  had  died  two 

days  previous  of  that  dread  disease,  June  6. 

Holy  Innocents'  Church  corner-stone  laid  by  Bishop  WHiittingham 

of  the  bishopric  of  Maryland,  June  7. 

Isaac  Matson.  from  New  York,  stopping  at  Northern  Hotel,  dies  of 

cholera,  June  8. 

An  emigrant  dies  of  cholera,  June  9. 

Conrad  A.  Ten  Eyck,  a  justice  of  Justice's  Court,  bursts  blood-vessel 

and  dies,  June   10. 

Steamboat  New  World,  a  day  boat,  makes  first  appearance, 

June   II. 


I 


No.  43-  FRIEND    HUiMPHREY.  561 

1849. 

Albany  Hydrant  Co.  dissolved,  June   12. 

Five  deaths  from  cholera  in  past  three  days,  June  13. 

J\Ir.  Van  Wagner,  "  The  Poughkeepsie  Blacksmith,"  addresses  a 
pressing  throng  at  the  "  Temperance  Pavilion  "  erected  in  No. 
Pearl  st.,  June  14. 

JNIany  arrests  made  of  merchants  having  signs  protruding  more  than 
18  inches  from  their  stores,  June  15. 

Thermometer  98  degrees,  (being  within  two  degrees  of  the  Govern- 
ment record  at  Albany  up  to  1906),  June  21. 

Cholera  fatal  cases  were  2  on  26th,  i  on  27th,  3  on  28th,  2  on 
29th.  5  on  30th ;  deaths  by  cholera  during  June  number  22  out 
of  41  cases,  a  percentage  of  one  in  two,  fatal,  June  30. 

The  Sunday  Dutchman,  weekly  paper,  first  appears,  June  30. 

Cholera  becoming  almost  as  serious  an  epidemic  as  was  the  plague 
in  this  city  in  1832,  seven  cases  on  the  2nd  with  five  of  them 
fatal,  and  11  cases,  four  deaths,  July  3. 

Independence  Day  celebrated  by  three  processions,  July  4. 

Canal  Bank  receiver  announces  that  on  the  i6th  40  cents,  the  final 
dividend  and  full  amount  of  circulating  bills,  would  be  paid, 

Jtiiy  7- 

Marcus  T.  Reynolds  confirmed  by  Senate  as  Justice  of  Supreme 
Court,  July  7. 

Cornelius  J.  Cuyler,  aged  51  years,  dies,  Ji^^b'  ^^• 

Sixteen  new  cholera  cases  and  three  deaths,  July  12 

Riot  among  firemen  while  six  houses  burn  on  Broad  street, 

July   12. 

Thermometer  96  degrees  at  noon,  (4  beloAV  record  of  July  3, 
1898),  ^  July  12. 

Steamboat  Alida,  making  first  appearance  this  year,  equals  the  record 
trip  made  by  the  South  America  on  ]\Iay  30,  1844,  running 
time   from  New^  York  7  hours.  July   18. 

Thirteen  cases  of  cholera,  six  fatal,  July  19. 

Harmanus  Bleecker,  an  attorney  of  great  prominence  throughout 
the  State  and  one  of  the  greatest  philanthropists  Albany  ever 
produced,  dies  at  his  residence,  the  southeast  corner  of  Chapel 
and  Steuben  streets.  He  was  born  Oct.  19,  1779,  in  the  house 
one  door  south  of  where  he  died,  the  fifth  in  descent  from  Jan 
Jansen  Bleecker,  the  progenitor  of  the  widely  distributed  family 
in  America,  who  came  from  Meppel,  province  of  Overyssel, 
Holland,  in  1658  and  was  7th  Mayor  of  Albany.  Mr.  Bleecker 
studied  law  in  the  office  of  John  V.  Henry,  none  greater  versed 
in  the  law  at  the  time,  and  was  admitted  in  1801.  More  than 
two   score   lawyers   of  prominence   were   his   students,   among 


562  FRIEND    HUMPHREY.  No.  43. 


1849. 


them  David  Dudley  Field.  Several  times  elected  to  the  Assem- 
bly; in  1810  elected  to  Congress;  Regent  of  the  University; 
commissioner  to  settle  New  York-New  Jersey  boundary;  de- 
clined Governor  Clinton's  offer  of  adjutant-general ;  appointed 

Minister  to  The  Hague  by  Van  Buren,  and  for  his  many  good 
qualities  sincerely  mourned,  July   19. 

Steamboat  Alida  makes  record  run  from  New  York,  6  hours,  51 
mins.,  July  20. 

Gen.  JMatthew  Trotter's  widow,  Margaret,  (Trotter's  Alley  from 
Broadway  to  river,  south  of  Hudson  ave.,  named  after  him) 
aged  80,  dies,  July  23. 

Large,  brilliant  halo  about  the  sun,  forenoon,  .       July  25. 

State  Normal  school  first  occupies  its  own  building  erected  for  the 
purpose  at  northwest  corner  of  Lodge  and  Lloward  streets, 

July  30. 

Cholera  cases  during  the  month  numbered  3-13  and  deaths  125, 

July  31- 

Alms-house  has  405  inmates.  Penitentiary  has  173,  Aug.  I. 

National  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  following  the  President's  proc- 
lamation, because  of  cholera  and  plague ;  all  stores  closed, 

Aug.  3. 

Board  of  Health  orders,  under  penalty  of  $25,  that  sextons  report 
aU  burials,  Aug.    10. 

Ex-Mayor  John  Townsend's  wife,  Abby,  daughter  of  ex-Mayor 
Ambrose  Spencer,  aged  60,  dies,  Aug.  17. 

Seventy-six  cases  of  cholera  in  48  hours  reported ;  1 1  deaths, 

Aug.  27. 

Cholera  cases  during  month  numbered  348;  causing  154  deaths, 

Aug.  30. 

President  Zachary  Taylor  arrives  at  Albany  from  the  West,  and 
departs  on  a  steamboat  for  New  York,  Sept.  6. 

Hon.  Henry  Clay,  after  a  visit  to  Martin  A^an  Buren  at  his  home 
in  Kinderhook,  comes  to  Albany,  and  in  the  afternoon  leaves 
for  a  trip  to  the  West,  Sept.  8. 

Townsend's  Furnace  casts  an  enormous  iron  kettle  for  Syracuse  salt 
works,  weight  12  tons,  9  feet  deep  and  9  feet  across  brim, 

Sept.  13. 

Hose  Depot,  south  side  of  Plain  street  near  Philip,  construction 
begun  on  site  of  haymarket,  Sept.  18. 

Baron  Hecker,  exiled  German  patriot,  arrives  from  New  York  with 
50  companions  and  leaves  for  Illinois,  Sept.  18. 


No.  43-  FRIEND    HUMPHREY.  503 


1849. 


First  passenger  train  runs  on  the  Hudson  River  railroad.  New  York 

to  Peekskill,  Sept.  19. 

Pier  Company  and  the  city  have  understanding  regarding  the  Basin 

and  bridges,  the  latter  paying  the  company  $30,000  and  the 

concern  to  maintain  the  bridges,  Sept.  21. 

Amos  P.  Palmer's  wife,  Hannah  B.,  dies  at  Newton's  Corners, 

Sept.  26. 
Erastus  Corning  suffers  loss  (Corning,  Winslow  &  Co.)  of  $40,000 
by  fire  at  the  Albany  Nail  Works,  south  of  Troy,       Sept.  27. 
Albany  Medical  College  opened  by  Dr.  T.  R.  Beck  lecturing, 

Oct.  2. 
Telegraph  line  ("  telegraphery  ")  operating  to  Catskill,  Oct.  4. 

Telegraphic  communication  with  New  York  and  Buffalo,       Oct.  6. 
Albany,   Rensselaerville   &   Schoharie   Plank   Road   Co.   organized, 
Lansing  Pruyn  president,  Oct.  10. 

Following  heavy  freshet  caused  by  continued  rainy  spell,  T.  Carman 
went  above  the  Troy  dam  and  caught  7,000  suckers,  which  he 
brought  back  to  the  city  with  him,  towed  in  scows,       Oct.  11. 
Old  Cherry  Valley  turnpike  planked  to  Guilderland,  Oct.  17. 

Anti-rent  convention,  Oct.  18. 

David  B.  Douglas,  LL.D.,  who  laid  out  the  grounds  of  Albany  Rural 
Cemetery,  dies  at  Geneva  College,  where  engaged  as  professor 
of  Natural  philosophy,  Oct.  21. 

Peter  Wendell.  M.  D.,  born  here  in  1786,  one  of  the  foremost  prac- 
titioners. Regent  of  the  University  in  1823  and  its  Chancellor 
in  1842,  dies,  Oct.  29. 

Robert  Hewson  Pruyn  elected  Assemblyman,  receiving  292  more 
votes  than  ex-Mayor  B.  P.  Staats,  Nov.  6. 

Boardman  &  Gray,  piano  makers,  receive  a  medal  at  American  Insti- 
ti.ite  exhibition  in  New  York,  ^       Nov.  8. 

Severe  freshet  past  three  days,  much  damage,  caused  by  rain, 

Nov.  II, 
Thanksgiving  Day  celebrated,  Nov.  29. 

Al'^.any  &  Mohawk  Plank  Road  Co.  organized,  capital  $25,000, 
William  McElroy  its  first  president,  Dec.  i. 

Thos.  Turner,  former  resident,  U.  S.  Consul  to  Brazil  aged  30, 
dies  at  Bahia,  Brazil,  Dec.  2. 

Corps  of  men  sent  to  dig  for  coal  6  miles  west  of  Coeymans, 

Dec.  10. 

First  Presbyterian  Church  edifice,  at  northeast  corner  of  So.  Pearl 

and  Beaver  streets,  sold  for  $17,550  to  James  Kidd,        Dec.  13. 

Mayor  Friend  Humphrey  elected  president  Albany  City  Tract  Soc'y, 

Dec.  14. 
River  c'osed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  26. 


564  FRIEND    HUMPHREY.  No.  43. 

1850. 


1850. 

Legislature  convenes,  Jan.  i 

Population  of  the  city  50,762,  New  York  state,  3,097,394,       Jan.  i 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  commander-in-chief  of  forces  on  Navy 
Island  in  recent  Canadian  Rebellion,  dies  at  Syracuse,     Jan.  i 

Ralph  Waldo  Emerson  lectures  before  the  Young  Men's  Associatior 
at  the  North  Methodist  Church,  Jan.  10 

Ruel  Clapp,  of  Clapp  &  Townsend,  proprietors  of  Townsend's  Sar- 
saparilla,  dies  of  heart  failure,  Jan.  17 

Holy  Innocents'  Church  first  opened  for  service,  Feb.  3 

Thermometer  12  below  zero,  Feb.  6 

Rufus  G.  Beardsley  elected  president  of  the  Y.  M.  Association, 

"Feb.  7 

River  open  to  navigation  temporarily,  Feb.  10 

Albany  Daily  Times  makes  its  first  appearance,  Jacob  T.  Hazen 
editor,  published  by  Heron,  Furman  &  Thornton,  Feb.  16. 

Erastus  Corning,  Thomas  W.  Olcott,  James  Kidd  and  others  peti- 
tion the  Legislature  for  right  to  extend  Cohoes  railroad  to  the 
Vermont  line  near  Bennington,  Feb.  21. 

First  Presbyterian  church,  n.  e.  corner  So.  Pearl  and  Beaver  streets 
used  for  last  time.  Rev.  Dr.  J.  N.  Campbell  delivering  a  fare- 
well, March  3. 

First  Presbyterian  Church,  s.  e.  corner  of  Hudson  avenue  and 
Philip  street,  used  for  the  first  time,  March  10. 

River  open  to  navigation  (official  record),  March  10. 

Congregationalists  occupy  former  ist  Presbyterian  church,  n.  e.  cor. 
So.  Pearl  and  Beaver  streets,  hoisting  a  bell  weighing  2,058  lbs., 

March  22. 

Democrats  in  convention  nominate  Eli  Perry  for  Mayor,       April  2. 

Whigs  in  convention  nominate  Franklin  Townsend  for  Mayor, 

April  4. 

Congregationalists  first  use  building  n.  e.  cor.  So.  Pearl  and  Beaver, 

April   7. 

Water  commissioners  created,  chapter  235,  Act  of,  April  9. 

Franklin  Townsend  elected  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  election, 
receiving  3,229  votes  to  3,217  cast  for  Eli  Perry,  Democratic 
candidate,  and  10  blank  and  scattering;  total  number  of  votes 
cast,  6,456;  Franklin  Townsend's  majority  over  Eli  Perry,  12 
votes,  April  9. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  47.) 


No.  44. 

30I1U  2C^g^B  P^tg^- 


April  15.  1845  — April  13.  1846. 


No.  44. 

JOHN  KEYES  PAIGE. 

Date  of  office:    April  15,  1845-April  13,  1846. 

Date  of  election:    April  8,  1845. 

Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     3,148. 

Opponent:     (a)   Friend    Humphrey,    (aa)    Jacob    Lansing,    (aaa) 

Nathaniel  Safford. 
Political  party:     Whig. 

Vote:     (a)   3,110,  (aa)  160,  (aaa)   12,  blank  and  scattering  9. 
Total  vote:    6,439. 
Date  of  birth:     August  2,  1788. 
Place  of  birth:     Hardwick,  Mass. 
Parents:    Winslow  (P.)  and  Clarissa  Keyes. 
Education:    Williams  College. 
Married  to:     Helen  Yates  (dau.  of  Gov.  J.  C.  Yates). 

(b)  Anna  Maria  Bloodgood  (dau.  of  38th  Mayor). 
Date:     (a)   October  15,  1817,  at  Schenectady. 

(b)   November  20,  1833,  at  Albany. 
Children:     (a-i)  Joseph  Christopher  Yates. 

(b-6)  Anna  Bloodgood,  John  Keyes,  Clara  Antoinette, 
Frances  Cobham,  John  Keyes,  Alonzo  Winslow, 
Residence:     No.  17  Washington  avenue  Schenectady. 
Occupation:    Lawyer. 
Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 
Date  of  death:     December  10,  1857. 

Place  of  death:     No.  17  Washington  avenue,  Schenectady. 
Place  of  burial:    Vale  Cemetery,  Schenectady. 
Title:     Colonel. 
Remarks:    War  of  181 2.     President  of  the  Canal  Bank.     Clerk  of 

the  Supreme  Court  19  years.     Regent,  1826. 


44.     JOHN  KEYES  PAIGE. 
1845-1846. 
From  a  pliotograph  made  by  Floyd  of  the  oil  painting  by  Innian,  owned  in 
1904  by  his  grandcliildren  in  Schenectady. 


No.  44-  JOHN    KEYES  PAIGE.  567 


1845. 


(Continued  from  No.  43.) 
1845. 


John  Keyes  Paige  having  been  elected  Alayor  of  Albany  at  the 
Charter  election  held  on  April  8th,  at  which  he  received  3,148 
votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate,  Friend  Humphrey  3,110 
votes  as  the  Whig  candidate,  Jacob  Lansing  160  votes  as  the 
Native  American  candidate,  Nathaniel  Safford  12  votes  as  the 
Abolition  candidate,  and  blank  and  scattering  9  votes,  a  total  of 
6,439,  assumes  office  at  the  meeting  of  the  Common  Council 
as  the  successor  of  Mayor  Friend  Humphrey,  April  15. 

Common  Council  elects  Sylvanus  H.  H.  Parsons  its  clerk  and  Lewis 
Benedict,  Jr.,  city  attorney,  April  15. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  John  Keyes  Paige;  Common  Council: 
Patrick  B.  Rooney,  Homer  R.  Phelps,  L  Benjamin  Thomas, 
Samuel  Westcott,  H.  G.  V.  S.  Bleecker,  Henry  B.  Haswell, 
HL  James  Goold,  John  D.  Hewson,  IV.  Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck, 
Robert  Hewson  Pruyn,  V.  John  A.  Livingston,  Robert  AIcCul- 
lom,  VL  Timothy  Spears,  Stephen  Van  R.  Ableman,  VH. 
John  IMcKnight,  David  D.  Ramsey,  VHL  Eli  Perry,  Thomas 
Coulson,  IX.  ]\Iichael  Artcher,  Philander  Coley,  X.  Election, 
April  7;  sworn  in,  April  15. 

Hon.  Jared  Lewis  Rathbone,  the  41st  Mayor  of  Albany  and  head 
of  the  firm  of  Rathbone  &  Chapin,  merchants,  born  at  Salem. 
Conn.,  on  August  2,  1791,  dies  at  his  residence,  southwest  cor- 
ner of  State  and  Eagle  streets.  May  13. 
Albany  Rural  Cemetery  first  interment.  May. 
Ira  Harris'  wife,  Louisa,  aged  35,  dies.                                     May  17. 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  receives  its  bell,  weighing  2,800  pounds, 

June  9. 
Common  Council  petitioned  to  restore  State  street  pumps,  June  15. 
Killian  K.  \'an  Rensselaer,  son  of  Killian  Van  Rensselaer  of  Green- 
bush,  born  in  1763,  attorney  of  high  rank,  many  years  alderman 
and  member  of  Congress,  1801  to  181 1,  and  member  of  the 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  consistory,  aged  82  years, 
dies,  June  18. 

Penitentiary  building  commenced,  Amos  Pilsbury,  superintendent, 

June. 

Funeral  obsequies  of  General  Jackson  carried  out  by  military  and 

civic  organizations ;  but  interfered  with  by  heavy  rain,  June  30. 


568  JOHN   KEYES   PAIGE.  No.  44. 

1845. 

Independence  Day  celebration,  Isaac  A'anderpoel  the  orator,  and  R. 
S.  Cushman  the  reader.  The  Young  Men's  Association  and 
the  temperance  societies  likewise  carried  out  similar  programs, 

July  4- 

Steamboat  Oregon  built  by  Smith  &  Dimon  of  New  York,  1,050 
tons,  330  feet  long,  35  feet  broad,  10  feet  deep,  72x132  in. 
engine. 

Steamboat  Rip  A'an  Winkle,  Capt.  L.  D.  Abell,  makes  her  first  ap- 
pearance; 220  feet  long,  26  feet  broad,  drawing  3  ft.  10  inches 
of  water,  Lighthall's  horizontal  and  half-beam  engine,  44-in. 
cylinder  wuth  lo-ft.  stroke,  July  16. 

Robert  A  an  Rensselaer's  wafe,  Margaret,  dies,  July  17. 

Obadiah  R.  Van  Benthuysen  associated  himself  with  Robert  Pack- 
ard in  the  printing  business  in  1813,  and  became  a  leader  in  the 
profession,  quick  to  add  improvements  or  to  conceive  them 
himself,  and  was  the  first  in  the  country  to  apply  the  power  of 
a  steam  engine  to  printing,  and  likewise  the  first  to  apply  steam 
in  the  casting  of  types  for  printing ;  associated  himself  with 
Edwin  Croswell  of  the  Argus  from  1824  to  1839  as  managing 
editor,  at  which  time  the  state  printing  was  done  by  them ;  aged 
59,  dies,  Aug.  15. 

Charles  B.  Lansing's  w'ife,  Catherine  Clinton,  dies,  Sept.  8. 

Post-Office  removed  from  basement  of  the  City  Hall  to  the  Centre 
Market  by  order  of  the  Common  Council,  Sept.  8. 

Census  announcement  shows  a  population  of  41,152  persons, 

Sept.  15. 

Steamboat  Oregon  makes  first  appearance  and  is  greatly  admired 
for  the  improvements  over  previous  vessels,  Sept.  21. 

Steamboat  Hendrik  Hudson  of  the  People's  Line  makes  her  first 
appearance;  1,170  tons,  320  feet  long,  35  feet  broad,  9  feet 
deep,  72x132  in.  engine, 

Albany  Gas  Light  Co.  works  completed, 

Angus  McDufiie,  former  sheriff,  aged  54,  dies, 

Ira  Harris  elected  assemblyman. 

Penitentiary  walls,  built  as  high  as  roof,  blown  down, 

Albany  Gas  Light  Co.  makes  a  test  of  street  lighting, 

William  Clark,  his  team  and  cart  sink  out  of  sight  while  drawing 
clay  at  the  Hudson  street  (avenue)  pond  and  all  drown, 

Nov.  13. 

Albany  Gas  Light  Co.  supplies  residents  with  gas  through  four  miles 
of  pipes  as  an  experimental  test,  Nov.  25. 

Dr.  James  H.  Armsby's  wife,  Anna  L.  H.,  daughter  of  Hon.  Gib- 
son Hawley,  aged  25,  dies,  Nov.  30. 


Oct. 

9- 

October. 

Nov. 

2. 

Nov. 

4- 

Nov. 

9- 

Nov. 

10. 

No.  44-                                            JOIIX    KEVES  PAIGE.  569 

1845-1846. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (^Government  record),  Dec.  3, 

Third  Presbyterian  Church  dedicated,  Dec.  3. 
Troy  and  Greenbush  railroad  opened. 

Francis  Dwight,  editor  of  District  School  Journal,  dies,       Dec.  15. 

During  the  year  42  fires,  total  loss  $57,232,  Dec.  31. 


1846. 


Albany  Gas  Light  Co.,  Harmon  Pumpelly  its  first  president,  secures 
136  consumers  and  lights  90  street  lamp-posts,  Jan.  i. 

Common  Council  receives  report  that  there  are  1 1  engine  companies, 
2  hook  and  ladder  companies,  i  hose  and  i  axe  company, 

Jan.   12. 

William  Gould,  head  of  the  firm  of  Gould,  Banks  &  Gould,  law 
booksellers,  who  came  to  Albany  in  1809  from  Caldwell,  N.  J., 
aged  72,  dies,  Jan.  20. 

Stephen  P.  Schuyler,  aged  66,  dies,  Feb.  5. 

Casparus  F.  Pruyn,  aged  54,  dies,  Feb.  11. 

River  open  to  navigation,  steamboat  Columbia  arriving,     Alarch  17. 

Steamboat  St.  Nicholas  put  in  commission,  March. 

Law  drawn  for  the  acquisition  of  greater  water  supply  for  the 
city,  the  cost  having  been  estimated  at  $100,000  to  accomplish 
plans  set  forth  by  Alderman  Haswell,  April  5. 

William  Parmelee  elected  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  election 
held  on  this  day,  he  receiving  3,105  votes  as  the  Whig  candi- 
date, John  Keyes  Paige  receiving  2,513  votes  as  the  Democratic 
candidate,  Chauncey  Pratt  Williams  22  votes,  Edward  Hunter 
5  votes,  blank  and  scattering  40  votes;  total  5,685  votes,  Will- 
iam Parmelee  receiving  a  majority  of  592  votes  over  John  K. 
Paige  and  is  declared  elected  Mayor  of  Albany,  April  14. 

Charter  election.  Mayor,  William  Parmelee ;  Common  Council : 
Richard  Parr,  Patrick  B.  Rooney,  L  Flenry  C.  Whelpley,  John 
W.  Harcourt,  H.  Henry  Greene,  James  H.  Pease,  HL  John 
D.  Hewson,  James  Goold,  IV.  Andrew  White,  Robert  Hew- 
son  Pruyn,  V.  Thomas  McElroy,  John  A.  Livingston,  Yl. 
Charles  Chapman,  John  Van  Ness,  Jr.,  VH.  John  Harrison, 
Elkanah  Hunter,  VHL  Arthur  H.  Root,  Theodore  Watkins. 
IX.  Joshua  I.  Jones,  Edmund  Dorr,  X.  Election,  April 
14;  sworn  in  April  14, 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  45.) 


No.  45. 

WtUtam  farmrb^. 


April  14,  1846  — April  19.  1847. 

April  20,  1847— April   17,  1848. 

*  *  -jfr 

Jan.  lO.  1854-  April  16,  1855 
April  17,  1855  —  MarcK  15,  1856. 


No.  45. 
WILLIAM  PARMELEE. 

Date  of  office:     (a)  April  14,  1846-April  19,  1847. 

(b)  April  20,  1847-April  17,  1848. 

(c)  January  10,  1854-April  10,  1855. 

(d)  April  17,  1855-March  15,  1856.   (death). 
Date  of  election:     (a)  April  14  1846. 

(b)  April  13,  1847. 

(c)  November  8,  1853. 

(d)  April  10,  1855. 
Political  party:     Whig". 

Vote:     (a)   3,105. 

(b)  4,088. 

(c)  3.073- 

Opponent:     (a)   John  Keyes  Paige,  (aa)  C.  P.  Williams,  (aaa)  Ed- 
ward Hunter. 

(b)  James  Goold,   (bb)  Matthew  Hendrickson,  (bbb) 

John  G.  Woodruff. 

(c)  Eli  Perry,  (cc)  Chauncey  P.  Williams,  (ccc)  Wm. 

Eggleston. 
Political  party:     Democrat. 
Vote:     (a)   2,513,  (aa)  22,  (aaa)  5,  blank  and  scattering  40. 

(b)  1,168,  (bb)  606,  (bbb)  78,  blank  and  scattering  39. 

(c)  2,692,  (cc)  1,165,  (ccc)  6,  blank  and  scattering  36. 
Total  vote:     (a)   5,685. 

(b)  5,979- 

(c)  6,972. 

Date  of  birth:     November  28,  1807. 
Place  of  birth:     Lansingburg,  N.  Y. 
Parents:     Elias  (P.)  and  Fanny  Fitch. 
Education:    Yale,  1826. 

Married  to:     (a)    Margaretta  Wright,      (d.  Lansingburg,  Dec.  24. 
1841). 
(b)   Helen  Louisa  Beck. 
Date:     (a)  Washington,  D.  C,  1838. 
(b)   Albany,  November,  1848. 
Children:     (a-i)   Margaretta  Wright  (Homans)  d.  Paris,  1874. 

(b-2)   Harriet  Caldwell   (Nivert,  Paris),  William  Cald- 
well (1853-1856). 
Residence:     Mansion  House. 
Occupation:     Lawyer. 
Religion:     Presbyterian. 
Date  of  death:     March  15,  1856. 
Place  of  death:    Albany. 
Place  of  burial:     Caldwell,  N.  Y. 
Title:    Judge. 

Remarks:     City  Attorney.    County  Judge,  1839;  1847-52.  Recorder, 
1840-46. 


45.     WILLIAM  PARMELEE. 
1846-48;  1854-56. 
From  a  pliotograph  made  at   Paris,   France,  by  M.   H.   Pontes  from  an  oil 
painting  by  Elliott,  owned   in   1904  by  bis   dangbter.  Mme.   Harriet   Caldwell 
Parmelee  Nivert. 


No.  45-  WILLIAM    rAR?^IELEE.  573 

1846. 

(Continued  from  No.  44.) 
1846. 


William  Parmelee  assumes  the  office  of  Mayor  of  Albany,  having 
received  3.105  votes  as  the  Whig-  candidate,  his  opponent,  John 
Keyes  Paige,  receiving  2,513  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate, 
Chauncey  Pratt  Williams  receiving  22  votes,  Edward  Hunter 
receiving  5  votes,  and  40  votes  counted  as  blank  or  scattering; 
total  number  of  votes  cast,  5,685 ;  Parmelee's  majority  over 
Paige  being  592  votes,  April  14. 

Penitentiary's  south  wing  nearly  ready  for  occupancy,  April. 

Ira  Harris  elected  a  member  of  Constitutional  Convention,  April  28. 

Benjamin  Knower,  aged  33,  dies  at  Marseilles,  France,       May  18. 

Albany  portion  of  National  Guard  enrolled  in  Third  Division. 

Constitutional  Convention  assembles,  Jwne   i. 

Peter  Boyd,  whose  father  came  to  this  city  from  Scotland  in  1774, 
a  merchant  of  upright  dealing,  dies,  Jwly  3- 

Telegraph  line  completed  between  Albany  and  New  York,      July  3. 

Weaker  W'hitney,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  87,  dies,       July  17. 

Steamboat  Thomas  Powell  built  by  Lawrence  &  Sneden,  585  tons, 
231  feet  long,  28  feet  broad,  9  feet  deep,  48  x  132  in.  engine. 

Feudal  tenure  abolished  by  Constitutional  Convention,  Ji-i^Y- 

Clinton  Lodge,  No.  7,  L  O.  O.  F.,  re-instituted,  Aug.  26. 

Largest  fire  in  eight  years,  destroying  brewery  and  malt-house  of  R. 
Boyd  &  Co.  and  Mineral  Spring  Garden,  also  dwellings.  Ferry 
and  Arch  streets,  Sept.  8. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad  elects  John  T.  Norton  president  to  suc- 
ceed Isaac  Newton,  who  had  resigned,  Sept.  8. 

Rev.  James  Martin,  a  divine  and  writer,  born  in  this  city  in  1796, 
dies  at  Cannonsburg,  Pa. 

Telegraph  line  completed  between  Albany  and  Buffalo,         Sept.  9. 

Roman  Catholic  diocese  of  Albany  (Bishop  John  McCluskey,  later 
to  be  the  first  American  cardinal)   formed. 

N.  Y.  Encampment  No.  i,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  re-instituted,  Sept.  2}^. 

Constitutional  Convention,  after  a  session  of  131  days,  ends,   Oct.  8. 

Steamboat  Isaac  Newton  makes  her  first  appearance,  built  by  Wm. 
H.  Brown  of  New  York,  1.332  tons,  338  feet  long.  40  feet 
broad,  10  feet  deep.  81  x  144  in.  engine,  Capt.  W.  H.  Peck. 
running  on  the  People's  Line,  Oct.  9. 

Henry  L.  Webb,  a  founder  of  the  Canal  Bank  and  at  this  time  presi- 
dent of  the  Albany  Gas  Light  Co.,  dies  at  Hartford,  Conn., 

Oct.  12. 


574  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  No.  45. 

1846-1847. 

Death  of  Eliza^  widow  of  Samuel  Dexter,  formerly  a  citizen  of 
great  prominence,  aged  84,  Oct.  18. 

One  of  the  city's  large  conflagrations,  consuming  McCoy  &  Clark's 
stove  manufactory  in  ]\Iontgomery  street,  John  Gibson's 
planing-mill,  the  fur  manufactory  of  George  C.  Treadwell  and 
Wm.  H.  DeWitt's  stave  and  lumber  yard,  Oct.  21. 

Cost  of  operating  district  schools  the  past  year  $12,280.89,     Oct.  31. 

Marcus  T.  Reynolds  elected  to  the  Assembly,  and  John  I.  Slinger- 
land  to  the  Congress,  Nov.  3. 

Professor  Joseph  Henry  of  Albany,  where  he  was  born  on  Dec.  17. 
1797,  and  was  instructor  in  the  natural  sciences  at  the  Albany 
Academy  from  Sept.  11,  1826,  until  he  went  to  Princeton  to 
be  a  member  of  the  faculty,  in  November,  1832,  is  invited  to  be- 
come the  first  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  at  Wash- 
ington, now  being  organized  for  the  promotion  of  science  and 
the  diffusion  of  knowledge  under  the  liberal  bequest  of  James 
Smithson,  of  London,  Eng.,  (born  in  England  about  1765)  who 
had  died  at  Genoa  on  June  27,  1829.  The  original  sum  was 
105,000  English  pounds,  and  it  had  increased  by  wise  invest- 
ment to  $703,000,  before  it  was  ready  for  use  as  designated. 
By  the  Act  of  Congress,  approved  Aug.  10,  1846,  it  was 
founded.  He  was  asked  within  thirty  days  to  be  its  directing 
head  and  organizer,  with  the  title  of  Secretary.  He  was  loth 
to  leave  Princeton  University,  where  he  was  at  times  free  to 
conduct  his  researches  in  the  electrical  realm,  and  at  the  time 
wrote :  "  If  I  go,  I  shall  probably  exchange  permanent  fame 
for  transient  reputation,"  meaning  that  fame  signified  a  certain 
gain  for  scientific  knowledge.  (As  a  matter  of  record,  in  one 
year  he  became  so  satisfied  that  he  was  accomplishing  great 
results,  that  he  declined  twice  the  salary  of  the  government, 
ofifered  by  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  to  accept  the  chair 
of  natural  philosophy  there).  He  accepts  the  offer  and  becomes 
the  head  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  its  Secretary,     Dec.  3. 

Common  Council  decides  to  light  the  City  Hall  with  gas,     Dec.  14. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Dec.   14. 


1847. 


John  Young  inaugurated  Governor  of  New  York,  Jan.  i. 
River  open  at  this  date  before  city,  warm  and  springlike,  Jan.  i. 
Common  Council  resolves  to  subscribe  $100,000  so  soon  as  indi- 
viduals take  $150,000  more  of  the  waterworks  stock,  Jan.  11. 


No.  45-  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  575 

1847. 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  appoints  Low  Weatherwax  its  (2ncn  su- 
perintendent. 

Firm  of  E.  Corning  &  Co.  moves  into  its  new  store,  finest  in  the 
city,  No.  467  Broadway,  east  side  north  of  State  street,  Jan.  15. 

Hudson  River  Railroad  Co.  stock  now  being  subscribed,  Feb.  i. 

Odeon,  a  new  theatre  on  Broadway,  opened,  Feb.  i. 

Starving  Ireland  the  subject  of  a  meeting  in  the  Capitol,       Feb.  12. 

Schenectady  &  Albany  road  becomes  Albany  &  Schenectady. 

Three  Roman  Catholic  churches  raise  $5,329  for  Ireland's  aid, 

March  7. 

Funeral  honors  paid  to  the  remains  of  Capt.  Lewis  N.  Morris, 

March  9. 

25th  Regiment,  Col.  Edward  Frisby,  organized  here. 

Dr.  William  Bay  given  a  banquet  on  completion  of  50  years  of 
practice,  by  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck  and  others  at  Congress  Hall, 

March  30. 

Jakey  Jackson,  famed  as  a  cleaner  of  lawyers'  offices,  dies,  April  7. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  April  7. 

Mohawk  river  breaks  up,  causing  a  flood  so  that  storehouses  on  the 
Pier  are  swept  away,  and  an  enormous  quantity  of  grain  lost, 

April  10. 

John  Tweddle's  wife,  Sarah,  aged  51,  dies,  April  12. 

William  Parmelee  re-elected  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  elec- 
tion, receiving  4,088  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate,  his  opponent, 
James  Goold,  receiving  1,168  votes  as  the  Democratic  candi- 
date ;  Matthew  Hendrickson  receiving  606  votes ;  John  G. 
Woodruff  receiving  78  votes ;  blank  and  scattering,  39  votes ; 
total  number  of  votes  cast,  5,979;  Parmelee's  majority  over 
James  Goold  being  2,920,  Parmelee  is  declared  elected  Mayor, 

April  13. 
•         •         • 

William  Parmelee  assumes  the  office  of  !Mayor  of  Albany,  having 
been  re-elected  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  13th,  when 
he  received  4,088  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate,  being  a  majority 
of  2,920  votes  over  James  Goold,  the  Democratic  candidate, 

April  20. 

Charter  election.  Mayor  William  Parmelee ;  Common  Council : 
Richard  Parr,  Samuel  W.  Harned,  I.  George  B.  Riggs,  Wil- 
liam W.  Forsyth,  II.  Henry  B.  Haswell,  George  A.  H.  Engle- 
hart,  III.  Franklin  Townsend,  Daniel  Fry,  IV.  Andrew- 
White,  Robert  Hewson  Pruyn,  V.  John  A.  Livingston.  Charles 
M.  Jenkins,  VI.     Rensselaer  West,  Uri  Burt,  VII.     John  Har- 


576  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  No.  45. 

1847. 

rison,  Patrick  McCall,  VIII.  George  Traver,  William  Cum- 
ming,  IX.  Roswell  Steele,  Daniel  B.  Bassett,  X.  Election, 
April  13 ;  sworn  in,  April  20. 

John  Hoy,  Jr.,  and  E.  D.  Goodrich  of  Boston  establish  a  tin  goods 
business  (continuing  there  in  1905)  at  No.  15  Green  street, 

April  21. 

Second  Presbyterian  Church  (built  at  cost  of  $75,000  in  1816)  reno- 
vated at  an  expense  of  $9,000  in  its  interior,  April  25. 

Mrs.  John  Van  Ness  Yates  dies  in  New  York  city,  April  29. 

Rev.  James  McDonough,  pastor  of  St.  John's,  So.  Ferry  street, 
preaches  farewell  on  departing  for  Brooklyn,  May  9. 

Rev.  Dr.  Schneller,  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  for  12  years,  transferred 
to  a  Brooklyn  parish,  May  10. 

Rev.  Horatio  Potter's  wife,  Mary  Jane,  dies  at  Schenectady, 

June  7. 

Amasa  Junius  Parker  and  Ira  Harris  elected  Justices  of  the  Su- 
preme Court,  June  7. 

Mount  Hermon  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  instituted,  June  18. 

Col.  James  McKown,  a  highly  respected  attorney,  who  had  studied 
law  under  John  V.  Henry  and  had  been  City  Recorder  for 
more  than  15  years,  assemblyman  and  regent,  aged  58,  dies, 

June  26. 

Gerrit  L.  Dox,  who  had  held  responsible  political  positions,  dies  at 
Waterloo,  aged  62,  Aug.  2. 

Steamboat  New  World,  built  by  Wm.  H,  Brown  of  New  York,  1,418 
tons,  385  feet  long,  35  feet  broad,  11  feet  deep,  76x180  in, 
engine,  commences  running. 

John  Erskine  Lovett,  many  years  city  attorney,  later  an  alderman 
and  for  last  14  years  of  his  life  the  Albany  Insurance  Co.'s  sec- 
retary, an  amiable,  refined  and  learned  man,  aged  52,  dies, 

Aug.  19. 

Steamboat  Alida,  built  by  William  H.  Brown  of  New  York,  640 
tons,  265  feet  long,  30  feet  broad,  10  feet  deep,  56  x  144  in. 
engine,  commences  running. 

Board  of  Trade  organized. 

Sixty  teams  with  carts  employed  since  1844  filling  in  and  grading 
the  Hudson  avenue  ravine,  the  Ruttenkill  creek,  between  Lark 
and  Hawk  streets,  about  complete  the  extensive  work,   August. 

Munsell's  "  Annals  of  Albany  "  begin  at  this  date,  10  volumes,  con- 
taining back  from  this  date  "  Notes  from  the  Newspapers,"  as 
a  diary,  to  1771 ;  but  first  20  years  only  a  dozen  items  yearly, 

Sept.  7. 

Albany  Morning  Express,  penny  daily,  James  Stanley  Smith,  editor, 
first  issued  by  Stone  &  Henly,  Sept.  13, 


No.  45.  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  577 

1847. 

Capt.  Abram  Van  O'Linda,  an  officer  of  the  Albany  Republican  Ar- 
tillery, killed  at  Battle  of  Chapultepec,  Mexico,  Sept.  13. 

Rev.  John  McCloskey  instituted  first  Roman  Catholic  bishop  of 
Albany  by  Bishop  Hughes,  Sept.  19. 

Democratic  county  convention  results  in  a  split,  the  Barnburners 
choosing  Peter  Cagger  as  delegate  to  the  state  convention  at 
Syracuse,  and  the  Old  Hunkers  delegating  Henry  Rector, 

Sept.  24. 

Steamboat  Armenia  built  by  Thomas  Collyer,  398  tons,  185  feet 
long,  28  feet  broad.  8  feet  deep,  40  x  168  in.  engine,  put  on. 

Corn  amounting  to  20,000  bushels  arrives  by  canal  this  day, 

Sept.  2,y 

Robert  Hewson  Pruyn  nominated  by  Whigs  for  Assembly,  Sept.  29 

Catherine  Van  Benthuysen,  aged  33.  dies,  Oct.  i 

George  Dexter's  wife,  Mary  Magdaline  Cuyler,  dies,  Oct.  4 

Anti-renters  hold  convention  and  nominate,       '  Oct.   13 

Common  Council  and  citizens  depart  on  the  Hendrick  Hudson  to  be 
present  at  laying  of  corner-stone  of  Washington  monument  on 
the  following  day  in  New  York,  Oct.  18. 

Omnibus  line  started  from  Exchange  building  on  east  side  of  Broad- 
way, above  State  street,  to  Newton's  Corners  on  Shaker  Road, 

Oct.  19. 

V,  M.  A.  membership   numlx'rs  1,300  persons,  Oct.  20. 

First  Presbyterian  Church  foundations  begun,  Philip  street  and 
Hudson  avenue,  J.  R.  Hays  and  Henry  Rector  contracting  for 
$50,000,  Oct.  23 

St.  Joseph's  Church  collection  for  new  Cathedral  $4,500,       Oct.  24 

Common  Council  committee  reports  in  favor  of  removing  the  bodies 
from  Arbor  Hill  Cemetery,  Ten  Broeck  street,  but  no  action 

Oct.  25 

Barnburners'  party  holds  stirring  meeting  in  "  Old  "  Capitol, 

Oct.  29 

Crawford  Livingston,  who  opened  in  this  city  the  first  express  com- 
pany's office  here,  Pomeroy's,  dies  of  consumption,         Nov.  4 

Millerites  disappointed  here  that  the  world  does  not  come  to  an 
end  on  this  date  as  they  had  calculated,  Nov.  9 

Riot  at  a  fire  between  Companies  5  and  6,  breaking  skulls  of  fire- 
men with  hose  nozzles,  caused  by  jealousies,  Nov.  20 

Benjamin  F.  Butler  delivers  opening  annual  lecture  of  Y.  M.  A. 

Nov.  23 

Thanksgiving  Day  observed,  Indian  foot-race  at  Bull's  Head, 

Nov.  25 

Beth  Jacob  synagogue  corner-stone  laid,  Madison  avenue  and  Fulton 
street  bv  Rabbi  Isaac  Wise,  Dec.  i 


5/8  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  No.  45. 

1847-1848. 

First  Presbyterian  Church,  (Phihp  street  and  Hudson  avenue)  cor- 
ner-stone laid,  Dec.  6. 

Fire  chief  first  popularly  elected,  James   McOuade   receiving  240 
votes  and  John  Niblock  208  votes,  Dec.  7. 

Dr.  Charles  D.  Townsend,  eminent  practitioner,  aged  69,  dies, 

Dec.  17. 

First  telegraphic  comnumication  with  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Dec.  23. 

Burgesses'  Corps  escort  remains  of  Mexican  War  veterans  to  Buf- 
falo. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  25. 


1848. 


David  Perkins  Page,  first  principal  of  New  York  State  Normal 
School,  aged  38,  dies,  Jan.  i. 

Legislature  convenes,  now  limited  to  100  days'  session,  Jan.  4. 

Gov.  John  Young's  (second)  annual  message,  12,000  words,  tele- 
graphed to  New  York  in  8  hours,  Jan.  4. 

Thermometer  18  degrees  below  zero,  Jan.  11. 

William  Chapman  elected  president  of  Board  of  Trade,  Feb.  2. 

Major-General  Quitman,  arrived  from  Mexico,  escorted  about  the 
city  by  the  military  bodies  and  enthusiastically  received,  Feb.  7. 

Sheriff,  on  going  to  Berne  to  sell  property  for  rents,  is  followed  by 
forty  men  on  horseback,  who  hoot  and  blow  tin  horns  at  him 
and  his  posse,  insulting  them  in  various  ways,  Feb.  17. 

River  line  survey  for  a  railroad  from  Albany  to  New  York  adopted 
by  the  directors  by  a  vote  of  10  to  2,  Feb.  19. 

Aurora  borealis  so  intense  as  to  lead  to  a  fire  alarm,  Feb.  21. 

Announcement  of  the  death  on  Feb.  23rd  of  ex-President  John 
Quincy  Adams  (born  at  Braintree,  Mass.,  July  11,  1767,  the 
6th  president,  1825-29)  made  in  this  city,  Feb.  24. 

Prof.  Louis  Agassiz  commences  course  of  lectures  at  Female 
Academy  on  natural  history  topics,  Feb.  29. 

St.  Vincent  de  Paul  Society  organized. 

N.  Y.  State  Normal  School  elects  George  R.  Perkins  its  2nd  prin- 
cipal to  succeed  the  late  David  Perkins  Page. 

Albany  Academy  elects  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Campbell,  D.  D.,  its  (3rd) 
principal. 

Ex-Mayor  Ambrose  Spencer,  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  1804 
and  holding  numerous  positions  of  prominence  (born  at  Salis- 
bury, Conn.,  Dec.  13,  1765)  dies  at  Lyons,  N.  Y.,       March  13. 


No.  45.  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  579 

1848,1854. 


Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  Cooper  Building,  corner  of  Green  and  State 
streets,  dedicated,  March  15. 

Funeral  of  ex-J\Iayor  Ambrose  Spencer  at  St.  Peter's  Church,  the 
procession  one  of  the  most  impressive  in  years,  March  18. 

Capt.  John  Cook  escorted  to  the  station  by  his  artillery  company  on 
his  departure  to  join  the  army  in  Mexico,  March  18. 

Penitentiary  chapel  dedicated  by  Rev.  Dr.  Wyckofif,         March  19. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  22. 

Assembly  passes  bill  providing  for  a  bridge  across  the  Basin,  full 
width  of  State  street,  and  street  of  same  width  across  the  Pier, 

March  24. 

Albany  &  Cohoes  railroad  bill  passes  Senate,  March  28. 

Nicholas  Van  Rensselaer,  who  fought  in  the  Revolution  at  storming 
of  Quebec.  Ticonderoga,  Fort  Miller,  Fort  Ann  and  Bemis' 
Heights  when  Burgoyne  surrendered,  deputized  to  convey  the 
news  of  Burgoyne's  surrender  to  Albany,  aged  94,  dies, 

March  29. 

William  Caldwell,  respected  retired  merchant,  succeeding  his  father, 
James  Caldwell,  at  No.  58  State  street,  residing  largely  at  his 
place  at  Caldwell  on  Lake  George,  aged  'jo.,  dies,         April  i. 

Rufus  H.  Peckham's  wife,  Isabella  Adeline  (dau.  of  Rev.  Wm.  B. 
Lacey  of  St.  Peter's  Church)  dies,  April  3. 

Hon.  Wm.  H.  Seward  delivers  eulogy  on  late  President  John 
Ouincy  Adams  in  the  North  Dutch  Church,  April  6. 

John  Taylor  elected  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  election,  re- 
ceiving 3,120  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate,  his  opponent.  Dr. 
Thomas  Hun,  receiving  2,991  votes  as  the  Democratic  candi- 
date ;  blank  and  scattering,  4;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  6,115 ; 
Taylor's  majority  over  Hun  being  129  votes,  John  Taylor  is  de- 
clared elected  Mayor  of  Albany,  April  ii. 
•  •  • 
(See  No.  46.) 


(Continued  from  No.  48.) 
1854. 


William  Parmelee  assumes  the  office  of  IMayor  of  Albany,  having 
been  elected  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  Nov.  8,  1853,  re- 
ceiving 3,073  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate,  his  opponent,  Mayor 
Eli  Perry,  receiving  2,692  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ; 
Chauhcey  Pratt  Williams  receiving  1,165  votes;  William  Eggle- 


580  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  No.  4^. 

1854. 

ston  receiving  6  votes ;  blank  and  scattering,  36  votes ;  total, 
6,972  votes ;  Parmelee's  majority  over  Perry  being  381  votes, 

Jan.  10. 

Charter  election,  Mayor^  William  Parmelee ;  Common  Council : 
John  McEvoy,  Stephen  Harris,  I.  Thomas  B.  Morrow,  Eben- 
ezer  G.  Chesebro,  II.  John  B.  Rossman,  Gerrit  V.  S.  Bleecker, 
III.  John  C.  Feltman,  John  McB.  Davidson,  IV.  Gilbert  L. 
Wilson,  Richard  Van  Rensselaer,  V.  Thomas  AIcElroy,  Henry 
Russell,  VI.  Thomas  Higgins,  George  R.  Vanderlip,  VII. 
William  Jones,  Patrick  M.  McCall,  VIIT.  Richard.  H.  Thomp- 
son, David  H.  Gary,  IX.  Charles  W.  Godard,  Theodore  Town- 
send,  X.     Election,  Nov.  8,  1853  ;  sworn  in,  Jan.  10. 

Albany  Burns  Club  organized,  Jan.  13. 

Hendrick  Insurance  Agency  (continuing  in  1906)   established. 

Ice  moves  from  before  the  city  carrying  two  ferry-boats,  which  col- 
lide and  stave  in  the  sides,  Jan  .13. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Bayard  dies  at  the  Manor  House  of  Stephen  Van 
Rensselaer,  aged  92  years,  Jan.   17. 

Capt.  J.  W.  Harcourt  presented  with  a  sword  costing  $200  by  the 
Cavalry  Corps,  Jan.  20. 

Joseph  Fearey  establishes  a  shoe  manufactory  (the  firm  existing  in 
1906),  and  makes  the  city  famed  for  those  goods. 

River  again  frozen  so  as  to  impede  navigation  of  ferries,       Jan.  23. 

Price  of  commodities  high,  coal  at  $8  a  ton,  flour  at  $10  a  barrel, 
and  potatoes  selling  at  $1.25  a  bushel,  Jan.  25. 

Paul  Cushman's  wife,  Mary  Jane,  dies,  Jan.  27. 

Reuben  H.  Bingham  appointed  city  engineer  and  surveyor,  imme- 
diately inaugurating  the  city's  first  sewerage  system. 

John  Mead's  wife,  Louisa,  aged  69,  dies,  Jan.  31. 

German  element  gathers  in  Capitol  Park  and  burns  an  efiigy  of 
Bedini,  the  pope's  nuncio,  as  at  other  cities,  Feb.   i. 

George  C.  Lee  elected  president  of  the  Young  Men's  Asso'n,  Feb.  3. 

Bill  introduced  before  Legislature  providing  for  a  bridge  across  the 
Hudson,  as  had  been  previously  often  attempted,  Feb.  18. 

Legislature  presented  with  a  petition  by  women  desiring  right  to 
vote,  signed  by  more  than  ten  thousand,  Feb.  20. 

Common  Council  petitions  Legislature  for  right  to  loan  $300,000  to 
the  Northern  Railroad  to  aid  construction,  Feb.  24. 

Hudson  Street  Temperance  House,  south  side  of  Hudson  street 
(avenue)  between  Broadway  and  river,  taken  down,    March  6. 

Ice  moving  from  before  city  causes  dam  at  the  Overslaugh, 

March  11. 


No.  45.  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  581 

1854. 

Ex-Mayor  Friend  Humphrey  dies,  born  at  Simsbury,  Conn.,  Marcli 
8.  1787,  started  at  Lansingburg  in  the  leather  and  tannery  busi- 
ness and  coming  to  this  city  in  1811  continued  it  until  he  had 
amassed  a  considerable  fortune ;  of  such  integrity  and  moral 
strictness  that  he  closed  markets  on  Sunday;  senator,  1839, 

March  15. 

River  open  to  navigation,  the  Hoboken  arriving  from  New  York, 

March  16. 

Henry  Yates,  who  conducted  the  mammoth  State  lotteries,  aged  84, 
dies  at  his  home  on  Westerlo  street,  A'larch  20. 

Dr.  Asa  Fitch,  of  this  city,  made  the  first  entomologist  of  this  (as 
well  as  of  any  other)    State. 

Strong  south  wind  clears  ice  obstructions  at  the  Overslaugh,  where 
the  large  steamboat  Oregon  had  been  held  there  a  week, 

March  31. 

German  opera,  a  title  not  understood  because  of  the  novelty  here, 
introduced  at  the  Green  Street  theatre,  April  3. 

Opponents  of  temperance  reform  call  out  the  governor  and  he  is 
addressed  by  the  editor  of  the  Freie  Blatter,  following  which  a 
serious  riot  ensues,  April  4. 

Pier  submerged  by  the  seventh  freshet  of  this  spring,  April  28. 

Water  so  high  that  canal  weighlock  is  inoperative.  May  i. 

John  Hendrickson,  Jr.,  of  New  Scotland,  who  had  been  sentenced  at 
the  City  Hall  on  April  7th  before  a  vast  concourse,  by  Judge 
Harris,  for  murdering  his  wife  by  poison,  hanged  in  the  Maiden 
Lane  jail,  Alay  5. 

The  six-penny  savings  bank  connected  with  the  Bank  of  the  Capitol, 
first  of  its  kind  in  the  city,  begins  business.  May  8. 

River  improvement  inaugurated  by  Major  Frazier,  carrying  out  the 
work  between  this  city  and  Castleton  under  the  government 
appropriation  of  $50,000,  May  10. 

Joel  Rathbone,  one  of  the  most  respected  of  citizens,  knocked  down 
by  an  unknown  while  walking  up  Elk  street  in  evening,  and 
reward  of  $100  offered  for  arrest  of  assailant,  Alay  15. 

John  C.  Spencer,  an  able  lawyer,  dies.  May  20. 

Common  Council  votes  a  loan  of  $300,000  to  Northern  Railroad, 

May  23. 

Immigrants  numbering  2,000.  in  34  cars,  pass  through  to  West, 

May  24. 

Eclipse  of  the  sun  observed.  May  26. 

One  hundred  arrests  by  police  for  Sunday  liquor  selling,       May  29. 


582  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  No.  45. 


1854. 


Law  enforced  preventing  swine  from  running  loose  in  streets,  re- 
sulting in  the  capture  of  15,000  hogs  before  the  people  believed 
it  was  a  movement  in  earnest  against  the  ancient  custom, 

June  10. 

Joel  Munsell's  wife,  Jane  C,  aged  42,  dies,  June  17. 

Cattle  traffic  by  rail  growing  extensive,  69  cars  bearing  1,380  cattle, 
leave  across  the  river  for  the  metropolis,  June  25. 

Independence  Day  celebration,  including  a  company  of  about  fifty 
veterans  of  the  War  of  1812  under  Gen.  John  S.  Van  Rensse- 
laer, July  4. 

Thermometer  98  degrees  (being  only  2  degrees  below  the  city's 
record  up  to  July  3,  1898).  July  4. 

Lumber  District's  activity  leading  all  other  city  enterprises,  on  this 
day  44  vessels  loading  at  the  dock,  July  8. 

Co.  B,  of  Tenth  Battalion,  known  as  Washington  Continentals, 
organized  as  an  independent  company,  July  4. 

Thermometer  report  at  places  100  degrees  in  shade,  July  21. 

Health  board  reports  29  cases  of  cholera  and  1 1  deaths  in  past  three 
days,  July  25. 

Health  board  reports  60  cases  of  cholera  and  26  deaths  during  the 
past  four  days,  Aug.  2. 

Thomas  B.  Washington,  grandnephew  of  President  George  Wash- 
ington, about  to  return  to  Mrginia,  aged  40,  dies  here  suddenly, 

Aug.  2. 

Health  board  reports  86  cases  of  cholera,  28  of  them  fatalities,  dur- 
ing the  past  three  days,  Aug.  5. 

President  Pierce  vetoes  appropriation  of  $50,000  to  improve  navi- 
gation near  this  city,  Aug.  5. 

Common  Council  decides  to  widen  Patroon  street  (Clinton  ave.) 
from  No.  Pearl  street  to  Broadway,  Aug.  7. 

Albany  City  Hospital  first  opened  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Eagle 
and  Howard  streets,  the  old  jail  being  fitted  to  suit  the  pur- 
poses, which  institution  since  its  start  in  1851  had  treated  417 
cases.  Aug.  8. 

Former  Albany  Hospital  on  Lydius  street  (Madison  ave.)  opened 
as  a  cholera  hospital.  Aug.  10. 

Evert  Van  Allen,  surveyor  for  city,  whose  ancient  maps  proved  of 
good  service  in  settling  lot  boundaries,  dies,  Aug.  14. 

Edwin  Croswell,  editor  of  The  Argus  since  about  1824,  retires,  hav- 
ing had  a  stroke  of  paralysis  on  Jan.  5th  in  New  York, 

Aug.   18. 

Ex-Mayor  John  Townsend  dies.  He  was  born  June  14,  1783,  at 
Sterling,  Orange  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  came  to  this  city  in  1802  as 


No.  45.  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  583 

1854. 

clerk  to  his  brother,  Isaiah,  in  the  old  iron  foundry;  with 
William  James  of  this  city  was  the  first  to  manufacture  salt  at 
Syracuse  by  the  solar  evaporation  process ;  was  the  37th  Mayor 
and  elected  for  three -terms,  during  one  of  which  (1832)  he 
was  most  energetic  in  holding  the  cholera  plague  in  check; 
married  daughter  of  Mayor  Ambrose  Spencer ;  at  time  of  death 
was  president  of  Commercial  Bank,  Water  Commissioners, 
Albany  Exchange  Co.,  Albany  Savings  Bank,  Albany  Pier  Co., 
Syracuse  Coarse  Salt  Co.,  Albany  Insurance  Co.,  and  Water- 
vliet  Turnpike  Co.,  and  is  greatly  mourned  by  citizens,  Aug.  26. 

Rev.  Wm.  B.  Lacey,  former  rector  of  St.  Peter's,  after  absence  of 
22  years,  returns  from  Jackson,   Miss.,  preaching  twice, 

Aug.  27. 

Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  B.  Sprague  preaches  on  25th  anniversary  of  his 
coming  to  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  the  only  pastor  of 
that  time  now  in  the  city,  Aug.  27. 

Ex-Mayor  John  Tovvnsend's  funeral,  stores  closing  meanwhile, 

Aug.  28. 

Wm.  A.  Tweed  Dale,  the  only  principal  (and  for  long  period)  of 
the  Lancaster  school  on  west  side  of  Eagle  st.,  aged  79,  dies, 

Aug.  28. 

Commercial  Bank  elects  John  Lawrence  Schoolcraft  its  ('3rd)  presi- 
dent, because  of  death  of  ex-Mayor  John  Townsend,     Aug.  31. 

Gerrit  Yates  Lansing  elected  president  of  Albany  Savings  Bank, 
vice  John  Townsend,  deceased. 

Painting  for  the  Capitol  at  Washington  by  Powell,  representing 
DeSoto's  discovery  of  the  Mississippi,  exhibited  here,     Sept.  7. 

Samuel  Stevens,  eminent  lawyer,  aged  56,  dies  at  Rochester, 

•  Sept.    II. 

Office  of  Albany  Northern  railroad  changed  from  Steuben  and 
Water  sts.  to  Maiden  Lane  and  Dean  street,  Sept.  18. 

Juliet  Lewis,  last  of  descendants  of  Robert  Lewis  who  started 
Lewis'  Tavern  corner  of  Pearl  and  State  streets,  aged  75,  dies, 

Sept.  20. 

Common  Council  elects  C.  W.  Bender  city  chamberlain,       Sept.  29. 

Rev.  Dr.  Horatio  Potter,  rector  of  St.  Peter's,  elected  provisional 
bishop  of  New  York  diocese,  Sept.  29. 

Burgesses'  Corps  banquet  in  the  Capitol  in  celebration  of  21st  anni- 
versary, and  present  a  cane  to  the  first  captain,  John  O.  Cole, 

Oct.  9. 

Congregational  Church  uses  new  bell,  2,020  lbs.  to  replace  the  one 
cracked  the  preceding  Sunday,  Oct.  18. 

Widow  of  Isaiah  Townsend,  Hannah,  aged  71,  dies  at  West  Point. 

Oct.  31. 


584  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  No.  45. 

1854-1855. 

Hon.  Alexander  Hamilton's  widow,  Elizabeth  Schuyler  (dau.  of 
Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  born  at  Schuyler  Mansion  in  south  part 
of  city,  on  Aug.  7,  1757,  married  Alexander  Hamilton  in  same 
house  in  1780,  he  being-  one  of  Gen.  Geo.  Washington's  aids 
and  later  the  first  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  shot  by  Aaron 
Burr  in  duel  at  Weehawken,  July  11,  and  died  July  12,  1804, 
at  New  York  city)  dies  at  Washington  of  old  age,  her  life 
having  been  spent  largely  in  New  York  after  her  illustrious 
husband's  death,  and  where  she  founded  the  New  York  Orphan 
Asylum ;  but  had  another  home  at  the  National  capital  in  which 
she  was  wont  to  receive  notable  guests  and  wherein  she  peace- 
fully dies,  Nov.  7. 

Rev.  Dr.  Horatio  Potter  of  St.  Peter's  Church  instituted  bishop  of 
the  New  York  diocese  with  imposing  ceremonial,         Nov.  22. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Dec.  8. 

Schuyler  Mansion  experiences  slight  fire,  Dec.  9. 

Old  State  Hall  (Capitol)  at  southwest  corner  State  and  Lodge 
streets,  work  of  taking  down  begun,  Dec.   18. 


1855. 


Myron   H.   Clark  inaugurated  Governor  of  New   York,       Jan.    i. 

Bank  of  Albany  declares  extraordinary  50%  dividend  in  the  form 
of  stock  raised   from  $240,000  to  $360,000,  Jan.    i. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  for  this  year :  Mayor,  William  Parme- 
lee  ;  Common  Council :  John  McEvoy,  Cornelius  McCloskey,  I. 
Thomas  B.  Morrow,  George  B.  Johnson,  H.  John  B.  Rossman, 
Gerrit  V.  S.  Bleecker,  HI.  John  C.  Feltman,  Erastus  H.  Pease, 
IV.  Gilbert  L.  Wilson,  Richard  Van  Rensselaer,  V.  Thomas 
McElroy,  Henry  Russell,  VI.  Thomas  Higgins,  John  Benson, 
VII.  William  Jones,  Hiram  Gilbert,  VIII.  Richard  H.  Thomp- 
son, Henry  J.  Wells,  IX.  Charles  W.  Godard,  Andrew  M. 
Bullock,  X.     In  office  on,  Jan.   i. 

Legislature  convenes,  Jan.  2. 

Sixty-nine  sheep  crossing  river  on  ice  to  trains,  drowned,     Jan.  6. 

Rev.  Ezra  A.   Huntington's  farewell  sermon  at  3rd  Presbyterian, 

Jan.  7. 

Theodore  V.  Van  Heusen's  wife,  Catherine  C,  aged  32,  dies, 

Jan.  o. 

Widow  of  Mayor  Philip  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  Anne  DePeyster  Van 
Cortlandt,   (married  in  1787)  the  youngest  daughter  of  Pierre 


Ko.  45-  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  585 

1855. 

A'an  Cortlandt,  first  and  for  i8  years  lieutcnaiu-governor  of 
Xcw  York,  who  was  horn  at  the  V^an  Cortland  Manor  House 
at  Croton,  N.  Y.,  in  1766,  dies  at  the  home  where  she  and  her 
luisband  had  entertained  with  splendor  while  he  was  ]Mayor 
for  19  years,  northeast  corner  of  State  and  Chapel  streets, 

Jan.    10. 
Sleighload  of  persons  in  crossing  on  the  ice  to  the  train  across  the 
•  river,  break  through  and  escape,  but  horses  drown,       Jan.  19. 
Herman  Knickerbocker,  lawyer,  who  studied  under  John  V.  Henry, 
(born  July  27,  1779,  grandson  of  Col.  Knickerbocker  who  se- 
cured the   land  at  Schaghticoke   from  the  city,  when   a  tract 
[site  of  village]   six  miles  square  was  sold  for  $1,000)   dies  at 
the  homestead,  Jan.   30. 

Legislature  elects  Wm.  H.  Seward  U.  S.  Senator  for  6  years,  and 
300  guns  fired  in  celebration,  Feb.  6, 

Thermometer  20  degrees  below  zero    (unofficial),  Feb.   7. 

Gas  Light  Co.  to  reduce  from  4  to  3  cents  per  foot,  Feb.  7. 

Ralph  P.  Lathrop  elected  president  of  the  Young  Men's  Ass'n, 

Feb.  8. 

Capt.    Amos    Pilsbury,    superintendent    of    Penitentiary,    presented 

with  gold-headed  cane  on  50th  birthdav  bv  his  manv  friends, 

Feb.  8. 

Washington's   Birthday   celebrated   by   parade   of   Colonel   Frisby's 

25th   Regiment,   and   oration   by    Samuel   G.    Courtney   in   the 

Capitol,  Feb.   22. 

Gen.   Sam   Houston  lectures   before  Y.   M.  A.  on  "  Indian   Race," 

Feb.  26. 
Murderer  Phelps  escapes  in  early  morning,  caught  on  tow-path, 

March  S. 
River  open,  steamboat  Oregon  coming  up  during  night,  March  19. 
Governor  Clark  commutes  sentence  of  Phelps  (murder)  to  life, 

March  27. 
Lewis  Clark,  who  died  on  27th.  senior  partner  of  Clark  &  Blake, 
an  officer  of  the  War  of  1812,  buried  with  military  honors, 

March   29. 
St.  Joseph's  Church  robbed  of  sacramental  vessels,  worth  $300, 

April    I. 
Teunis  Van  Vechten's  farmhouse  on  plank  road  beyond  alms-house, 
destroyed  by  fire,  April   i. 

Cross  on  St.  ]\Iary's  Church  carried  away  by  the  windstorm, 

April    I. 

Delavan   House,   n.    c.   corner    Broadway   and    Steuben,   brilliantly 

illuminated   because    of   passage   of   the   temperance   bill,    Mr. 


586                                                    WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  No.  45. 

1855. 

Delavan  being  one  of  the  staunchest  advocates  of  temperance, 
much  to  the   disgust  or  displeasure   of  those   stopping  at  his 

famous  hostelry,  April    lo. 

William  Parmelee  re-elected  Mayor  of  Albany,  April  lo. 

Cohoes  incorporated,  as  village  of  Watervliet,  April  12. 

Legislature   adjourns  after   session   of    103   days,  April    14. 


William  Parmelee  resumes  official  duties  of  Mayor  of  Albany, 
having  on  April  loth  been  re-elected,  April  17. 

Albany  Dime  Savings  Bank,  John  Winne,  president,  organized, 

April   17. 

Occulation  of  Venus  observed  at  8:38  p.  m.,  April  18. 

Dyer  Lathrop  (b.  Norwich,  Conn.,)  who  came  to  this  city  in  1811, 
an  industrious,  upright  merchant,  alderman,  supervisor,  treas- 
urer from  start  of  Albany  Orphan  Asylum  and  when  that  insti- 
tution was  in  need  used  his  own  money  for  its  relief,  aged  67, 
dies,  April  ig. 

Albany  Museum,  n.  w.  corner  Broadway  and  State  St.,  conducted 
many  years  by  Henry  Trowbridge,  closed,  the  curiosities  trans- 
ported to  form  a  floating  museum  on  the  Mississippi,  and  tlie 
building  converted   into   offices,  April   28. 

Total  eclipse  of  moon  beginning  at  9:20  p.  m..  May  i. 

Green  Street  Theatre  opened  by  recent  manager  of  Museum, 
Charles   T.    Smith,  May  2. 

Rev.   Samuel  T.   Seelye   installed  at   Fourth   Presbyterian   Church, 

May  3- 

Rev.    Ebenezer   Halley   commences   pastorate   of   3rd   Presbyterian, 

May  6. 

Sturgeon  10^4  feet  long,  350  lbs.,  shown  at  Centre  Market,  May  8. 

Policeman  on  patroling  bounds  of  city,  Lydius  (Madison  ave.)  and 
Hawk  streets,  attacked  by  wild  animal,  proving  a  mink, 

.    May  8. 

John  D.  Chisiu's  wife,  Hannah  AL,  aged  34,  dies.  May  10. 

Common  Council  passes  law  prohibiting  martial  music  on  Sunday, 
providing  a  penalty  of  $10,  May   14. 

Ezekiah  C.  Mcintosh,  who  placed  the  Albany  &  Schenectady  road 
on  a  good  financial  basis  when  embarrassed,  as  its  president, 
dies,  May  23. 

William  Mayell,  who  came  here  from  London  in  June,  1795,  and 
conducted  a  prominent  hat  manufactory  on  east  side  of  Broad- 
way below  State  St.,  an  active  member  of  Mechanics'  Society, 
aged  83,  dies,  May  28. 

Dr.  H.  D.  Paine's  wife,  Eliza  Hale,  dies.  May  31. 


No.  4S.  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  587 

1855. 

State  Hall  or  Capitol,  from  1797  for  about  35  years,  at  s.  w.  corner 
State  and  Lodge  streets,  removed  for  new  building  site, 

June  6 
Azor  Tabor,  very  able  lawyer,  dies,  June  10 

Rev.  Duncan  Kennedy  preacbes  farewell  at  No.  Dutcb  Cburcb, 

June  24 
Residence  of  Chancellor  John  \^an  Ness  Yates,  No.  106  State  street 
being  torn  down  by  workmen.  J^"ie  26 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Halley  installed  at  3rd  Presbyterian  Church. 

June  2"] 
Thermometer  99  degrees,  within  one  degree  of  century  record. 

June  30 
Luke   F.   Newland,  a   man  of  fine   literary  and   social  attainments 
that  had  endeared  him  widelv  in  the  citv,  aged  63,  dies, 

July   18 
Last  building   (dwellings)   on  east  side  of  ^lontgomery  street,  de- 
molished to  allow  laying  Central  Road's  tracks.  July  21 
North  River  steamboat  Commerce  sinks  off  Llarlem  Flats, 

July  24 

Reservoir  on  Lydius   (  ]\Iadison  ave. )   street,  above  Eagle,  supplied 

by  a  spring,   caves   in,   much  earth  disappearing,         July  28 

Athenaeum   Building,   west  side   of  Broadway  above   State   street, 

being  demolished  to  form  site  for  Exchange  Bank  and  Bank 

of  the  Union,  July  30. 

July   30. 

Basements   of  houses   throughout  the   city   inundated  and   causing 

people  to  mount  chairs  on  the  hill  streets,  caused  by  downpour, 

Aug.  23. 

David    Pruyn's   widow,    Hebertie    Lansing,    a   woman   of    superior 

benevolence  and  piety,  aged  83,  dies,  Sept.  2. 

Steamboat  New  World,  one  of  the  largest  afloat,  made  by   Isaac 

Newton,  a  native  of  this  city,  rebuilt  with  the  first  gallery  tiers 

of  rooms,  makes  first  appearance  at  Albany,  Sept.  6. 

A  hundred  persons  watching  a  canal-boat  afire  from  the  State  street 

bridge  to  Pier  precipitated  into  water  by  falling  of  the  side, 

Sept.  2-^. 
]\Irs.  Catherine  Schuyler  dies,  aged  92.  at  Watervliet,       Sept.  28. 
Samuel  Wilkeson  becomes  editor  of  Evening  Journal  in  place  of 
Thurlow  Weed,  retiring.  Oct.   i. 

First  diocesan  synod  of  the  Roman  Catholic  See  at  Albany,  Oct.  7, 
Sacred   Heart  convent   removed   from   So.   Pearl  to  the   Hillhouse 
property  on  the  Troy  Road,  some  miles  above  city. 


588  WILLIAM    PARMELEE.  Xo.  45. 

1855-1856. 


Seth  Crapo,  merchant  of  great  probity,  aged  54,  dies,       Oct.  24. 

National  Express  Co.,  formed  from  several  Albany  concerns. 

Steamboat  Diamond's  hull,  being  used  as  coal  barge,  run  into  and 
sunk  at  toot  of  Hamilton  street,  with  200  tons  of  coal, 

Oct.  31. 

All  the  candidates  of  the  Know  Nothings  win  at  election,     Nov.  7. 

Stephen  Clark  elected  wState  Treasurer,  Nov.  7. 

Dr.  Theodric  Romeyn  Beck.  (b.  Schenectady,  Aug.  11,  1791)  who 
received  the  degree  of  Doctor  Aledicine  in  181 1  and  was  prin- 
cipal of  the  Albany  Academy  from  18 17  to  1848,  made  president 
of  its  board  of  trustees  in  1852.  (his  daughter.  Helen,  married 
Mayor  Parmelee)  dies  after  a  long  illness  which  he  bore 
bravely.  Nov.  19. 

Rev.  Thos.  Clapp  Pitkin,  New  Haven,  chosen  rector  of  St.  Peter's, 

Dec.  2. 

Jos.  Alexander,  former  president  Commercial  Bank,  liberal,  91,  dies, 

Dec.  17. 

Louis  D.  Pilsbury  made  superintendent  of  the  Penitentiary  to  suc- 
ceed his  father  who  had  resigned.  Dec.  20. 

River  closed  to  navigation  for  season   (Government  record). 

Dec.   20. 


1856. 


Legislature  convenes,  Jan.   i. 

Thermometer  10  degrees  below  zero,  and  a  lunatic  escaped  from 

alms-house  frozen  to  death  in  nearby  graveyard,  Jan.  10. 

Albany  City  Tract  &  Missionary  Society  incorporated,  January. 
Gerrit  V.  S.  Bleecker,  alderman  16  years,  aged  65,  dies,  Jan.  12. 
German  Lutheran  Church  on  State  street  dedicated.  Jan.  13. 

Washington  Continentals  go  to  Nevvburgh  to  parade  at  funeral  of 

Usual  Knapp,  last  of  Washington's  Life  Guards,  Jan.  16. 

Tennis  Van  Vechten  commissioned  captain  of  Co.  B,  Jan.  28. 

Four  thousand  citizens  sign  remonstrance  against  a  bridge,  Feb.  2. 
Rev.   Thos.   C.   Pitkin   formally  installed   at   St.   Peter's  by  Bishop 

Potter,  Feb.  3. 

Richard  !Merrifield  elected  president  of  the  Young  [Men's  Ass'n, 

Feb.  7. 
Albany  Daily  Argus  and  Albany  Evening  Atlas  combined  as  Atlas 

and  Argus,  by  Comstock  &  Cassidy,  Feb.  18. 


i 


Xo.  45-  WILLI. \.M    I'AK.MKLEL.  589 


1856. 


Capt.  George  3tIonteath.  born  at  Duniblane,  Scotland,  in  1778  and 
who  came  to  this  city  when  seven  years  old,  where  he  engaged 
in  sloop  traffic  and  later  adopted  steam  on  his  "  Albany  and 
Canal  Line  "  of  boats,  thereby  acquiring  a  fortune,  dies, 

March   10. 

Ma}or  ^\'illiam  Parnielee,  who  was  born  at  Lansingburg,  N.  Y.,  on 
.  Nov.  28,  1807,  the  son  of  Elias  Parnielee  and  Fanny  Fitch,  and 
married  Flelen,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck,  principal 
of  Albany  Academy ;  a  lawyer  by  profession,  serving  as  City 
Attorney,  County  Judge  and  Recorder,  dies  of  a  cancerous 
aifection  of  the  throat,  Alarch   15. 


(Sec  Xo.  40.) 


No.  4-6. 

Jfllju  ©ayUir. 

April  18,  1848  — April  16.  1849. 


No.  46. 

JOHN  TAYLOR. 

Date  of  office:     April  18,  1848-April  16,  1849. 
Date  of  eleetioii:     April  11,  1848. 
Political  party:     Whig. 
Vote:     3,120. 
Opponent:     Thomas  Hun. 
Political  party:     Democrat. 
Vote:     2,  991,  blank  and  scattering  4. 
Total  vote:     6,115. 
Date  of  birth:     ]\Iarch  13,   1790. 
Place  of  birth:     Chester,  England. 
Parents:     John  (T.)  and  Phoebe  P.urnop. 
Education:     Common  school. 
Married  to:     (a)    Mary  Richmond, 
(b)    Esther  E.  Wiltse. 
Date:     (a)    May  13,  1819. 
(b)    May  15,  1844. 
Children:      (a-5)   Joseph  Lkirnop.  Anna  Gascoigne  (Gilbert),  John 
Richmond,  Edmund  J?>riggs,  William  Henry, 
(b-i)   Elizabeth  Ellison. 
Residence:     No.  /T,  Eydius  street  (Madison  avenue). 
Occupation:     Brewer. 
Religion:     Episcopalian. 
Date  of  death:     September  13,  1863. 
Place  of  death:     No.  257  State  street. 
Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 
Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:     Noted  for  his  charit\',  integrity,  industry,  and  possessed 
finest  private  library. 


46.     JOHN  TAYLOR. 
1848- 1849. 
From  a  pliotograph  made  from  life  by  McDoniiald  &  Stcrry,  and  owned  in 
1904  l)y  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  E.  Tavlor. 


N0.46.  JOHN    TAYLOR.  593 


1848. 


(Continued  from   Xo.  45. j 
1848. 


John  Taylor  is  sworn  in  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  having  been 
elected  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  nth,  when  he 
received  3,120  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate,  his  opponent, 
Thomas  Hun,  receiving-  2,991  votes  as  the  Democratic  candi- 
date; blank  and  scattering,  4  votes;  total,  6,115  votes;  Taylor's 
majority  over  Hun  being  129  votes,  April  18. 

L.  D.  Holstein  elected  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen ;  Hooper  C. 
A' an  Vorst,  City  Attorney ;  Geo.  W.  Carpenter,  Surveyor ; 
Nelson  W.  Scovel,  Marshal ;  John  ]\IcBride,  Overseer  of  Poor ; 
Henry  B.  Fay,  Aims-House  Physician,  April   18. 

Charter  election,  ]\Iayor,  John  Taylor;  Common  Council:  William 
L.  Osborn,  Lucien  B.  Laney,  L  George  B.  Riggs,  John  W. 
Harcourt,  H.  Charles  W.  Godard,  Stephen  T.  Thorn,  HI. 
George  T.  Ladue,  Abram  Koonz,  IV.  Henry  B.  Bleecker, 
James  McNaughton,  V.  John  A.  Livingston,  Charles  M.  Jen- 
kins, VL  John  Benson,  William  Gillespie,  \TI.  Patrick  M. 
McCall,  John  Harrison,  VHL  William  Gumming,  Richard  H. 
Thompson,  IX.  Michael  Artcher,  Daniel  E.  Bassett,  X.  Elec- 
tion, April  II;  sworn  in,  April  18. 

Steamboat  Armenia  makes  first  appearance,  leaving  X'ew'  York  at 
7  a.  m.  and  arriving  at  4  o'clock,  making  usual  landings, 

April  22. 

Two  large  fires,  one  bounded  by  Church,  Westerlo,  Dallius  and 
John  streets,  destroying  20  buildings,  loss  $30,000;  other  start- 
ing at  Green  and  Beaver,  destroying  20  buildings,  loss  $60,000, 

April  24. 

Beth   Jacob.  Jewish  synagogue,  Fulton  st.,  consecrated,     April  28. 

Harmanus  P.   Schuyler's  widow,  Sarah,  dies,  April  30. 

Common  Council  offers  reward  of  $100  for  discovery  of  anyone 
setting  any  building  in  the  city  afire,  May  i. 

Steamboats  Alida  and  Hendrik  Hudson  race  from  New  York  to 
Albany,  both  leaving  at  7  a.  m.,  the  former  arriving  at  2:55 
p.  m.,  and  the  latter  at  3:10  p.  m.,  never  more  than  a  mile 
apart.  May  5. 

Steam  propeller  named  Albany,  built  in  Philadelphia,  passengers 
and  freight,  140  feet  long,  240  tons,  arrives  from   Hartford, 

May  8. 

Severe  frost,  injuring  buds,  May  14. 


594  JOHx  TAvr.oK.  No.  46. 

1848. 

Hoard  of  Trade  starts  operations  in  Rotunda  of  the  Exchange, 

May   15. 

Joy  &  Alonteath's  office  on  tlie  dock  robbed  of  $800  in  counterfeit 
money  that  had  accumulated  in  business,  May  20. 

Matthew   Gregory,    Revohitionary  officer,   merchant,   age  91,   dies, 

June  4. 

Application  made  to  Albany  County  Court  for  incorporation  of 
Cohoes  village,  (under  Act  of  1S47)  area,  134  sq.  miles;  pop- 
ulation. 4.200,  Ji-uie  5. 

Boys  fight  with  cobbles  at  a  fire  on  Arbor  Hill  for  honor  of  drawing 
the  hose-cart,  Jwne  C. 

Edward  C.  Delavan's  wife,  Abby  M.,  aged  47,  dies,  Jtme  17. 

Datus  E.  Frost's  provision  store,  Eydius  street  (Madison  ave.)  and 
Swan  street  afire  and  firemen  fail  to  attend,  engaging  in  a 
pitched  battle  because  of  rivalry,  at  State  and  Pearl  streets, 
during  which  all  the  windows  of  the  neighborhood  are  broken 
by  missiles,  June  22. 

Bishop  Hughes  lays  the  corner-stone  of  the  Cathedral  of  the  Im- 
maculate Conception,  July  2. 

Capt.  Abraham  A^an  O'Linda's  remains  arrive  from  ]\lexico  and  are 
given  military  escort  to  the  City  Hall.  July  4. 

Capt.  A.  Van  O'Linda  buried,  eulogy  by  Col.  John  .Sharts, 

July  7. 

Workman    killed   working  on    foundation   of   new    Cathedral. 

J'-^iy  7- 

Canal  Bank  closed  by  Comptroller,  investigation  ordered,       Jnly  11. 

Hon.  Erastus  Corning  presides  at  the  "  Old  "  Capitol  at  an  enthusi- 
astic meeting  of  the  Friends  of  Ireland.  July  13. 

Workmen  numbering;  300  engaged  in  erecting  a  new  depot,  750  x  133 
feet,  to  accommodate  the  Boston  trade,  July  17. 

Rev.   Benj.   X.   ^lartin   installed  at  4th   Presbyterian   Church. 

July   19. 

Ex-Mayor  Barent  P.  Staats  presides  at  a  meeting  of  the  Barn- 
burners in  the  Capitol  to  aid  nomination  of  Martin  Van  Buren 
for  President,  ]\\\y  19. 

Co.  H.  1st  Reg't  N.  Y.  Volunteers  under  Capt.  John  G.  Farnsworth, 
who  succeeded  the  late  Capt.  Abraham  \"an  O'Linda.  killed, 
arrive  on  the  Hendrik  Hudson  on  return  from  war  in  ]Mexico, 
only  45  of  the  70  privates  surviving,  and  are  escorted  by  a 
dozen  military  bodies  in  a  parade  in  which  they  are  loudly 
cheered,  July  25. 

District  school  children  numbering  2,000  hold  anniversary  exercises 
in  Capitol  park  and  ])roceed  to  Kane's  Walk,  So.  Pearl  ami 
Westerlo  sts.   for  an  cniovable  time,  Julv  28. 


IMMACULATE  CONCEPTION  CATHEDRAL. 

Organized  in   1847;   corner-stone  laid  July  2,   1848;  Patrick 
C.  Keeh',  architect;  dedicated  November  21,  1852. 


No.  46.  JOHN    TAYLOR.  595 

1848. 

Middle  Dutch  Church  (Secoud)  operates  its  new  org"au,  costiu'^' 
$4,000,  and  largest  in  the  city,  July  3 1 . 

Mayor  John  Taylor  presides  at  a  meeting  of  the  Friends  of  Ireland 
held  in  the  "Old"  Capitol,  to  advocate  freedom,         July  31. 

Dr.  Jonathan  Eights,  a  foremost  physician  of  his  day  and  who 
had  practiced  with  eminent  success  for  half  a  century,  dies  at 
his  residence  corner  of  No.  Pearl  and  Columbia  streets,  aged 
75,  Aug.  10. 

Dr.  ]\Iorrell  ascends  in  a  balloon  from  Mineral  Spring  Garden  on 
So.  Ferry  street  and  sails  northward,  Aug.   15. 

Thomas  Maher,  8  years  old,  drowned  in  the  Foxen  kill  pond  at  the 
head  of  Canal  street,  being  the  sixth  similar  fatalit}^  there  in 
past  two  years,  Aug.   15. 

"  The  (ireat  Fire  "'  started  by  a  washerwoman's  bonnet  at  the  Albion 
Hotel,  corner  of  Broadway  and  Herkimer  street,  the  flames 
spreading  to  the  north  by  a  strong  south  wind,  sweeping  both 
sides  of  Broadway  and  Church  street,  and  crossing  the  water 
to  the  Pier,  devastating  everything  to  Maiden  Lane  and  along 
Broadway  to  Hudson  avenue  ;  but  at  night  lessened  by  hea\-^' 
rainfall ;  600  buildings  burned,  including  the  Eagle  Tavern  on 
Broadway;  loss  $3,000,000;  burnt  area  37  acres;  greatest  width 
being  700  feet  west  from  the  river  on  Herkimer  st.,  and  greatest 
length  on  one  street  being  1,600  feet  along  Ouav  st.,     Aug.  17. 

Jealous  fire  companies  engage  in  riot  at  So.  Pearl  and  State  streets, 
and  many  of  the  firemen  are  seriously  injured,  Aug.   ig. 

Common  Council  ordains  that  no  wooden  building  or  one  covered 
with  wood  be  erected  east  of  Lark  street,  and  that  cornices 
must  be  of  metal  or  incombustible  material,  Aug.  21. 

James  Hanley  who  was  shot  on  the  19th  at  tlie  riot  among  jealou^ 
fire  companies  at  State  and  Pearl  streets,  dies,  Aug.  26. 

Common  Council  determines  to  improve  the  grade  of  streets  in  the 
recently  burned  area,  especially  raising  the  level  of  Broadway 
between  Hamilton  street  and  Lydius  street  (^Madison  ave.) 
Avhich  was  under  water  each  spring,  Aug.  28. 

Schuyler  Steamboat  Tow-line  started. 

Col.  Robert  E.  Temple  returns  from  the  Alexican  war,         .Sejit.    r. 

Rev.  Elias  Vanderlip,  patriach  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  this  city,  dies.  Born  at  Carl's  Neck,  Staten  Is.,  Feb.  10, 
T765,  he  came  to  Albany  fatherless  in  1796,  and  opened  a 
shoe  shop;  ordained  deacon  in  1800  and  elder  in  1804.  preach- 
ing here  1805  to  1836,  when  he  rested  from  his  labors  because 
of  his  age,-  Sept.  3. 

Mulford-&  Wendell's  jewelry  store,  vSamuel  Stevens'  law  library  and 
Gavit's   daguerreotype   studio  burned;   loss  $12,000,      Sept.   9. 


596  JOHN    TAYLOR.  No.  46. 

1848. 

New  steam  ferry,  T.  W.  Olcott,  put  on  for  the  Boston  road, 

Sept.  12. 
Gen.  John  A.  Dix  nominated  at  Utica  for  governor  by  the  Barn- 
stormer or  Free  Soil  party,  Sept.  13. 
Common   Council   determines  to  extend  the   steamboat   landing  to 

Lydius  street  (Madison  ave.),  Sept.  18. 

City  officers   and   Common   Council   call   in  a   body  upon   General 

Worth,  who  is  staying  at  Congress  Hall,  Sept.  19. 

New  York  city  remits  $12,035  to  sufiferers  from  the  great  fire  that 

devastated  the  southeastern  part  of  the  city  on  the  lyth  of  last 

month,  Sept.  19. 

The  new  rails  of  the  Mohawk  &  Hudson  railroad  being  completed 

and  the  coaches  fitted  with  india-rubber  springs,  the  trip  from 

Schenectady  made   in  24  minutes,   a   record  for  42  miles  per 

hour,  Sept.  22. 

Rufus  W.  Peckham  address  the  Old  Hunkers  at  a  ratification  of 

Democratic  nominations  in  the  "  Old  "  Capitol,  Sept.  26. 

Anti-renters  endorse  nomination  of   John  A.  Dix  for  governor, 

Sept.  28. 
Common  Council  committee  reports  in  favor  of  paying  firemen  $30 

per  annum,  and  a  fire  chief,  to  devote  his  entire  time  to  fire.^, 

$700  a  year  as  salary,  Oct.  2. 

Nicholas  Van  Schaack's  widow,  Jane,  dies,  Oct.  4. 

Rev.  F.  \V.  Ingmire  installed  at  Pearl  street  Baptist  church,  Oct.  8. 
Steam  propeller  Hartford,  to  run  in  conjunction  with  the  propeller 

Albany  to  Hartford,  passengers  and  freight,  first  arrives, 

Oct.  14. 
Geo.   C.  Treadwell's   fur  shop   and   Clement  Warren's  saw-mill  in 

Water  street  burn  with  a  loss  of  $10,000,  Oct.  15. 

Rev.  John  Bassett's  widow,  Ann    (he  was  pastor  of  Ref'd  Dutch 

Church)  at  Penn  Yan,  Pa.,  aged  86,  Oct.  17. 

Under  the  new  regime  a  train  arrives  from  Buffalo,  reducing  the 

record  from  24  to  17  hours,  Oct.  23. 

Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  s.  w.  corner  Green  and  Beaver  streets,  dedicated 

with  ceremonial,  Oct.  26. 

William  Annesley,  aged  81,  dies,  Nov.  3. 

Rev.   B.  T.   Welch  of  the   ist  Pres.   Church,   called   to   Pierrepont 

Street  Church  in  Brooklyn,  Nov.  5. 

Plan  to  supply  the  city  with  water  at  public  expense  receives  4,405 

votes  in  its  favor  and  6  against,  Nov.  7. 

Major  Lewis  N.  Morris'  grave  in  Rural  Cemetery  marked  with  a 

monument,  he  having  fallen  at  the  Battle  of  Monterey, 

Nov.  21. 


No.  46.  JOHN    TAYLOR.  597 

1848-1849. 

Common   Council  passes  law  organizing  the  fire  department, 

Nov.  27. 

Firemen  hold  an  indignation  meeting  in  the  Capitol,  heing  wrought 
up  over  the  new  fire  department  organization,  Nov.  28. 

Teunis  G.  Visscher's  widow,  Alida,  aged  82,  dies,  Dec.  5. 

New  York's  presidential  electors  meet  at  Capitol  and  cast  unani- 
mous vote  for  Gen.  Zachary  Taylor  for  President,  Dec.  6. 

River  traffic  competition  causes  reduction  of  fare  to  New  York  to 
50  cents  bv  the  opposing  steamboats,  Isaac  Newton  and  Rip 
Van  Winkle,  Dec.  7. 

Death  in  the  Capitol  of  Dr.  John  H.  Douglass  of  Troy,  who  was 
there  on  business,  Dec.  9. 

Charles  R.  Webster's  wudow,  Cynthia  (he  a  foremost  publisher  and 
bookseller  at  n.  w.  corner  of  State  and  Pearl  streets)  at  Albion, 
N.  Y.,  aged  78,  Dec.  22. 

Rail  communication  established  with  New  York,  the  Housatonic 
railroad  opened,  promising  its  passengers  to  get  them  through 
by  daylight,  or  8  hours  from  Albany  to  New  York  city, 

Dec.  25. 

Rev.  Rutger  X-'an  Brunt  installed  at  Third  Rcf'd  Dutch  Church, 

Dec.  27. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  28. 

Jane  Ann  Boyd,  daughter  of  the  late  Peter  Boyd,  dies,  Dec.  29. 

General  Wool,  of  Mexican  war  fame,  presented  with  a  sword  cost- 
ing $1,700,  the  gift  of  the  State,  Gov.  John  Young  making  the 
presentation  in  the  Capitol,  Dec.  30. 

Trinity  Church,  Franklin  and  Herkimer  streets,  first  used  by  the 
South  Baptist  Society,  its  purchaser,  ■      Dec.  31. 

Commitments  to  penitentiary  during  year,  363;  jail,   1,961, 

Dec.  31. 


1849. 


Hamilton  Fish  inaugurated  Governor  of  New  York,  Jan.  i. 

Governor  Fish's  message  transmitted  during  delivery  very  success- 
fully by  the  new  invention  called  the  telegraph,  one  wire  con- 
veying it  to  New  York  city,  and  another  to  western  part  of  the 
State,  Jan.  2. 

Petition  to  Legislature  for  power  to  remove  Hallenbake  Cemetery 
from  the  vicinity  of  So.  Pearl  and  Hamilton  streets,       Jan.  5. 

City  real  estate  valuation,  $8,209,957;  p-rsonal  $2,729,881;  total, 
$10,939,838,  Jan.  I. 


59^  JOHN    TAYLOR.  No.  46. 

1849. 

Rev.  Orville  Dewey  engaged  by  Unitarian  Society,  Jan.  7. 

St.  Vincent's  Orphan  Asylum  fair  by  Sisters  of  Charity  nets  the 
handsome  sum  of  $3,144.64,  Jan.   11. 

Albany  Canfornia  Company,  gold-seekers,  afterwards  known  as  the 
Albany  "  Forty-niners,"  sail  from  New  York  in  the  Tarolinta. 

Jan.  13. 

Hon.  Daniel  D.  Barnard  delivers  address  on  the  late  Mayor  Am- 
brose Spencer  (Chief  Justice)  at  the  City  Hall,  Jan.  15. 

Trinity  Episcopal  Church  on  Broad  street  (later  Trinity  Place) 
first  used  for  service,  and  consecrated,  Jan.  21. 

John  Battersby  establishes  a  meat  market  (which  existed  until 
closed  in  1905  at  n.  w.  corner  of  Clinton  ave.  and  No.  Pearl 
St.),  January. 

Rapid  travel  from  Albany  to  New  York,  accomplishing  the  trip  by 
the  Housatonic  road  in  9  hours,  leaving  New  York  at  8  a.  m., 
and  arriving  here  at  5  p.  m.,  Jan.  25. 

At  caucus  in  Assembly  Chamber  Hon.  William  H.  Seward  is  nomi- 
nated for  U.  S.  Senator  in  place  of  John  A.  Dix,  Feb.  i. 

Ship  Robert  Browne  sails  with  20  prospective  gold-miners  of 
Albanv.  from   New  York,  around  the  "  Horn  "  to  California, 

Feb.  6. 

Medical  library  of  late  Dr.  Jonathan  Eights  sold,  Feb.  7. 

Announcement  made  by  the  governor  to  the  Legislature  of  a  gift 
of  many  engravings  by  the  best  masters  from  Pope  Gregory,  in 
return  for  a  Natural  History  of  the  State  sent  to  him,  Feb.  13. 

Pair  of  oxen  from  Wyoming  county  weighing  5,000  lbs.  shown, 

Feb.  15. 

Thermometer  11  degrees  below  zero,  Feb.  16. 

Hog  weighing  949  lbs.  (dressed)  shown  1\\'  Jennings.  Green  street, 

Feb.  24. 

Duff's  Broadway  House,  Broadwav,  near  tlie  old  depot,  where 
many  famous  men  had  stopped,  totally  destroyed  by  fire, 

Feb.  25. 

Mrs.  Leslie,  residing  corner  of  Lumber  (Livingston  ave.)  and 
Water  streets,  gives  birth  to  four  children,  March  3. 

President  Zacharv  Taylor's  message  received  bv  telegraph,  which 
is  considered  a  great  feat,  March  5. 

River  open,  steamboat  Columbia  arriving  through  floating  ice, 

March   17. 

Sloop  Miriam,  under  Captain  Johnson  (colored)  makes  a  record 
trip  from  New  York,  covering  fully  150  miles  in  17  hours, 

March  21. 

Bill  to  establish  a  hospital  here  passes  the  Assembly,  March  26. 


No.  46.  JOHN    TAYLOR.  599 


1849. 


Jonathan  Kidney,  Revolutionary  soldier,  who  prevented  firing  of 
cannon  into  a  procession  in  lower  part  of  city  because  of  a 
difiference  regarding-  ratifying  the  Constitution,   1788,  dies, 

March  28. 

First  machine  "  for  sewing  and  stitching  "  exhibited  at  the  ^lan- 
sion  House,  Broadway,  above  State  street,  and  causes  wonder- 
ment, March  31. 

Common   Council  appropriates  $100  for  alarm-bell.  Little   iiasin, 

April  4. 

Wives  of  boatmen  present  an  extraordinarily  elaborate  quilt  of  their 
handiwork  to  Rev.  John  Miles,  pastor  of  Sailors'  Ijcthel, 

April  5. 

Legislature  given  a  banquet  at  Congress  Llall  by  the  city,     April  7. 

Geo.  W.  Stanton,  president  of  Exchange  Bank,  aged  69,  dies, 

April  8. 

Rensselaer  A  an  Schelluyne.  leaving  a  brother  as  the  last  of  a  line  of 
men  distinguished  in  city  management,  dies,  April  8. 

Charter  election,  at  which  Friend  Humphrey  is  elected  Mayor,  re- 
ceiving 3,142  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate ;  Thomas  Hun,  M.  D., 
receiving  2,925  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  total,  6.072 
votes;  Humphrey's  majority  being  217  votes  he  is  declared 
elected  INIayor,  April  10. 

•         •         • 


(See  No.  43.) 


No.  47. 

Jrankltn  Somua^uh. 


April  16.  1850  — April  14,  1S51 


No.  47. 
FRANKLIN  TOWNSEND. 

Date  of  office:     April  16.  1850-April   14,  1851. 

Date  of  election:     April  9,  1H50. 

Political  party:     Whig. 

Vote:     3,229. 

Opponent:     Eli  Perry. 

Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     3,217,  blank  and  scattering-  10. 

Total  vote:     6,456. 

Date  of  birth:     September  28,  182 1. 

Place  of  birth:     No.  146  State  street. 

Parents:     Isaiah  (T.)  and  Hannah  Townsend. 

Education:     Albany  Boys'  Acadcni}-. 

Married  to:     Anna  Josephine  King-. 

Date:     January  15,  1852. 

Children:     (2)  Rnfus  King,  Franklin. 

Residence:     No.  144  State  street. 

Occupation:     Iron  founder  and  banker. 

Religion:     Presbyterian. 

Date  of  death:     September  11,  1898. 

Place  of  death :     No.  4  Elk  street. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     General. 

Remarks:  Adjutant-General,  January  i,  1869-January  i,  1873: 
Tanuarv  i,  1875-April  7,  1879.  Alderman.  Assembly.  Su- 
pervisor. President  New  York  State  National  Bank.  Vice- 
President  Albany  Savings  Bank. 


47.     FRANKLIN  TOWN  SEND. 
1850-1S51. 
From  a  photograph  made  from  life  by  Pirie  Macdonald,  and  owned  in  1904 
by  his  danijhter-in-law,  Mrs.  Franklin  Townsend. 


No.  47-  FRAXKr.ix  townsexd.  603 

1850. 

(  Continued  from  Xo.  43. ) 
1850. 


Gen.  Franklin  Townscnd  assumes  the  otitice  of  Mayor,  having  heen 
elected  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  9th,  when  he  re- 
ceived 3,229  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate,  his  opponent,  Eli 
•  Perry,  the  Democratic  candidate,  receiving-  3,217  votes,  blank 
and  scattering  10  votes ;  total  votes  cast,  6,456 ;  Franklin 
Townsend's  majority  over  Eli  Perry,  12  votes,  April   16. 

Charter  election,  Mayor.  Franklin  Townsend ;  Common  Council : 
William  L.  Osborn,  Bernard  Lynch,  I.  Edvvard  Satterlee, 
Joseph  Courtney,  II.  Garret  V.  S.  Bleecker,  Levi  Phillips,  III. 
John  D.  Hewson,  Alden  March,  IV.  Henry  Bleecker,  Visscher 
Ten  Eyck,  V.  James  A.  Wilson,  George  Dexter,  VI.  Henry 
B.  Hew^itt,  Joseph  Clinton,  VII.  Chauncey  Pratt  Williams, 
William  B.  Scott,  VIII.  William  Cumming.  Richard  J.  Grant, 
IX.  George  M.  Sayles,  Daniel  E.  Bassett,  X.  Election,  April 
9;  sworn  in,  April  16. 

American  Express  Co.  formed  by  consolidation  of  the  several 
small  comoanies  doing  an  express  business  at  this  city. 

Division  street  the  southern  end  of  So.  Pearl  street  now. 

Albany.  Bennington  &  Rutland  Railroad  Company  organized,  elect- 
ing following  directors,  all  Albanians :  Marcus  T.  Reynolds, 
John  Tayler  Cooper,  Samuel  Pruyn,  Charles  Van  Benthuysen, 
Franklin  Townsend,  James  Kidd,  Wm.  W.  Forsyth,  James  A. 
Wilson,  John  B.  James,  Wm.  V.  ]Many  and  John  L.  School- 
craft, April  25. 

O'Reilly  telegraph  poles,  surmounted  by  gilded  eagles,  erected 
through  the  city,  April  26. 

Rev.  M.  Van  Waggoner  preaches  farewell  at  Universalist  Churcl"!, 

April  28. 

Lydia  Collins,  wife  of  Eli  Perry  f48th  mayor),  dies,         April  28. 

Marcus  T.  Reynolds  elected  president  of  the  Albany  &  Rutland 
Railroad  Company  at  a  meeting  of  directors,  April  30. 

Van  Rensselaer  island,  just  south  of  the  city,  under  water  for  the 
eighth  time  this  spring  and  greatly  damaged,  April  30. 

Recently  appointed  water  commissioners  meet  to  consider  an  in- 
creased supply,  and  name  Wm.  J.  McAlpin  to  study  various 
projects,  ]\Iay  i. 

Ex-Mayor  B.  P.  Staats  presides  at  a  meeting  in  "  Old  "  Capitol  at 
which  flogging  in  the  navy  is  condemned.  May  6. 

Omnibus  line  starts  running  from  North  to  South  ferry.     May  6. 

Holy  Cross  (German  R.  C.)  Church  corner-stone  laid,  s.  w.  corner 


604  FRAXKLIX    TOWXSEXD.  Xo.  4/. 

1850. 

Hamilton  and   Philip  streets,  by  Bishop  McCloskey,  Western 
New  York,  May  12. 

Albany  City  Savings  Institution,  recently  chartered,  opens,  May  22. 

Homeopathic  Aledical  Society  of  the  State  of  New  York  formed. 

Journeymen  Printers'  Union  meets  at  Clinton  hotel  on  So.  Pearl 
street  and  elects  Giles  K.  Winne  president,  June  i. 

Steamboat  Kosciusko  leaves  for  New  York,  charging  only  6% 
cents  for  passage,  June  12. 

O'Reilly  telegraph  line  connected  with  New  York,  June  25. 

Horticultural  exhibit  at  Geological  Hall  shOws  50  varieties  of 
strawberries,  June  26. 

Independence  Dav  celebrated  Avith  processions,  William  Barnes  de- 
livering the  oration  and  Walter  R.  Bush  reading  the  Declara- 
tion,  July  4. 

Grace  (Episcopal)  Church  corner-stone  laid,  corner  of  Washington 
avenue  and  Lark  street,  by  Bishop  W^hittingham,  July  8. 

Gen.  Zacharv  Taylor's  death  on  July  9th  announced  in  this  city 
(born  in  Orange  county,  Va..  Sept.  24,  1784,  12th  President, 
inaugurated  on  March  4,  1849),  July  10. 

City  draped  in  mourning,  all  stores  closed,  in  honor  of  the  funeral 
of  President  Zachary  Taylor  at  Washington,  July  14. 

Funeral  procession  in  this  city  honoring  memory  of  the  late  Presi- 
dent Zachary  Taylor,  Jul}-  17. 

Anshe  Emeth  synagogue  organized  by  Rabbi  Isaac  Wise,  South 
Pearl  and  Herkimer  streets. 

Albany  Burgesses'  Corps  returns  from  an  excursion,  started  on  the 
5th,  to  New  York,  Providence  and  Boston,  and  banquet  at 
John  McCardel's  refectory  on  Beaver  street,  Aug.   10. 

City  Water  Commission  purchases  Patroon's  creek,  with  sufficient 
land,  for  $150,000,  including  water  leases,  which  paid  about 
$8,000  annually,  Aug.  23. 

Thomas  W.  Olcott's  wife,  Lucia  ]\Iarvin,  aged  25,  dies,       Aug.  25. 

City  decides  to  adopt  gas  instead  of  oil,  Sept.  2. 

Home  for  the  Friendless  established  by  Mrs.  Lee. 

Holy  Innocents'  Church  consecrated  by  Bishop  Whittingham, 

Sept.  3. 

Frederika  Bremer,  Swedish  authoress,  comes  to  the  city,       Sept.  3. 

New  York  State  Fair  held  at  Albany  for  the  second  time,  the  tenth 
annual  exhibition,  Ezra  P.  Prentice  of  this  city,  president,  at 
the  Bull's  Head  on  the  Troy  road,  Sept.  4. 

Hon.  Daniel  D.  Barnard  appointed  U.  S.  ^Minister  to  Berlin, 

Sept.  5. 

State    Fair   closed,   having   sold   40,000   admissions,    6,000   vehicles 

there,  net  income  $10,465.10,  Sept.  7- 


No.  47-  FRAXKLIX    TOWXSEXD.  605 

1850. 

Water  commissioners  award  work  on  projected  waterworks  sys- 
tem at  \A''est  Albany  amountinj^  to  about  $600,000,        Sept.  17. 

Sanders  Lansing  prominent  in  Revolutionary  scenes,  and  a  brother 
of  Chancellor  John  Lansing",  county  judge  and  register  of  thi^ 
court  of  chancery,  dies  at  INIanheim.  aged  85,  Sept.  19. 

James  Kidd  appointed  postmaster  to  succeed  Lewis  Benedict, 

Sept.  28. 

Contract  closed  for  construction  of  the  Albany  &  Rutland  railroad, 
conditioned  on  the  work  being  completed  in  one  year,     Oct.  i. 

Steamboat  Reindeer  built  by  Thomas  Collyer,  2^)0  feet  long.  34 
feet  broad,  9  feet  deep,  56  x  144  in.  engine. 

State  Library  building  being  erected  on  north  side  of  State  street, 
opposite  High  street. 

Colored  citizens  meet  in  the  City  Hall  to  discuss  the  "  fugitive 
slave  "  law,  Oct.  3. 

Eagle  Tavern  site  built  upon  by  J\Ir.  Delavan,  for  stores,  east  side 
of  Broadway,  from  Hamilton  street  southward,  Oct.  8. 

Benjamin  R.   Spelman  elected  captain  of  the  Burgesses,       Oct.  8. 

East  Albany  freight  trat^c  increased  to  250  cars  loaded  daily, 

Oct.  12. 

Matthew  Trotter,  after  wdiom  Trotter's  Alley  named  (Broadway 
to  the  river,  south  of  Hudson  avenue)  dies  at  sea  returning 
from  France,  Oct.   17. 

Greenbush  horse-boat,  in  tow  of  ferry,  sinks,  and  four  horses  are 
drowned,  Oct.  29. 

House's  Telegraph  Line,  the  third,  begins  working,  Oct.  31. 

Albany  &  Mohawk  plank  road  completion  celebrated,  Nov.  9. 

James  H.  Armsby,  J\L  D.,  elected  president  Albany  County  Medical 
Society,  Nov.  14. 

Hon.  Erastus  Corning,  first  president  of  the  Utica  &  Schenectady 
Railroad  Co..  voted  a  silver  service,  having  long  given  freely 
his  valuable  services,  Nov.  19. 

Scho-negh-ta-da  Lodge,  No.  87,  L  O.  O.  F.,  instituted,       Dec.   i. 

Mount  Carmel  Lodge,  No.  76,  L  O.  O.  P.,  instituted,  Dec.  i. 

New  York  State  Bank's  building,  on  reorganizing  under  new 
charter  to  be  issued  in  January,  sold  at  auction  for  $19,000, 

Dec.  4. 

Thomas  McCredie's  wife,  Helen,  daughter  of  Robert  Dunlop.  dies, 

Dec.  6. 

Reuben  Dunbar,  having  been  on  trial  for  tw'o  weeks,  is  convicted 
of  the  mysterious  and  brutal  murder  of  two  Lester  boys  in 
the  woods  at  Westerlo,  on  Sept.  28th,  Dec.  10. 

Rev.  Ray  Palmer  installed  pastor  Pirst  Congregational  Church, 

Dec.   10. 


6o6  FRANKLIN    TOWNSENU.  No.  47. 


1850-1851. 


River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Dec.  17. 

New  York  State  Bank's  original  charter  expires,  Dec.  31. 

riiermometer  15  degrees  below  zero,  Dec.  31. 


1851. 


Washington  Hunt  inaugurated  Governor  of  New  York,       Jan.   i. 

New  York  State  Bank,  with  new  charter,  reorganizes  with  capital 
of  $350,000,  as  the  New  York  State  National  Bank,       Jan.  i. 

Cathedral  of  Immaculate  Conception  fair,  to  aid  building  fund, 
nets  $7,600,  closed,  Jan.  4. 

First  Baptist  Church  holds  last  service  at  its  Green  street  building, 
which  it  sells  to  the  People's  Church,  newly  organized  under 
Rev.  Geo.  Aiontgomery  West,  Jan.  5. 

Reuben  Dunbar,  for  killing  the  two  Lester  boys  in  the  Westerlo 
woods  on  Sept.  28th,  is  executed  in  the  jail,  Jan.  31. 

Dr.  James  P.  Boyd's  residence,  n.  e.  corner  of  Hudson  avenue  and 
Grand  street,  burned  with  loss  of  $6,000,  Jan.  31. 

Several  railroad  lines  extending  across  the  State  combine  as  the 
New  York  Central  road. 

Albany  Weekly  Express  appears,  issued  by  Stone  &  Henly,     Feb.  i. 

Freshet  carries  away  200  feet  of  the  Government  embankment  ex- 
tending to  the  island  opposite  North  Albany  from  mainland, 

Feb.  12. 

Albany  &  Northern  Railroad  Co.  incorporated  for  purpose  of  con- 
structing a  road  to  Eagle  Bridge,  Feb.  20. 

William  Allen,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  aged  94,  dies,         Feb.  23. 

River  open  to  navigation,  Oregon  arriving,  Feb.  25. 

John  C.  Feltman,  born  at  Osnaburgh,  Hanover,  Germany,  Oct.  8, 
1775,  and  emigrated  here  in  1806,  a  prominent  citizen,  dies, 

March  i. 

Common  Council  decides  to  increase  the  Mayor's  salary  to  $1,000, 
beginning  with  the  next  incumbent,  Feb.  3. 

Anti-renters  convene  at  Beardsley's  hotel  to  revive  party, 

March  19. 

Regular  police  department  established  by  Laws  of  1851. 

City  divided  into  four  police  precincts. 

Eli  Perry  elected  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  election,  receiv- 
ing 3,542  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  Franklin  Town- 
send  receiving  3,176  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate;  blank  and 
scattering,  14  votes ;  total  votes  cast,  6,732 ;  Perry's  majority 
over  F.  Townsend,  366  votes,  and  Eli  Perry  is  declared  mayor- 
elect,  April  S. 


No.  48. 

iEU  P^rrg. 


April  15,  1851— Jan.  12,  1852. 
Jan.  13,  1852  — Jan.  9,  1854. 

-•'r  vt  w 

May  6.  1856  — May  3,  1858. 

May  4,  1858  — April  30.  1860. 

-;:-  -K-  -;:- 

May  6,  1862  —  May  2,  1864. 
May  3,  1864  —April  30,  1866. 


No.  48. 
ELI  PERRY. 

Date  of  office:     (a)   April  15,  1851-January  12.  1852. 

(b)  January  13,  1852-Jaiinary  9,  1854. 

(c)  May  6,  1856-May  3.  1858. 

(d)  May  4,  1858-April  30,  i860. 

(e)  May  6,  1862-May  2,  1864. 

(f)  May  3,  1864-April  30,  1866. 
Date  of  election:     (a)    April  8,  1851. 

(b)  November  4,  185 1. 

(c)  April  8,  1856. 

(d)  April  13,  1858. 

(e)  April  8,  1862. 

(f)  April  12,  1864. 
Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     (a)   3,542. 

(b)  4,022. 

(c)  2,990. 

(d)  4,702. 

(e)  5.635- 

(O   5.375- 
Opponent:     (a)    Eranklin  Townsend. 

(b)  Thomas  McMullen. 

(c)  John  V.  P.  Qnackenbush,  (cc)  Visscher  Ten  Eyck, 

(d)  Dr.  John  Qnackenbush. 

(e)  George  W.  Luther. 

(f)  Gen.-  John  E.  Rathbone. 
Political  Party:     (a)  \Vhig-. 

(b)  Whig. 

(c)  Republican. 

(d)  Republican. 

(e)  Repu1:)lican. 

(f)  Repul)]ican. 

Vote:      (a)  3,176,  blank  and  scattering-  14. 

(b)  3,050,  blank  and  scattering  22. 

(c)  2,172,   (cc)   T,ioo,  blank  and  scattering  14. 

(d)  4,601,  blank  and  scattering  26. 

(e)  3,146,  blank  and  scattering  40. 

(f)  3.462.  blank  and  scattering  42. 


Total  vote:     (a)   6,732. 

(b)  7.094. 

(c)  6,276. 

(d)  9,329. 

(e)  8,821. 

(f)  8,879. 

Date  of  birth:     December  25,  1799. 
Plaee  of  birth:     \\'asbint;"ton  county,  N.  Y. 
Parents:     Jobn  (  P. )  and  Jeannie  Searles. 
Education:     Country  scbools. 
Married  to:     (a)   Elizabeth  Clark. 

(b)  Lydia  Collins. 

(c)  Matilda  Caroline  Todd. 
Date:     (a) 

(b) 

(c)   New  York,  June  22,  1853. 

CJiildren:     (a-4)    Oliver  Hazard,  (3  dau.  d.  v.). 
(b-i  d.  y.) 
(c)    None. 

Residence:     No.  85  Washing-ton  avenue. 

Occupation:     Live  stock  and  provisions. 

Religion:     Baptist. 

Date  of  death:     May  17,  1881. 

Place  of  death:     No.  85  Washington  avenue. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Alderman,  April  2,  1845.  Assembly  (fourth  district) 
1850-51.  Contracted  to  supply  provisions  in  Civil  War  and 
fulfilled,  although  he  lost  his  fortune  in  so  doing,  by  raise  in 
prices.  Offered  Congress  Park  for  State  Capitol  site,  Febru- 
ary 23,  1865.  Livingston  avenue  railroad  bridge  opened  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1866;  21  piers,  4,253  feet.  Secured  $350,000  for 
new  Federal  building,  February  13,  1872.  Congressman, 
1870-72.  Presidential  elector,  1876.  School  Commissioner. 
President  Board  of  Trustees  Pearl  Street  Baptist  Church. 
Member  of  Masters  Lodge,  No.  5,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  Temple 
Commandery.  Xo.  5,  R.  A.  M. ;  Albany  Burgesses  Corps; 
life  member  of  Albany  Jackson  Corps.  Organized  personally 
43d  Regiment.  Organized  Albany  Orphan  Asylum.  School 
No.  13  completed  1859.  built  in  1779,  State  Arsenal  until  1859. 


4^5.     ELI    PERRY. 
1S51-54;   1856-60;   1S62-66. 
From  an   01]   paintiny  made   from   life   and 
Institute. 


owned  in    1904  by  The  Albany 


No.  48.  ELI    PERRV.  6ll 

1851. 

(Continued  from  No.  47.) 
1851. 


Eli  Perry  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  having'  been  chosen  at 
the  Charter  election  held  on  April  (Sth,  when  he  received  3,542 
votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  his  opponent.  Gen.  Frank- 
. lin  Townsend,  receiving"  3,176  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate; 
blank  and  scattering,  14  votes;  total  number  of  votes  cast, 
(^,'/;i,2\  Perry's  majority  over  Townsend  being  366  votes  he  was 
declared  chosen  mayor  of  Albany,  April  15. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  Eli  Perry ;  Common  Council :  Bernard 
Lynch,  Thomas  Leonard,  L  Joseph  Courtney,  William  P.  Mal- 
burn,  IL  Levi  Phillips,  Garret  \*.  S.  Bleecker,  IIL  Alden 
]\Iarch,  Jacob  Hendrickson,  I\'.  A  isscher  Ten  Eyck,  Alfred 
Van  Santvoord,  \.  George  Dexter,  William  Eggleston,  \  L 
Joseph  Clinton,  John  J.  Jarvis,  VIL  William  B.  Scott,  Elias 
A^anderlip,  VHP  Richard  J.  Grant,  James  D.  Wasson,  IX. 
Daniel  E.  Bassett.  George  M.  Sayles,  X.  Election,  April  8; 
sworn  in,  April  15. 

Twelve  Democratic  senators  resign  refusing  to  sanction  the  bor- 
rowing of  $9,000,000  for  enlargement  of  the  Erie  canal,  and 
Legislature  adjourns,  April  17. 

Large  Democratic  meeting  in  the  Capitol  because  of  the  Erie  canal 
discussion    and    sudden    adjournment   of   the   Leg'islature, 

April  18. 

Albany   &   Susquehanna   railroad   incorporated,  April    19. 

Water  mains  in  the  city  at  this  time  measure  29  8/10  miles, 

April  20. 

Albany  Law  School  organized.  Chief  Justice  Greene  C.  Bronson, 
Pres't,  April  21. 

Great  meeting  of  Whigs  in  the  Capitol  to  denounce  action  of  the 
Democrats  in  attacking  the  constitutionality  of  law  planning 
enlargement  of  the  Erie  canal,  April  22,. 

Bleecker  reservoir,  west  of  Ontario   street,  being  constructed, 

April  25. 

Frederick  W.  Ridgway,  prominent  citizen,  aged  34,  dies.       May  2. 

Thomas  Hurst  falls  from  railroad  bridge  over  Patroon's  creek, 
aged  55,  and  dies,  ^lay  3. 

Steamboat  Xew  W^orld,  trip   in  7  hrs.,  4^  mins.,  commissioned, 

Mav. 


6l2  ELI    PERRY.  No.  48. 

1851. 

President  Millard  Fillmore  arrives  at  3  p.  m.  from  the  West  and 
is  taken  about  the  city,  escorted  by  military  bodies,  amid  great 
enthusiasm,  and  is  escorted  to  the  night  boat  at  7  p.  m., 

j\Iay  22. 

Steamboat  Reindeer  makes  record  trip  in  7  hrs.  44  mins.,      ]\Iay  31. 

N.  Y.  Central  railroad  leases  Troy  &  Greenbush  railroad,     June  i. 

Weekly  Knickerbocker  commenced  by  Hugh  J.  Hastings,  June  8. 

Legislature  meets  in  extra  session,  June  10. 

Patroon's  creek  being  dammed  six  miles  west  of  the  city  to  form 
Rensselaer  lake,  also  known  as  the  Tivoli  lakes,  the  Upper 
and  Lower,  covering  an  area  of  40  acres,  capacity  of  200,000 
gallons,  William  J.  McAlpine,  engineer,  June  15. 

Legislature  passes  a  bill  for  the  erection  of  a  fireproof  building  on 
State   street,   opposite   High   street,    west   of   the    Capitol, 

June    18. 

Strike  of  laborers  at  work  on  constructing  waterworks,  contractors 
agreeing  to  pay  87^  cents  for  10  hours,  or  $1   for  12  hours. 

June  23. 

Demolition  of  No.  Pearl  street  Methodist  Church,  originally  a 
circus,  begun,  Jwne  24. 

Independence  Day  celebrated,  oration  by  S.  H.  Hammond,  Dudley 
Farlin  the  reader,  and  poem  by  William  H.  Green,         July  4. 

Jenny  Lind  gives  her  first  vocal  concert  here  as  the  greatest  living 
singer,  at  Third  Presbyterian  Church,  J^^^ly  9- 

Ojibway   Indians   make   encampment   on    shore   across   river, 

July   10. 

Legislative  extra  session  adjourns,  Jwly  n. 

Jenny  Lind  gives  second  concert  in  Third  Presbyterian  Church, 

July  II. 

Albany  Hospital  board  of  governors  organizes,  choosing  John  C. 
Spencer  president,  and  naming  a  committee  to  procure  build- 
ing, July   14. 

Albany  Academy  students  present  Rev.  Dr.  William  H.  Campbell, 
principal,  on  retiring,  with  a  gold  watch ;  George  H.  Cook 
elected    (4th)    principal   in   his  stead,  July   15. 

Steamboat  Trojan,  owned  here,  burns  at  New  York  city  dock, 

Aug.  7. 

Jenny  Lind  arrives  on  steamboat  Reindeer  and  takes  rooms  at 
Congress  Hall,  Aug  8. 

American  Association  for  Advancement  of  Science  meets  in  hall 
of  Albany  Institute  in  the  Albany  Academy,  Aug.   18. 

Ground  broken  for  State  Library  building,  rear  of  Capitol,  Aug.  24. 


STATE  LIBRARY  OF  1851. 
Established  by  Act  of  Apr.  21,  1818,  and  opened  in  old  Capitol  (1808),  John 
Cook,  Librarian,  in  July  ;  bill  for  a  building  passed  June  18,  1851  ;  ground  broken, 
Aug.  24,  1851  ;  erected  on  north  side  State  st.,  adjoining  rear  of  old  Capitol,  two 
stories,  45  X  114  ft.,  of  brownstone  ;  removal  authorized  July  19,  1883,  and  books 
placed  in  new  Capitol  in  September,  occupying  western  end  25  years. 


No.  48.  ELI    PERRY.  613 

1851. 

Excavating-  for  water-pipes  at  foot  of  State  street,  two  graves  01 
the  old  Dutch  Church  opened  and  bocHes  exliunied,         Aug.  28. 

Albany  Daily  Eagle  first  issued  by  John  Sharts,  editor,       Sept.   i. 

Central    railroad    starts    excavations    for   Maiden    Lane    bridge, 

Sept.  9. 

Father   JNlatthew,    Apostle   of   Temperance,    arrives    from    Utica, 

Sept.  12. 

Jews  having-  ijurchased  tiie  So.  Pearl  Street  liaptist  Church,  at  the 
head  of  Herkimer  street,  Rev.  Mv.  Howard  preaches  parting 
sermon,  Sept.  28. 

Bishop  AlcCloskev  of  the  Roman  Catholic  diocese,  preaclies  parting 
sermon,  receives  a  gift  of  $1,500  and  leaves  for  Europe, 

Sept.  29. 

First  train  on  the  Hudson  River  railroad  arrives  from  New  York, 

.    Oct.   I. 

Jews  consecrate  the  former  So.  Pearl  Street  Baptist  Church  at  the 
head  of  Herkimer  street  as  the  Anshe  Emeth   Synagogue, 

Oct.   3. 

Mrs.  Blandina  increases  contribution  to  erect  the  Dudley  Observ- 
atory to  $13,000  and  Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  donates 
the  hill  at  North  Albany,  to  the  west  of  his  Manor  House  estate, 

October. 

Great  celebration  of  Hudson  River  railroad,  1,100  sitting  down 
to  dinner  here,  a  train  coming  from  New  York  on  the  new 
road  in  3  124  hours  running  time,  Oct.  8. 

City  Temperance  Society  organized,  Hon.  Bradford  R.  Wood,  presi- 
dent, Oct.  14. 

Water  let  in  the  new  aqueduct  at  Rensselaer  lake  at  9:19  a.  n-i., 
reaching  the  weir  at  head  of  Washington  street  at  11  :3i  a.  m., 

Oct.  24. 

Methodists  occupy  building  erected  on  site  of  the  old  circus  on  No. 
Pearl  street,  near  Clinton  avenue,  Oct.  26. 

Albany  City  Hospital  dedicated  at  the  corner  of  Dove  street  and 
Lydius  street,  (Madison  avenue)  addresses  by  President  John 
C.  Spencer  of  the  board  of  governors,  followed  by  remarks  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Potter  and  prayer  by  Rev.  Dr.  Pohlman,  Nov.  i. 

William  J.  McAlpine  of  this  city  elected  State  engineer  and  sur- 
veyor, Nov.  4. 

Eli  Perry  re-elected  the  jNIayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  election, 
receiving  4,022  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  his  op- 
ponent, Thomas  McMullen,  receiving  3,050  votes  as  the  Whig 
candidate ;  blank  and  scattering,  22  votes ;  total  number  of 
votes  cast,  7,094 ;  Perry's  majority  over  McMullen  being-  972 
votes  he  is  declared  elected  Mayor  of  Albany,  Nov.  4. 


6 14  ELI    PERRY.  No.  48. 

1851-1852. 

Holy  Cross  Church,  organized  by  German  Catholics,  dedicated  at 

the  s.  w.  corner  of  Hamilton  and  Philip  streets,  by  Very  Rev. 

John  Conroy,  cost,  $9,000,  Nov.  23. 

Young-  Men's  Association  enters  new  rooms  in  the  recently  erected 

Commercial   Bank  building   on   south   side   of    State    street, 

Dec.  10. 
River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.  14. 

Robert  Dunlop,  eminent  merchant  of  this  city  who  had  acquired  a 

fortune,  dies  at  his  home  in  Watervliet,  aged  75  years,  having 

come  here  from  Scotland  in  1806,  Dec.  15. 

Law  Department  of  the  University  of  Albany  opens,  Judge  Amasa 

J.    Parker   delivering   a   course   of   lectures   in   the   Y.    M.   A. 

rooms  in  the  new  Commercial  Bank  building,  Dec.  17. 

William  L.  Marcy  presides  at  a  meeting  in  the  Capitol  before  the 

friends  of  Louis  Kossuth  and  Hungarian  freedom,       Dec.  19. 
Margaret  Whetten  widow  of  the  late  Captain  Stewart  Dean,  the 

navigator  of  this  city  after  whom  the  street  was  named,  aged 

95  years,  dies  in  New  York  city,  Dec.  21. 

Canal  commissioners  award  large  contracts  for  enlarging  the  Erie 

canal,  Dec.  30. 


1852. 


Rain  causing  high  ^^'ater,  the  ice  sweeps  down,  bearing  past  the 
city  a  canal-boat  with  woman  and  child  aboard,  who  cannot 
be  rescued  because  of  the  swift  current  and  water  filled  with 
huge  cakes  of  ice;  but  at  Castleton  they  are  rescued,       Jan.  i. 

Rev.  W.  W.  Moore  begins  pastorate  of  South  Baptist  Church, 
corner  of  Plerkimer  and  Franklin  streets,  Jan.  4. 

The  fair  held  for  the  benefit  of  the  new  Orphan  Asylum  at  Bleecker 
Hall,  No.  527  Broadway,  nets  $3,249,  Jan.  7. 

New  North  Methodist  Church,  erected  on  site  of  the  old  No.  Pearl 
street  circus,   dedicated,  Jan.    ii. 

•         •         • 

Hon.  Eli  Perry  is  sworn  a  second  time  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany, 
at  his  home  because  of  sickness,  having  been  chosen  at  the 
Charter  election  held  on  Nov.  4,  1851,  when  his  majority  as 
the  Democratic  candidate,  over  Thomas  McMullen,  the  Whig 
candidate  was  972  votes,  Jan.  12. 

Charter  election.  Mayor,  Eli  Perry;  Common  Council:  Thomas 
Leonard.  John  McEvoy,  L  William  P.  Alalburn,  Richard 
Godley,  H.  Garret  V.  S.  Bleecker,  John  A.  Sickles,  HL  Jacob 
Hendrickson,     Charles    Gav,     IV.       Alfred     A'an     Santvoord, 


No.  48.  ELI    PERRY.  615 

1852. 

Visscher  Ten  Eyck,  V.  William  Eggleston,  George  Dexter, 
VI.  John  J.  Jarvis,  Thomas  Iliggins,  VII.  Elias  Vanderlip, 
Richard  Stafford,  VIII.  James  D.  Wasson,  Thomas  W.  Valen- 
tine, IX.  George  M.  Sayles,  Philip  Fredenrich,  X.  Election, 
N^ov.  4,  1851;  sworn  in,  Jan.  13. 

The  first  train  on  the  Harlem  Railroad,  invited  guests  aboard,  comes 
through  to  Albany  and  all  dine  at  Congress  Hall,  Jan.  19. 

The  Police  Department  succeeds  the  constabulary  system. 

Third  Police  Precinct  occupying  building  on  Jackson  street. 

Fourth  Police  Precinct  station  located  n.  w.  Lancaster  and  Dove. 

Enormous  procession  of  Temperance  societies  marches  to  the  Cap- 
itol, but  not  all  can  be  accommodated  and  some  proceed  else- 
where, Jan.  28. 

John  Gott,  born  in  Vermont  in  1786,  removed  to  this  city  in  1799, 
and  engaged  in  tobacco  business,  described  as  "  a  fine  old  gentle- 
man," aged  68  years,  dies,  Feb.  2. 

Sylvanus  J.  Penniman,  coming  here  from  Lansingburg  in  1823 
and  opening  the  drug  house  that  was  bought  out  by  J.  and 
Archibald  McClure  in  1832,  which  firm  continued  it  under 
similiar  name  (McClure  &  Co.)  for  half  a  century,  aged  71, 
dies,  Feb.  7. 

\\'illiam  Gould's  (law^-book  seller)  wife,  Mary,  aged  75  years,  dies, 

Feb.  7. 

A  posse  of  22  policemen  visit  the  scene  of  the  anti-renters  in  the 
Helderbergs,  where  Mr.  Fish  had  been  tarred  and  feathered, 
returning  with  two  prisoners,  after  being  attacked  with  weap- 
ons, Feb.  23. 

The  Bethlehem  Washington  Guards,  attacked  while  on  parade  by  a 
mob  of  young  ruffians,  necessitating  the  visit  of  police, 

March  6. 

Albany  City  Hospital's  board  of  governors  purchase  the  old  jail  at 
s.  e.  corner  of  Eagle  and  Howard  streets  for  purpose  of  con- 
verting it  into  a  hospital,  March  20. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  March  28. 

Hugh  Denniston,  prominent  citizen,  dies  aged  57  years,  March  30. 

Legislature  adjourns  after  a  session  continuing"  through  24  hours, 

April   13. 

After  a  session  of  102  days  the  Legislature  adjourns,       April  17. 

Foundations  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  (Hudson  ave.,  Philip  and 
Plain  streets)  commenced,  April  20. 

Mount  Moriah  Lodge  (Ancient  City)   X^o.  143,  instituted. 

Gen.  Solomon.  Van  Rensselaer,  a  distinguished  fighter  and  leader 
at  the  battle  of  Queenstown  on  Oct.    13,   1812,  congressman, 


6l6  ELI    PERBY.  No.  48. 

1852. 


son  of  Gen.  Henry  K.  Van  Rensselaer,  (b.  Greenbush,  in  the 
okl  Genet  Mansion)  aged  "jj,  dies  at  his  Cherry  Hill  mansion 
south  of  the  city,  April  23. 

Funeral  of  Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  attended  by  military 
honors.  April  26. 

Louis  Kossuth,  the  Hungarian  exile  of  note,  arrives  by  eastern 
train,  is  received  by  military  bodies  and  escorted  to  Congress 
Hall  (hotel)  where  he  is  addressed  by  Gov.  Washington  Hunt. 

May  18. 

Louis  Kossuth  makes  an  address  at  Third  Presbyterian  Church, 

May  20. 

Kossuth  leaves  by  railroad  for  Niagara,  having  received  a  fund  of 
$2,000  here  to  aid  the  LIungarians,  May  21. 

Lots  sold  north  of  Madison  avenue  for  opening  Steamboat  Square. 

May  27, 

Meeting  of  the  trustees  of  the  proposed  Dudley  Observatory, 
Thomas  W.  Olcott  chosen  president,  plans  of  Mr.  Downing 
examined  and  a  building  committee  named.  May  28. 

Louis  Kossuth,  on  second  visit  to  the  city,  addresses  a  large  audi- 
ence at  Association  Hall,  stating  that  he  was  through  traveling 
in  this  country.  Rabbi  Wise  opening  the  exercises,       June  5. 

Kossuth  departs  for  New  York  aboard  steamboat  Alida,       June  7. 

New  express  train  starts  running  to  Buffalo,  making  the  trip  in  the 
fast  time  of  \\  hours,  Jwne  14. 

New  Steamboat,  Francis  Skiddy,  built  by  George  Collyer,  1,235 
tons,  322  feet  long.  38  feet  broad,  11  feet  deep,  71x168  in. 
engine,  arrives  for  first  time,  making"  trip  in  7  hrs.,  24  minutes, 
record,  June  21, 

Nail  works  of  Erastus  Corning,  below  Troy,  burn  with  a  loss  of 
$50,000,  June   27. 

The  Freie  Blaetter,  a  German  newspaper.  Aug.  Miggael  editor, 
No.  44  Beaver  street,  established. 

New  steamboat  Francis  Skiddy  makes  record  trip  from  New  York, 
6  hrs.,  55^  mins.,  deducting  landings,  June  30. 

James  Stevenson,  former  mayor,  lawyer,  estimable  citizen  and  ever 
working  assiduously  to  advance  the  city's  interests,  a  member 
of  a  number  of  large  business  interests,  aged  65  years,  dies, 

July  3- 

Independence  Day  celebrated,  J.  L  Werner  the  orator,  July  4. 

Remains  of  Hon.  Henry  Clay  arrive  at  night  and  are  escorted  by 
a  torchlight  procession  to  the  City  Hall  by  military  companies, 

July  5. 

Green  Street  theatre  opened  after  being  used  by  the  Baptists  as  a 
church  for  40  years,  July  5. 


No.  4^.  ELI    PERRY.  617 

1852. 


Remains   of   Henry   Clay   escorted   to   the   railroad   station   by   the 

Burgesses'  corps,  wlio  accompany  them  to  Syracuse,       July  6. 
A.  AlcClure's  large  paint  and  drug-store  on  State  street  consumed 

by  fire  resulting  from  alcohol,  July  23. 

Steamboat  Henry  Clay  burned  on  its  way  to  New  York  and  nearly 

one  hundred  lives  lost,  July  28. 

New  York  &  Erie  railroad  completed. 
B'irst  public  procession  of  the  Turn-Verein  and  Sing-Verein, 

Aug.   16. 
Ferry-boat  capsizes  and  20  of  25  passengers  drown,  Aug.  22. 

Steamboat  Reindeer  bursts  a  flue  at  Bristol  (40  miles  south  of  this 

city)  and  seven  persons  are  killed,  Sept.  4. 

City  authorities  take  possession  of  the  South  Ferry,  Sept.  7. 

Copper  kettle  of  Taylor  &  Son's  brewery,  containing  200  barrels  of 

beer,  falls,  doing  great  damage,  Sept.  10. 

Akin  &  Schuyler  take  ferry  rights,  paying  city  $2,200  annually, 

Sept.  29. 
Steamboat  Mary  Powell  first  in  commission. 
Sacred  Heart  convent  or  academy  opened  in  Westerlo  building  on 

So.  Pearl  street,  with  30  scholars. 
Normal  School  elects   Samuel  B.  Wool  worth  its   (3rd)    principal, 

succeeding  George  R.  Perkins  who  came  into  that  office  in  1848. 
Gen.  Winfield  Scott  arrives  here  and  is  escorted  to  the  Capitol  by 

military    bodies,    where    he    is    addressed    by    Judge    John    C. 

Spencer,  Oct.  16. 

General  Scott  departs  for  New  York,  Oct.  18. 

Gen.    Chauncey    Humphrev,    former    prominent    citizen,    dies    at 

Middlebury,  Vt.,  '  Oct.   18. 

Albanv  City  Volunteers  organize,  John  Arts  captain,  Oct.  21. 

Citizens  assemble   at  the   City  Hall  to  express   resolutions  on  the 

death  of  Daniel  Webster,  Oct.  26. 

On   Mayor    Perry's    recommendation,    citizens    close   all    places   of 

business   out  of  respect  to   Daniel   Webster,   at   noon,   during 

his  funeral  at  Marshfield,  Oct.  29. 

Cathedral  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  dedicated  by  Archbishop 

Hughes,   in   presence   and   assisted   by   another   archbishop,    5 

bishops  and  50  priests,  with  an  audience  of  4,000  persons, 

Nov.  21. 
Rev.  A.  A.  Thayer  installed  at  Universalist  Church,  Dec.  i. 

City  A'olunteers.  under  Capt.  John  Arts,  makes  first  appearance, 

Dec.  9. 
John  Taylor's  malt-house  partly  destroyed,  loss  $15,000,  Dec.  10. 
Grace  Episcopah  Church  dedicated  by  Bishop  Wainwright,  Dec.  14. 


6l8  ELI    PRRRY.  No.  48. 

1852-1853. 


The  steamboat  Hendrik  Hudson  frozen  in  while  going  to  New 
York,  Dec.  22. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.  23. 

New  edifice  of  Plrst  Baptist  Society,  Hudson  ave..  Plain  and  Philip 
sts.  first  opened  for  service,  Dec.  26. 

Steamboat  Isaac  Newton,  having  been  sheathed  with  iron,  forces 
her  way  to  Coeymans,  and  liberating  the  Hendrik  Hudson, 
brings  that  steamer  to  this  city,  Dec.  29. 

1853. 


Horatio  Seymour  inaugurated  Governor  of  New  York.  Jan.  i. 

"  Country  Gentleman "  assumed  as  name  of  L.  Tucker's  farm 
journal,  Jan.  1. 

Charter  officials,  Alayor,  William  Parmelee ;  Common  Council: 
John  McEvoy,  Stejjhen  Harris,  I.  Richard  Godley,  Ebenezer 
G.  Chesebro,  H.  John  A.  Sickles,  Gerrit  V.  S.  Bleecker,  HI. 
Charles  Gay,  John  AIcBride  Davidson,  IV.  Visscher  Ten  Eyck, 
Richard  D.  Van  Rensselaer,  V.  George  Dexter,  Henry  Russell, 
V^I.  Thomas  Higgins,  George  Vanderlip,  VII.  Richard 
Stafford,  Patrick  M.  McCall,  VIII.  Thomas  W.  Valentine, 
David  H.  Gary,  IX.  Philip  Frederich,  Theodore  Townsend, 
X.    In  office  on,  Jan.  i. 

Legislature  convenes,  Jan.  4. 

In  row  at  Green  Street  theatre  policeman  stabbed  by  bayonet  in 
hands  of  one  of  a  dozen  who  had  forced  entrance  to  take 
possession   for  Mr.    Preston,  Jan.    11. 

Anna  Maria  Saltus,  wife  of  Lansing  Pruyn,  dies,  Jan.  29. 

L.  R.  Brock  appointed  keeper  of  almshouse,  vice  Halliday,      Jan.  31. 

Evening  Transcript  first  published  by  Cuyler  &  Henly,  the  seventh 
city  paper  at  this  time,  Feb.  i. 

Survivors  of  campaign  of  1812  arrive  from  New  York  and  are 
joined  here  by  thirty-eight  Albany  comrades  who  parade  under 
Col.    Haight,  escorted  by  Republican  Artillery,  Feb.  3, 

Survivors  of  181 2,  one  hundred  in  number,  joined  by  thirty-eight 
of  Albany,  addressed  by  Gov.  Seymour  at  Capitol,  Feb.  4. 

Green  Street  theatre  sold  for  $6,975  under  sheriflr's  hammer, 

Feb.  8. 

Mr.  Forsyth  presents  petition  to  Legislature  for  establishment  of 
a  House  of  Refuge  at  Albany,  Feb.   18. 

Bill  to  consolidate  the  various  railroad  lines  between  Albany  and 
Buffalo  passed  by  Assembly,  March  23. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  March  23. 


No.  48.  ELI    J>KRRV.  619 

1853. 

Last  rail  of  the  Northern  Ivailroad  connecting  Albany  and  Cohoes, 
laid,  March  24. 

Green  Street  theatre  opened  by  Edmund  S.  Connor,  March  28. 

Bank  of  the  Capitol  goes  into  operation,  April   i. 

New  York  Central  Railroad  organized  on  plans  by  Edwin  Dean 
Worcester  of  this  city,  April  2. 

Experimental  trip  on  the  Albany  Northern  Railroad  as  far  as  Cohoes, 

April  0- 

Albany  Northern  Railroad  commences  regular  trips  to  Cohoes, 

April  II. 

Legislature  adjourns,  April  13. 

Aleeting  held  to  organize  Albany   County  Agricultural   Society, 

April   14. 

Mary,  wife  of  Daniel  Boughton,  dies,  April  19. 

Dr.  Lewis  C.  Beck,  aged  55,  chemistry  professor  in  Medical  College 
and  engaged  in  scientific  enterprises,  dies,  April  20. 

Albany  Northern  Railroad  open  to  \\^aterford.  May  7. 

Capt.  John  Bogart,  aged  92,  in  command  of  a  vessel  transporting 
officers  on  the  Hudson  in  1776,  dies,  May  22. 

Prisoners  in  the  jail,  s.  e.  cor.  Eagle  and  Howard  streets,  removed 
to  the  new  lockup  on  north  side  of  Maiden  Lane,  east  of  City 
Hall,  June  2. 

Members  of  Legislature  accept  trip  on  the  Consolidated  Railroad 
to  Niagara  Falls,  June  4. 

Legislative  train  returns  from  Niagara  in  7  hrs.  44  min.,     June  6. 

Last  rail  laid  on  Albany  Northern  Railroad  connecting  at  Eagle 
Bridge  with  the  Vermont  road,  June  29. 

First  locomotive  passes  over  Albany  Northern  from  Eagle  Bridge. 

June  30. 

Boiler  of  steamboat  New  World  explodes,  killing  four,         July  i. 

Directors  of  the  consolidating  railroad  to  Buffalo  elect  first  officers, 
Erastus  Corning,  Pres.,  J.  V.  L.  Pruyn,  Sec.  and  Treas., 

July  7 

New  York  Central  railroad  and  the  Hudson  River  railroad  consoli- 
date under  plan  of  Edwin  Dean  Worcester  of  this  city,    Aug.  i. 

Deaths  by  heat  during  the  week  number  28,  Aug.  13. 

First  passenger  train  on  Northern  Railroad  comes  through  from 
Eagle  Bridge,  Aug.   16. 

Woman  weighing  764  pounds  and  her  daughter,  aged  15  years, 
weighing  340  pounds,  shown  at  Bleecker  Hall,  No.  527  Broad- 
way, Aug.  17. 

Worth  Guards  on  an  excursion  to  Coxsackie  attacked  by  ruffians 
who  had  come  along,  and  villagers  drive  the  boat  away, 

Aug.  22. 


620  ELI    PERRY.  No.  48. 

1853, 1856. 

John  Morgan,  chief  of  poHce  since  organization  of  present  force, 
resigns.  Sept.  4. 

Ground  broken  for  the  Alban}^  &  Susquehanna  railroad,       Sept.  5. 

First  of  tlie  enlarged  Erie  canal  boats  arrives,  with  .3.720  bushels 
of  wheat,  Sept.  10. 

Albany  forwards  $1,535.25  to  New  Orleans  yellow  fever  sufferers, 

Sept.  20. 

Albany  Academy  elects  Rev.  Wm.  A.  Aliller,  D.D.,  its  (5th)  presi- 
dent. 

Edmund  Alarcy.  aged  22,  youngest  son  of  Gov.  W.  L.  Alarcy,  dies 
at  sea  on  Jul\-  5th  and  is  buried  from  father's  house  on  State 
street,  Sept.  29. 

County  Fair  held  on  Troy   Road,   receipts  $2,000,  Oct.  (>. 

Miss  Catherine  Springsteed  award  a  silver  cup  at  County  Fair  here 
for  equestrianism,  Oct.  7. 

Green   Island  village   incorporated,  Oct.    14. 

Rev.  Wm.  Ingraham  Kip  of  St.  Paul's  Church  (  rector  and  author ) 
appointed  missionary  bishop  to  California.  Oct.   22. 

First  train  of  cars  comes  down  from  Rutland  over  the  Albany 
Xortliern  Railroad  Co.'s  line,  Xov.  5. 

William  Parmelee  chosen  the  Mayor  a  third  time  at  the  Charter 
election,  receiving  3,073  votes  as  the  Whig  candidate ;  his  op- 
ponent. Eli  Perry,  receiving  2,692  votes  as  the  Democratic 
candidate;  Chauncey  Pratt  Williams  receiving  1.165  votes; 
William  Eggleston  receiving  6  votes ;  blank  and  scattering,  36 
votes;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  6,972;  Parmelee's  majority 
over  Perry  being  381  votes,  he  is  declared  elected  the  Mayor 
of  Albany,  Nov.  8. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record.  Dec.  it. 

•         *         • 
rSee  No.  45.) 


(Continued  from  No.  56. 
1856. 


Hon.  Eli  Perry  is  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany  a  third  time, 
having  been  chosen  to  succeed  Mayor  William  Parmelee  at 
the  Charter  election  held  on  April  8th,  when  he  received  2,990 
votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate  ;  his  opponent,  John  V.  P. 
Ouackenbush,  receiving  2,172  votes  as  the  Republican  candi- 
date;  A'^isscher   Ten    Evck   receiving    i.ioo   votes;   blank   and 


I 


Xo.  4^.  ELI    1'ERR^■.  621 

1856. 

scattering,  14  votes;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  6,276;  Perry's 
majority  being;  818  votes,  he  was  declared  chosen  the  [Mayor 
of  Albany,  IMay  6. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  Eli  r\?rry ;  Common  Council :  Cornelius 
AlcCloskey,  Michael  Cassidy,  1.  Cieorge  r>.  Johnson,  Thomas 
S.  Knight,  II.  George  A.  H.  Englehart,  John  Hurdis,  HI. 
Erastus  H.  Pease,  Richard  Alerrifield,  I\'.  Richard  \'an  Rens- 
■  selaer,  Joseph  C.  Y.  Paige,  V.  Henry  Russell,  Henry  Lansing, 
VI.  John  Benson,  Thomas  Kearney,  AHI.  Hiram  Gilbert, 
James  Jones,  Ylll.  Henry  J.  Wells,  Henry  Crandall,  IX. 
Andrew  'M.  Bullock,  Robert  Harper,  X.  Election,  April  8 ; 
sworn  in,  ^lay  6. 

The   76th  Regiment  organized  l)y  Col.   Frederick  Townsend. 

Funeral  of  Cyrus  Edson,  killed  with  two  others,  by  explosion  on 
the  15th  at  his  distillery  at  lower  end  of  Pj  road  way,       May  18. 

Corner-stone  of  St.  Joseph's  Church  laid.  June  i. 

Workmen  tear  down  the  old  City  hotel,  June   16. 

The  old  Yates  IMansion  on  Broad  street  sold  to  Thomas  W.  Olcott 
for  use  of  the  principal  of  the  Female  Academy,  $16,000, 

June    iq. 

Albanv   Bridge    Co.    stock   subscribed    for   $500,000   in    few    liom-s. 

June  25. 

The  25th  Regiment  erecting  a  high  tiagstaft  at  Steamboat  S(|uare, 
General  Frisby  raises  the  national  flag  while  a  salute  of  13 
guns   is   fired,  July   2. 

Common  Council  changes  name  of  Patroon  street  to  Clinton  ave., 

J"iy  /• 

John  I.  Boyd,  a  founder  of  St.  Andrew's  Society,  aged  76,  dies, 

July  12. 
Archibald  Campbell,  prominent  citizen,  born  at  Glenlyon,  Scotland, 

in  1779,  and  coming  here  in  1798,  a  founder  of  St.  Andrew's 

Society,  aged  yy  years,  dies,  Ji-^ly  I4- 

One   of   the   earliest   torchlight   i)arades    for   a    political   candidate. 

transparencies   and   Roman    candles,    ratifying   the    nomination 

of  Millard  Fillmore  for  President,  Auu'.   14. 

American   Society   for  the   Advancement   of   Science   meets   in   the 

Capitol,  Aug.  20. 

Total  amount  raised  for  the  Dudley  Observatory,  $98,850,  Aug.  21. 
Robert  ^\.  K.  Strong,  one  of  the  brightest  in  the  legal  profession. 

aged  44  years,  dies,  Aug.  24. 

State  Geological  Flail  opened  by  the  famous  Louis  Agassiz  and  the 

American  Scientific  Association,  Aug.  27. 


622  ELI    PERRY.  No.  48. 

1856. 

Co.  B  of  the  loth  Battalion  joins  State  militia,  attached  to  76th 
Reg-'t,  Aug.  28. 

Imposing-  and  enthusiastic  ceremonies  at  the  dedication  of  the 
Dudley  Observatory,  exercises  held  in  an  immense  canvas  tent 
erected  in  the  Academy  Park,  ex-Governor  Washington  Hunt 
speaking  a  forceful  eulogy  of  the  late  Mayor  Charles  E.  Dud- 
ley, after  whom  it  is  named,  and  then  the  youthful  astronomer, 
Benjamin  Apthorp  Goold  speaks,  followed  by  Prof.  Bache. 
At  this  point  Judge  Harris  reads  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Blandina 
Dudley,  his  widow,  offering  the  additional  sum  of  $50,000, 
which  news  is  received  with  uproarious  applause.  Edward 
Everett  of  Boston  then  delivers  an  oration  in  polished  phrasing, 
and  at  its  close  the  assemblage  calls  for  Mrs.  Dudley,  who  rises 
and  bows,  while  shedding  tears  of  deep  emotion,  overcome  by 
the  compliment,  Aug.  28. 

Albany  Academy  elects  David  Murray,  Ph.D..  its   (6th)  president. 

Albany  Evening  Union  first  published  by  James  Macfarlane, 

Sept.  8. 

Albany  Exchange  Bank  incorporated. 

City  Tract  and  Missionary  Society  incorporated. 

Westerlo  Mansion  on  Pearl   street  sold  at  auction,  $17,000, 

Sept.  18. 

Hudson  River  Bridge  Co.  organizing  elects  Erastus  Corning  presi- 
dent, Sept.   24. 

Fire  destroys  the  Argentina  works  of  Smith  &  Co.,  Kenwood, 
$50,000,  Oct.  2. 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  appoints  James  W.  Green  (3rd)  superin- 
tendent. 

Steamboat  America  sunk  by  collision  with  a  sloop,  Nov.  i. 

Albany  County  Medical  Society  celebrates  semi-centennial,  Dr.  U. 
G.  Bigelow  presiding,  and  Dr.  S.  D.  Willard  reading  a  history, 

Nov.   II. 

Maria  Banyar,  widow  of  Goldsborough  Banyar  and  daughter  of 
John  Jay,  aged  75,  dies  in  New  York  city,  Nov.  21. 

Children's  Friendly  Society  organized,  November. 

Mansion  House  on  west  side  of  Broadway  north  of  State  street, 
sold  at  auction  and  bought  for  $60,000  by  Van  Heusen  & 
Charles,  Nov.   22. 

Two  immense  stones,  weighing  10  tons  each,  arrive  for  the  Dudlej'' 
Observatory  from  Kingston,  Nov.  25. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.   14. 

Samuel  Pruyn  reports  the  Penitentiary  earnings  for  year  as 
$3,178.04,  Dec.   19. 


DUDLEY  OBSERVATORY— OLD. 

Erected  on  a  N.  Albany  hill  given  by  Gen.  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  and  named  in  honor  of 
late  Mayor  Chas.  E.  Dudley.  His  widow  (Blandina,  died  Mch.  6,  1863)  gave  $13,000  on 
Oct.  I,  1851,  and  $50,000  in  1856.  Organized,  T.  W.  Olcott,  Pres't,  May  28,  1852  :  dedi- 
cation ceremony  in  Academy  Park,  Edward  Everett,  Orator,  Aug.  28,  1856  ;  abandoned 
(for  new)  1893  :  burned  May  16,  1904. 


No.  48.  ELI    PERRV.  623 


1857. 


1857. 

John  A.  King-  escorted  from  Congress  Hall  by  Albany  r>urg"esses' 
Corps,  to  the   Capitol,  where  he  is  inaugnrated  Governor, 

Jan.    I. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  for  this  year :  Mayor,  Eli  Perry ; 
Common  Council :  ^Michael  Cassidy,  Owen  Golden,  I.  Thomas 
S.  IMcKnight,  Thomas  B.  Morrow,  II.  John  Hurdis,  Samuel 
W.  Gibbs,  III.  Richard  .Merrifield,  John  D.  Serviss.  IV. 
Joseph  C.  Y.  Paige,  John  Winne,  V.  Henry  Lansing,  James 
B.  Sanders,  VII.  Thomas  Kearney,  John  Benson,  VII.  James 
Jones,  Charles  Snowden,  \TII.  Henry  Crandall,  Richard  Bar- 
hydt,  IX.     Robert  Harper,  Isaac  A'anderpoel,  X.     In  office  on, 

Jan.   I. 

Folsom's  Business  College  established  by  H.  B.  Bryant  and  H.  D, 
Stratton. 

State  Medical  Society  celebrates  semi-centennial  with  banquet  at 
the  Delavan  House,  Feb.  4, 

Clinton  Cassidy  elected  president  of  the  Y.  ^I.  A.,  h>b.  5. 

Water  so  high  that  it  enters  stores  on  west  side  of  Broadway, 

Feb.  9, 

Subscriptions  to  flood  sufferers  here  reach  $5,100,  Feb.    12. 

Convention  of  abolitionists  at  the  Young  Men's  Association  rooms, 
Wm.  H.  Topp.  a  colored  man  presiding,  and  Miss  Susan  B. 
Anthony  speaking  with  great  earnestness,   (she  died  in  1906), 

Feb.  20. 

Capt.  Barnum  Whipple,  who  projected  the  series  of  dykes  and 
sought  to  overcome  the  Overslaugh,  (buried  here),  60  years  a 
resident,  dies  at  Staten  Island,  aged  /y  years,  Feb.  28. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  March  18. 

Y.  M.  C.  A.   (X^o.  124  State  st.)  organized,  ]\Iarch  23 

Henry  H.  A'an  Dyke  appointed  (the  2nd)  State  superintendent  of 
public   instruction,  April   7. 

Albany  Morning  Express  established  by  Stone  &  Henly,        ]\Iay  4. 

Pioneer  Rowing  Club,  the  first  in  the  city,  founded. 

Ex-Gov.  William  L.  Marcy.  for  40  years  a  resident  of  the  citv, 
born  in  Worcester  county,  Mass.,  Dec.  12,  1786,  graduate  of 
Brown  University  in  1808,  studied  law  at  Troy,  served  with 
ability  in  War  of  1812,  appointed  recorder  of  Troy  in  i8i6, 
moved  to  Albany  in  1821,  made  judge  of  supreme  court  in 
1829,  elected  to  U.  S.  Senate  in  1831,  elected  Governor  in  1832, 
and  served  six  vears,  in  1815  made  secretary  of  war  b\-  Presi- 


624  ELI    PERRY.  No.  48. 


1857-1858. 


dent  Polk,  made  secretary  of  state  by  President  Pierce,  dies 
at   Ballston  of  heart  trouble,   aged  71    years,  July  4. 

Ex-Gov.  Wm.  L.  Marcy's  funeral,  27  military  companies,     July  8. 

Albany  &  Vermont  railroad  chartered,  Oct.   17. 

Lyman  Tremain  of  this  city  elected   State   attorney-general, 

Nov.  3. 

John  Keyes  Paige  (ex-mayor)  dies  at  Schenectady,  Dec.  10. 

Beck  Literary   Society  of  Albany  Academy  founded,          Dec.    11. 

River  closes  to  navigation,  Government  record,  Dec.  27. 


1858. 


State  Museum  collection  placed  in  Agricultural  Hall,  s.  w.  corner 
State  and  Lodge  streets. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  March  20. 

Hon.  Eli  Perry  elected  the  Mayor  of  Albany  a  fourth  time,  at  the 
Charter  election,  receiving  4,702  votes  as  the  Democratic  candi- 
date; his  opponent.  Dr.  John  Ouackenbush  receiving  4,601 
votes  as  the  Republican  candidate ;  blank  and  scattering,  26 
votes;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  9,329;  Perry's  majority  over 
Ouackenbush  being  loi  votes,  he  is  declared  elected  the  Mayor 
of  Albany,  April   13. 

State  Armory  site,  s.  w.  cor.  Eagle  and  Hudson  ave.  bought, 

April  17. 
•         •         • 

Hon.  Eli  Perry  is  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  having  been 
chosen  such  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  13th,  when 
his  majority  over  Dr.  John  Quackenbush  was  loi  votes, 

May  4. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  Eli  Perry :  Common  Council :  Owen 
Golden,  James  Schuyler,  L  Thomas  B.  Morrow,  Michael  Dele- 
hanty,  11.  Samuel  W.  Gibbs,  Nehemiah  Osborn,  HL  John  D. 
Serviss,  Philip  Wendell,  IV.  John  Winne,  Albion  Ransom,  V. 
James  B.  Sanders,  James  A.  Wilson,  VL  John  Benson,  Thomas 
Kearney,  VTL  Charles  Snowden,  John  Evers,  VH.  Richard 
Barhydt,  Ichabod  L.  Judson,  IX.  Isaac  Vanderpoel,  Christo- 
pher W.  Bender,  X.    Election,  April  13  ;  sworn  in.  May  4. 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  receiving  vault  erected. 

Knickerbocker  Rowing  Club  founded. 

Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians  organized. 

Atlantic  cable  laying  celebration,  Sept.   i. 

Firemen's  jubilee  for  three  days,  3,000  coming  from  six  other  States, 

Sept.  29. 


RECEIVING    \AULTS. 


RURA.L  CEMETERY  CHAPEL  AND  VAULT. 

The  vaults,  for  convenience  in  winter,  were  constructed  in  1858,  and  tiie 
Chapel,  for  free  use  at  burials,  in  1884.  They  are  conveniently  near  each  other 
on  opposite  sides  of  the  main  driveway. 


No.  48.  FXI    PERKV.  625 

1858-1859. 


Common  Council  minutes  first  printed,  Oct.  6. 

Union  Musical  Ass'n  (  R.  L.  Johnson,  Pres.)  organized,       October. 

Joel  Munsell's  "Annals  of  Albany,"  consisting  of  10  volumes,  be- 
ginning with  "  Notes  from  the  Newspapers  "  at  about  1770,  a 
very  few  notes  at  the  start,  but  a  source  of  much  information 
furnished  thereliy  up  to  Sept.  7,  1847,  ^^  which  time  the 
"annals'"  (or  daily  chronicle)  commence,  and  terminate  at 
'  this  date.  December. 


1859. 


Edwin  D.   Morgan  becomes  Governor,  Jan.    i. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  for  this  year  —  Mayor,  Eli  Perry; 
Common  Council :  James  Schuyler.  Henry  Mix,  I.  Michael 
Delehanty,  Thomas  Schuyler.  II.  Nehemiah  Osborn,  Isaac  N. 
Keeler,  III.  Philip  Wendell,  Horace  L.  Emery,  IV.  Albion 
Ransom,  Charles  B.  Redfield,  V.  James  A.  Wilson,  George 
Thacher,  VI.  Thomas  Kearney,  Thomas  Mattimore,  VII.  John 
Evers,  Martin  White,  VIII.  Ichabod  L.  Judson,  Charles  Bell, 
IX.    Christopher  W.  Bender,  William  P.  Brayton,  X.     In  office, 

Jan.   I. 

River  closed  to  navigation.  Government  record,  Jan.   17. 

Tennis  Van  Vechten  (ex-mayor)  dies,  Feb.  4. 

Piccolomim  at  Association  Hall,  Feb.   14. 

Commerce  Insurance  Company  of  Albany,  capital  $200,000,  (Silas 
B.  Hamilton,  Pres.)   organized. 

River  opens  to  navigation,  Government  record,  March   13. 

Nicholas  Tlill,   fable  lawyer)   dies,  May  i. 

Hiawatha  and  Excelsior  Rowing  Clubs  founded. 

St.  Peter's  church  (2nd  edifice)  demolished  and  work  on  new  one 
commenced,  Richard  J\I.  Upjohn,  architect:  Rev.  Thomas  Clapp 
Pitkin,  rector;  length,  136  ft.;  breadth,  68  ft;  height,  64  ft., 
Gothic ;  corner-stone  laid,  June  29. 

Sacred  Heart  Convent  remvose  to  its  thir  quarters,  from  Hlilhouse 
property  on  Troy  Road,  to  Joel  Rathbone  estate,  Kenwood. 

First  match  rowing  race  at  Albany. 

Tahernacle  Ba]x  Ch.  organized,  Clinton  ave.  and  Ten  Broeck, 

October. 

State  Fair,  the  19th  (Abraham  B.  Conger,  Pres.)  held  at  Albany 
3rd  time. 

School  No.  13  occin.:)ies  .State  Arsenal,  Broadway  and  Lawrence. 

River  closes  to  navigation.  Government  record,  Dec.    10. 


626  ELI    PERRY.  .  No.  48. 

I860, 1862. 

1860. 

Population  of  the  city  62,367. 

Population  of  New  York  State  3.880,735. 

William   Barnes,    Sr.,   appointed   the   first    State    superintendent   of 
insurance,  Jan.   12. 

St.   George's   Benevolent   Society   re-organized,  Jan.   27. 

River  opens  to  navigation.  Government   record,  March  3. 

Kerosene  oil  introduced  in  Albany. 

Time-ball  dropped  on  Capitol  by  Dudley  Observatory. 

George  Hornell  Thacher  elected  the  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the 
Charter  election,  receiving  4,825  votes  as  the  Democratic  candi- 
date ;  his  opponent,  John  Taylor,  receiving  4,090  votes  as  the 
Republican  candidate  ;  Hiram  Perry  receiving  334  votes ;  blank 
and  scattering,  19  votes;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  9,268; 
Thacher's  majority  over  Taylor  being  735  votes,  he  is  declared 
elected  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  April    10, 

'  •         •         • 

(See  No.  50.) 


(Continued  from  No.  50.) 
1862. 


Hon.  Eli  Perry  is  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany  a  fifth  time,  suc- 
ceeding Mayor  John  Taylor,  having  been  elected  at  the  Charter 
election  held  on  April  8,  1862,  when  he  received  5,635  votes 
as  the  Democratic  candidate  ;  his  opponent  George  W.  Luther, 
receiving  3,146  votes  as  the  Republican  candidate;  blank  and 
scattering,  40  votes;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  8,821;  Perry's 
majority  over  Luther  being  2,489  votes  he  was  declared  chosen 
Mayor  of  Albany,  May  6. 

Charter  election.  Mayor,  Eli  Perry ;  Common  Council :  John 
Tracey,  Bernard  Reynolds,  L  Lemuel  M.  Rodgers,  Thomas 
McCarty,  H.  John  W.  Harcourt,  John  Kennedy,  HL  William 
Hastings,  William  Orr,  IV.  Erastus  Corning,  Jr.,  James  L 
Johnson,  V.  Samuel  Anable,  Abraham  A.  Wemple,  VI.  Ed- 
ward Mulcahy,  Terrence  J.  Quinn,  VII.  Michael  A.  Sheehan, 
Thomas  J.  Cowell,  VIII.  John  Phillips,  George  I.  Amsdell, 
IX.  Joseph  T.  Rice,  Edward  Wilson,  X.  Election,  April  8; 
sworn  in.  May  6. 


ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH  — THIRD  EDIFICE. 

The  second  edifice,  built  in  1802  at  N.  W.  cor.  of  State  and  Lodge 

sts.,  was  taken  down,  and  the  cornerstone  of  this  one  laid  on  June  29, 

1859;- Gothic   style;    Richard    M.  Upjohn,  Architect;    first   service 

Sept.  i6th,  and  consecrated  by  Bishop  Horatio  Potter,  Oct.  4,  i86c. 


No.  48.  ELI    PERRY.  627 

1862-  1863. 


National  Commercial  Bank  obviates  calling  extra  Legislative  session 
by  paying-  bounties  amounting  to  $3,500,000.  J^i'y- 

Dr.  Jobn  Swinburne,  appointed  cbief  of  Gen.  Jobn  V.  Ratbbone's- 
medical  staff  at  tlie  beginning  of  tbe  war,  given  full  command 
by  Major-General  McClellan  of  all  surgical  cases  at  Savage 
Station  sick  camp,  near  Ricbmond,  Va.,  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant hospital  stations  throughout  the  war,  June  20. 

Ex-President  Martin  \'an  Buren,  who  had  had  a  law  office  in  this 
city;  born  at  Kinderhook  on  Dec.  5,  1782,  Governor  of  New 
York.  1828-29 ;  Secretary  of  State  under  President  Jackson ;  U. 
S.  Alinister  to  Gt.  Britain,  1831  ;  Vice-President,  1833-1837:  8th 
President,  1837-1841  ;  dies  at  his  home,  Kinderhook,     July  24. 

Steamboat  Alary  Powell   starts  first  trip,  July. 

Departure  of  113th  Reg't,  Col.  Lew  O.  Morris,  for  Washington, 
D.  C,  '  '  Aug.  19. 

Recruiting  offices  kept  open  on  Sunday  because  of  the  stress,  the 
clergy  delivering  stirring   patriotic  addresses  on   State   st., 

Aug.  31. 

Tenth  Regiment's  services  accented,  Se]it.  2. 

St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church  (its  3rd  edifice)  south  side  of  Lan- 
caster,  west   of    Swan   st.,   first   occupied,  Sept.    21. 

State  Street  Presbyterian  Cliurch  (south  side,  west  of  Swan)  dedi- 
cated, Oct.   12. 

Trinity  Place  ordered  so  designated,  Oct.  20, 

Albany  Zouave  Cadets  (Co.  A)  mustered  into  IJ.  S.  service  as  Co. 
A,  177th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  Nov.  21. 

Departure  of  the  loth  Regiment  for  seat  of  war,  crowds  standing 
in  the  streets  and  swarming  in  windows  and  upon  roofs,  women 
crying  and  flags  waving,  which  in  conjunction  with  the  patri- 
otic martial  music  makes  a  stirring  scene,  remembered  by  all 
long  years  after,  Dec.  16. 

River  closes  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.  23. 


1863. 


Horatio   Seymour  becomes  Governor,  Jan.    i. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  for  the  year,  but  not  the  result  of 
election  this  year  —  Mayor,  Eli  Perry  ;  Common  Council :  John 
Tracey,  Bernard  Reynolds,  L  Lemuel  M.  Rodgers,  Thomas 
McCarty,  IL  James  McTntyre,  John  Kennedy,  Jr.,  ITL  Fran- 
cis N.  Sill,  William  Orr,  IV.  Erastus  Corning,  Jr.,  James  L 
Johnson,  V,  John  R.  McCollum,  Charles  E.  Bleecker,  VL 
Edward  Mulcahv,  Terrence   J.  Ouinn,  \'TT.     James  C.  Nolan, 


628  ELI    PERRY.  No.  48. 

1863. 

J.   Cowell,   VIII.     Richard   Barhydt,   George   I.   Amsdell,   IX. 

Edward  Wilson,  William  Gould,  X.     In  office  on,  Jan.   i. 

First  fire  steamer  house,  No.  4,  "  the  McOuade,"  opened. 
Post-office  opened  in  the  Exchange  Building,  Jan.  24. 

Rufus  H.  King  elected  president  of  Albany  Savings  bank,  because 

of  death    (1862)    of  Gerrit  Y.   Lansing. 
Albany  Academy  celebrates  semi-centennial,  March  4. 

Mrs.   Blandina  Dudley,   widow  of  late  Mayor   Charles  E.  Dudley 

and  founder  of  the  Dudley  Observatory,  dies,  March  6. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  April  7. 

Children's  Friend  Society  incorporated,  April  7. 

Resolution  of  Senator  James  A.  Bell  to  erect  new  Capitol, 

April  24. 
Capt.  Wm.  James  Temple,  aged  22,  dies  of  wounds  at  Chancellors- 

ville.  May    i. 

Clinton  avenue  changed  from  Patroon  street,  May  4. 

Board  of  Lumber  Dealers  organized,  Henry  O.  Hawley,  president. 
John  Meads,  prominent  citizen,  aged  60,  dies.  May  11. 

Adjt.  Richard  Marvin  Strong  dies  at  Camp  Bonnet  Carre,  La.,  of 

typhoid.  May   12. 

Recruiting  tents  again  erected  in  the  middle  of  State  street, 

May   12. 
Third  Regiment  returns,  having  left  here  May  16,  1861,  with  780 

strong,  under  Col.  Frederick  Townsend,  only  422  coming  back 

alive.  May  15. 

Gen.  Geo.  B.  McClellan  a  visitor  of  the  city,  j\Iay  23. 

Steamboat  St.  John  of  People's  evening  line,  built  by  John  Englis, 

New  York,  to  run  following  year,  2,645  tons,  420x51  x  10  ft. 
Steamboat  Milton  ]\Iartin  (General  Grant's  dispatch  boat  on  James 

river)   built  at  Jersey  City,  put  on  Newburgh  line. 
Steamboat  Thomas  Cornell  built  by  E.  S.  Whitlock,  1,256  tons,  310 

feet  long,  34  feet  broad,  10  feet  deep,  72  x  144  in.  engine. 
Steamboat   Berkshire  built  by  3\Iorton   &   Edmonds,   253  x  37  x  10 

feet,  54  X  132  in.  engine. 
Strike  of  formidable  proportions,  dock  laborers  and  Central  railroad 

employees  seeking  advance  of  yjYi  cts.,  mob  ruling  city  and 

marching  with   clubs   to  all   workshops,   requiring   services   of 

25th  Reg't,  June   15. 

Horse-cars  start  running  on  Broadway,  June  22. 

Albany  Boys'  Academy  celebrates  semi-centennial,  Orlando  Meads 

the  orator,  at  Tweddle  hall,  June  2.^. 

Watervliet    Turnpike    &    Railroad    Co.    operates    horse-cars    from 

Broadway  and  vS.  Ferry  st.  to  25th  street  in  Watervliet, 

July  4. 


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No.  48.  ELI    PERRY.  629 


1863-1864. 


Fire  engine  operated  by  steam  authorized  by  Common  Council  to 
be  purchased,  July   13. 

Return  of   loth  Rej^inient.  Sept.   i. 

Academy  of  Music   ( 'rriml:)le.  Leland )   opened. 

Albany  Zouave  Cadets   (Co.   A)   mustered  out  of  U.  S.  service, 

Sept.   10. 

Albany    Acadeni}'    elects    James    W'ier    Mason,    .\.   M.,    its    ( 7th ) 
■  principal. 

Formation  of  Albany  Railway  allowed  by  Act  of  Sept.   12. 

John  Taylor  (ex-mayor)  dies,  Sept.   13. 

Joel  Rathbone  dies  at  Paris,  Sept.    13. 

Albany  &  Susquehanna  road  open  to  Central    iiridgc    {  ^•,   miles), 

Sept.  16. 

James  Kidd  elected  first  president  of  x\lbany  Railway.       Sept.  17. 

Albany  Railway  organized,  Sept.  24. 

Albany  railway  contracts  with  James  Brady,  John  and  W.  H. 
Phelan  for  single  tracks  at  $8,500  per  mile  (  failing,  later  to 
N.  H.  Decker  at  $9,500  per  mile),  Oct.   16. 

First  bridge  over  the  Hudson  begun,  Oct,  19. 

Work  begun  on  State  st.  horse  railway,  Nov.  2. 

Steamboat  Isaac  Newton's  boiler  explodes,  Dec.  5. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.   16. 

Pearl  Street  theatre  (Leland)  converted  from  St.  Paul's  Episcopal 
church  into  Academy  of  ]Music  by  John  M.  Trimble  and 
opened,  Dec.  22. 


1864. 


First  grand  opera  given  in  Albany.  "  Lucrezia  Borgia,"       Jan.  4. 

Adam  Blake,  brought  to  New  York  a  slave  by  Jacob  Lansing  and 
sold  to  the  Patroon,  dies.  Jan.    10. 

Ash  Grove  property  sold  by  E.  S.  Stearns  to  Samuel  Schuyler  for 
church  erection,  $24,000,  Jan.   11. 

Rev.  Peter  Bullions,  D.D.,  instructor  in  Albany  Boys"  Academy  and 
noted  writer  of  Latin  text-books,  (b.  Moss  Side,  Perthshire, 
Scotland.  Dec.  1791)   dies  at  Troy,  Feb.   13. 

Albany  Railway  Co.  operates  horse-cars  (12  feet  long,  3  miles  per 
hour)  from  Broadway  and  State  street  to  Central  avenue  and 
Northern  Boulevard,  Feb.  22. 

Army  Relief  Bazaar  opens  in  Academy  Park,  Feb.  22. 

First  horse-cars  of  Albany  railway  begin  running,  Feb.  22. 

Army  Relief  Bazaar  in  Academy  l^ark  reports  receipts  $111,403.49; 


630  ELI    PERRY.  No.  48. 

1864. 

expenses,  $29,584.99;  balance,  $81,908.50,  sent  to  U.  S.  Sani- 
tary Commission. 

Close  of  the  Army  Relief  Bazaar  in  the  Academy  Park,     March  10. 

River  opens  to  navigation,  Government  record,  March  11. 

Steamer  St.  John,.  People's  Line,  starts  running,  March  17. 

Rev.  John  N.  Campbell  dies,  March  2,'j. 

First  fire  steamer  arrives,  March  31. 

Brig.-Gen.  Lewis  Benedict  (b.  Albany,  Sept.  2,  181 7)  killed  at 
battle  of  Pleasant  Hill,  April  9. 

Hon.  Eli  Perry  chosen  the  Mayor  of  Albanv  at  the  Charter  election, 
receiving  5,375  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  his  oppo- 
nent. Gen.  John  Finlay  Rathbone,  receiving  3,462  votes  as  the 
Republican  candidate ;  blank  and  scattering,  42  votes ;  total 
number  of  votes  cast,  8,879;  Perry's  majority  over  Rathbone 
being  1,913  votes,  he  is  declared  elected  the  Mayor,     April  12. 

Senator  Laimbeer  introduces  a  bill  providing  for  a  new  Capitol, 
appropriating  $100,000  as  preliminary.  April   13. 

Strike  at  Joel  Munsell's  printery  because  of  the  introduction  of  two 
girls  to  work,  through  the  lack  of  printers  because  of  the  war, 

April  21. 

Beaverwyck  Steam  Fire  Engine  Company  organized,         April   25. 

Military  funeral  of  Col.  Lewis  Benedict,  a  hero  of  the  war.     May  2. 

•         •         • 

Hon.  Eli  Perry  sworn  a  sixth  time  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  having 
been  chosen  such  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  12th, 
when  he  received  a  majority  of  1,913  votes  over  Gen.  John  F. 
Rathbone,  his  Republican  opponent,  ]\Iay  3. 

Charter  election.  Mayor,  Eli  Perry ;  Common  Council :  Bernard 
Reynolds,  John  Tracey,  L  Thomas  jNIcCarty,  Lemuel  M. 
Rodgers,  H.  John  Kennedy,  James  Mclntyre,  HL  LeGrand 
Bancroft,  Francis  N.  Sill,  W .  James  T.  Johnson,  Erastus  Corn- 
i"§'>  Ji'-)  V.  Lemon  Thomson.  John  R.  McCollum,  VL  Bar- 
tholomew Judge,  Edward  Mulcahy,  VH.  Edward  J.  Kearney, 
James  Nolan,  VHL  George  L  Amsdell,  Richard  Barhydt,  IX. 
Edmund  L.  Judson,  ^^'illiam  Gould,  X.  Election,  April  12; 
sworn  in.  May  3. 

Ground  broken  for  a  horse  railroad  on  Pearl  street  to  run  to  Ken- 
wood, May  9. 

Nationals    (baseball)    club    (Captain   Edward  A.   Ross)    organized, 

May. 

Colonel  Lewis  Owen  Morris  (b.  Albany,  Aug.  14,  1824,)  killed  at 
Battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  June  3. 

Albanv  Zouave  Cadets  furnish  75  commissioned  officers  to  Civil 
War. 


No.  48-  ELI    PERRY.  631 

1864-  1865. 


Major  Charles  E.  Prnyn  killed  near  Petersburg,  June  15. 

Co.  B,  of  Tenth  battalion,  furnishes  Civil  War  forces  with  60 
officers. 

Steamboat  Chauncey  A'ibbard  of  Hudson  River  line,  built  by  Law- 
rence &  Sneden  of  New  York,  1,158- tons,_  281x35x9  feet, 
62  X  144  in.  engine,   in  commission,  June. 

Steamboat  Dean  Richmond  of  People's  line,  built  by  John  Englis 
of  New  York,  2,525  tons,  348  x  46  x  10  feet,  75  x  168  in.  engine. 

Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  one  of  the  most  prominent  lawyers  of  the 
State,  (b.  Minavdle,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  29,  1788)  dies  at  his  resi- 
dence, s.  e.  cor.  Pearl  and  Maiden  Lane,  July  H- 

Bounties  paid  by  county  $1,074,217.28,  Dec.  4,  1863,  to  July  18, 
1864. 

Bishop  McCloskey  leaves  for  N.  Y.  city,  July  2^. 

Ash  Grove  (M.  E.)   Church  corner-stone  laid,  August. 

Normal  school  elects  Oliver  C.  Arey  its  (5th)  principal  (succeeding 
D.  H.  Cochrane  of  1856). 

Return  of  44th  Regiment,  Sept.  28. 

Hay  crop  of  Albany  county  74,133  tons. 

Board  of  Trade   (est.   1847)    No.  40  State  st.,  incorporated. 

St.  Peter's  Church  Orphans'  Home  organized. 

Steamboat  Francis  Skiddy  wrecked  on  rock  off  Staats  dock, 

Nov.  25. 

River  closes   to  navigation,   Government   record,  Dec.    12. 

Sleighs  substituted  for  street  cars  because  of  heavy  snow,     Dec.  2^. 

New  bell  raised  in  Middle  Dutch  church,  3,230  lbs.,  Dec.  24. 


1865. 


Population  of  the  city  62,613. 

Reuben  E.  Fenton  becomes  Governor,  Jan.   i. 

Chief  James  McQuade  reports  to  Common  Council  that  steam- 
operated  fire-engines  must  in  time  supersede  those  operated 
by  hand,  and  that  horses  should  draw  them  and  not  gangs  of 
men,  January. 

Rev.  Dr.  W.  B.  Sprague  officiates  at  funeral  of  Edward  Everett 
at  Boston,  Jan.  18. 

Rev.  Mr.  Ludlow  succeeds  Rev.  Dr.  John  N.  Campbell  at  Eirst 
Presbyterian  church.  Jan.  ig. 

Dr.  Mason  Cogswell's  funeral,  Jan.  24. 

Washington  Ave.   Baptist  Churcli  changes  to  Calvarv.  Eeb.  4. 

Lt.-Col.  Fred  L.  Tremainc  killed  in  cavalrv  fight  at  Hatcher's  Run, 

Feb.  8. 


6^2  ELI    PERRY,  No.  48. 


1865. 


Fire  engineers  of  each  steamer  company  to  be  paid  $75  per  month, 

Feb.  19. 

Mayor  otters  State  Congress  Hall  site,  value  S125.555,  for  Capitol, 

Feb.  2^. 

River  opens  to  navigation,   Government  record,  March   17. 

Negroes  admitted  to  Y.  M.  A.,  April  8. 

Charter  election  at  which  the  second  named  alderman  in  each  ward 
was  elected  this  day,  but  not  the  others  or  the  mayor  —  Mayor, 
Eli  Perry ;  Common  Council :  Bernard  Reynolds,  Timothy  Sul- 
livan, I.  Thomas  McCarty,  Thomas  ^Nlulhall,  II.  John  Ken- 
nedy, Jr.,  John  C.  Ward,  III.  Le  Grand  Bancroft,  H.  D.  Bur- 
linghame,  IV.  James  I.  Johnson,  John  N.  Parker,  V.  Lemon 
Thomson,  William  Dalton,  \I.  Bartholomew  Judge,  Andrew 
Kean,  VII.  Edward  J.  Kearney,  Charles  T.  Shepard,  VIII. 
George  I.  Amsdell,  Richard  Barhydt,  IX.  Edmund  L.  Judson, 
John  B.  Sturtevant,  X.     Election.  April  ii. 

President  Lincoln's  body  here  in  state  in  old  Capitol,  April  26. 

N^ew  Capitol  building  authorized  by  Act  of  May  i. 

Major  George  S.  Dawson  (  b.  Rochester,  Xov.  7,  1838)  dies  from 
wounds  received  before  Petersburg,  June  6. 

Return  of  91st  Regiment,  June  15. 

Western  ave.  changed  from  Gt.  Western  turnpike,  June  2y. 

Return  of  42nd  Regiment,  July  i. 

Ash  Grove  (M.  E. )  Church,  $100,000,  dedicated,  July  6. 

Steamer  Dean  Richmond,  People's  Line,  starts  running,       July  20. 

Albany  Railway  Co.  operates  horse-cars  on  Xorth  and  South  Pearl 
street  and  on  Bethlehem  turnpike  from  A"an  Woert  street  to 
Kenwood. 

Central  avenue  paved. 

Mutual  Boat  Club  organized,  Aug.  i. 

Henry  G.  Wheaton  (able  lawyer)  killed  by  a  train,  Aug.  26. 

Hops  extensively  produced  in  the  county,  46,585  lbs. 

Co.  A  of  Tenth  regiment  makes  excursion  to  Rochester,       Sept.  5. 

Fourth  Presbyterian  Church  corner-stone  laid,  Sept.  12. 

Return  of  81  st  Regiment,  ,  Sept.   14. 

Albany  Evening  Times  first  issued  as  evening  paper,  Sept.  25. 

Evening  Pest,  N^o.  7  Hudson  ave.,  R.  M.  Grififin,  editor,  established, 

Oct.  23. 

Fire  steamers  in  use  at  this  period,  the  James  ]\IcQuade,  the  Putnam 
and  the  Thomas  Kearney. 

Albany  county  war  expense,  gross  $4,485,276.45,  reported,    Nov.  28. 

Steamboat  vSt.  John's  boiler  explodes,  killing  15,  Nov.  29. 

River  closes  to  navigation,  Government  record,  Dec.   12. 


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No.  48.  ELI    PERRY.  633 

1866. 

1866. 

Ladies'  Army  Relief  Association  that  had  a  large  "  Bazaar "  in 
Academy  Park,  reports  having  raised  $19,712.30.  Jan.  1. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  created  bv  Chapter  444.  Laws  of 
1866. 

Board  of  Public  Listruction  elects  John  O.  Cole  its  first  president. 

Board  of  Public  Listruction  appoints  Henry  B.  Haswell  the  first 
superintendent   of  schools. 

Prof.  James  Llall  made  director  of  N.  Y.  State  Museum. 

Dr.  Eliphalet  Nott,  some  time  an  Albany  pastor,  (b.  Ash  ford, 
Conn.,  June  25,  1773)  president  of  L^nion  College,  1804-1866, 
dies   at   Schenectady,  Jan.   29. 

Caecilia  Singing  Society  (John  Waas,  Pres.)  organized,        Feb.  3. 

"Copper"  ( Lumber  street  or  Livingston  ave.)  bridge,  21  piers,  1,953 
ft.,  a  total  of  4,253  ft.,  opened,  Feb.  22. 

River  opens  to  navigation,  Government  record  March  20. 

George  Hornell  Thacher  elected  the  Mayor  of  Albany  a  second 
time,  being  chosen  at  the  Charter  election  when  he  receives 
5,600  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate  ;  his  opponent,  Robert 
Hewson  Pruyn,  receiving  4,867  votes  as  the  Republican  candi- 
date;  blank  and  scattering,  18  votes;  total  number  of  votes 
cast,  10,485  ;  Thacher's  majority  over  Pruyn  being  733  votes, 
he  is  declared  elected  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  April  10. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  50.) 


No.  49. 

QIIjarbB  Mat00n  ^n&arii. 


April  28,  1856  —  May  5,  1856 


No.  49. 
CHARLES  WATSON  GODARD. 

Date  of  oificc:     April  28,  1856-May  5,  1856. 

Date  of  election:     Appointed  by  Common  Council  to  fill  vacancy. 

Political  party:     Republican. 

Vote:     Unanimous. 

Oppo)ieiit:     None. 

J'^ote:     None. 

Date  of  birth:     July  23,  1817. 

Place  of  birth:     Granby,  Conn. 

Parents:     Drayton  (G.)  and  Achsah  U.  Gaines. 

Education:     School  at  Sauquoit,  N.  Y. 

Married  to:     Lydia  Lorraine  Wilson. 

Date:     Canastota.  N.  Y.,  March  17.  1841. 

Children:  (4)  Helen  (Powell),  Clara,  Lillie  (Rietz),  Josephine 
( Crosman) . 

Residence:     No.  79  Hawk  street. 

Occupation:     Agent  for  lake  boats,  98  Pier. 

Religion:     Baptist. 

Date  of  death:     February  19,  1883. 

Place  of  death:     Brooklyn. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Captain. 

Remarks:  Appointed  by  Common  Council,  on  the  death  of  Mayor 
Parmelee.  Captain  of  the  Port  of  New  York,  Governor  Fen- 
ton's  administration.  First  Vice-President  of  the  Union 
League  of  America.  Prominent  lecturer  and  philanthropist. 
Warm  friend  of  Garfield,  Blaine,  Greeley,  Fenton  and  Thur- 
low  Weed. 


49.     CHARLES  WATSON  GODARD. 
1856. 
From    .-,    photograpli    made    from    life   l)y    B.    Grey,    Bloomington,    111.,    and 
owned  in  1904  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Josephine  G.  Crosman,  Rochester. 


No.  49.  CHARLES   WATSON   GODARD.  637 

1856. 

(Continued   from  No.  45.) 
1856. 


Mayor  William  Parmelee's  funeral  attended  by  a  vast  concourse  of 
sorrowing-  friends,  members  of  the  bar,  political  officers  and 
those  who  had  been  connected  with  him  by  those  institutions 
with  which  he  had  been  associated,  despite  a  blinding  snow- 
storm, March  19. 

Tannery  on  lower  Broadway  destroyed  by  fire,  loss  $16,000, 

March  20. 

Albany  Morning  Express  discontinued,  March  22. 

Albany  Daily   Statesman,  advocate  of  "American  "   party,  started, 

March  24. 

Gorham  A.  Worth,  former  cashier  of  Mechanics  &  Farmers'  Bank 
and  author  of  '*  Random  Recollections  of  Albany,"  aged  y2> 
years,  dies  in  New  York  city,  April  3. 

Ice  moves  from  before  city  front,  April  4. 

At  the  Charter  election,  held  to  fill  the  office  of  Mayor,  William 
Parmelee  having-  died  on  March  15th,  the  count  showed  Dr. 
John  Y.  P.  Quackenbush  had  20  votes  more  than  Eli  Perry, 
but  notice  of  contest  given,  April  8. 

Hudson  River  Bridge  Co.  incorporated,  April  9. 

Legislature  adjourns,  April  9. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  April  10. 

Wadsworth  Lodge,  No.  417,  instituted. 

Joseph  Fr}%  prominently  known  as  the  publisher  and  collaborator 
of  the  first  Albany  City  Directory  (1813),  born  at  East  Green- 
wich, R.  L,  in  1774,  and  came  to  this  city  in  1796,  where  two 
years  later  he  joined  with  Solomon  South  wick  in  publishing 
the  Albany  Chronicle ;  but  gaining  most  of  his  competence  from 
tobacco  business,  dies,  April  ii. 

Recent  charter  election  declared  fraudulent,  and  an  indignation 
meeting  is  held  in  the  "  Old  "  Capitol,  followed  in  the  evening 
by  a  meeting  of  the  Common  Council  at  which  the  returns  of 
the  7th  and  8th  wards  are  asserted  to  be  fraudulent,  and  the 
Board  votes  11  to  9  that  Eli  Perry  is  elected  mayor,    April  14. 

Normal  school  elects  David  H.  Cochrane  its  (4th)  principal,  suc- 
ceedinsT  S.  B.  Woolworth. 


638  CHARLES    WATSON    GODARD.  No.  49. 

1856. 


Albany  Evening  Times  (Dem.)  founded  by  Stone  &  Co.,  April  21. 

Common  Council  elects  Charles  Watson  Godard  Mayor  of  Albany 
to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  the  late  William  Parmelee, 

April  28. 

Common    Council    (newly   elected   board)    elects   Dr.    John   V.    P. 

Quackenbush   to  be   Mayor;  but   as  the   previous   Board   had 

chosen    Eli   Perry,   the   city  was   in    a   quandary   with   its   two 

mayors,  May  6. 

•         •         • 

fSee  No.  48.) 


No.  50. 

(Btcr^t  ?|inntrU  ®l)arl|^r. 


May  1,  I860  —  May  5,  1862. 

May  1,  1866  —  May  5.  1868. 

*  *  ^ 

May  6,  1870  —  May  6,  1872. 
May  7.  1872— Jan.  28,  1874. 


No.  50. 
GEORGE  HORNELL  THACHER. 

Date  of  oMce:     (a)   May  i,  1860-May  5,  1862. 

(b)  May  i,  1866-May  5,  1868. 

(c)  May  6,  1870-May  6,  1872. 

(d)  May  7,   1872-January  28,   1874.   ( resigned j 
Date  of  election:     (a)   April  10,  i860. 

(b)  April  10,  1866. 

(c)  April  12,  1870. 

(d)  April  9,  1872. 
Political  party:     Democrat. 
Vote:     (a)   4,825. 

(b)  5,600. 

(c)  7,221. 

(d)  6,588. 
Opponent:     (a)   John  Taylor,   (aa)   Hiram  Perry. 

(b)  Robert  H.  Pruyn. 

(c)  Edmund  L.  Judson,  (cc)  John  Fair. 

(d)  Edmund  L.  Judson,  (dd)  John  McCarty. 
Political  party:  (a)   Republican. 

(b)  Republican. 

(c)  Republican. 

(d)  Republican. 
Vote:     (a)   4,090,  (aa)  334,  blank  and  scattering  19. 

(b)   4,867,  blank  and  scattering  18. 

(c).  5.983.  (cc)  489- 
(d)   6,387,  (dd)  2,157. 
Total  vote:     (a)  9,268. 

(b)  10,485. 

(c)  13,693. 

(d)  15.132- 
Date  of  birth:     June  4,  1818. 
Place  of  birth:     Hornellsville,  N.  Y. 
Parents:     Samuel  Olney  (T.)  and  Martha  Hornell. 
Education:    Academic;  Union,  '43. 
Married  to:    Ursula  Jane  Boyd. 
Date:     Schenectady,  June  15,  1843. 
Children:     John  Boyd  (Mayor,  1886),  George  Hornell. 
Residence:     No.  729  Broadway. 
Occupation:     Car-wheel  manufacturer. 
Religion:     Presbyterian. 
Date  of  death:     February  5,  1887. 
Place  of  death:     St.  Augustine,  Fla. 
Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 
Title:     Honorable. 
Remarks:     Came  to  Albany  in  1849.    Alderman,  1859.     School  No. 

14  completed,  1861.  Work  begun  on  New  York  Central 
Maiden  Lane  bridge,  May,  1870;  opened  1872;  22  piers; 
length,  2,665  feet.  School  No.  15  completed,  1871.  School 
No.  II  completed,  1873. 


^ 


M<mm    ^C-^fi^ 


50.     GEORGE  HORNELL  THACHER. 
1860-62;  1866-68;  1870-74. 
From  a  photograph  made  from  life  by  J.  N.  McDonnald,  and  owned  in  1904 
by  his  son.  Hon.  John  Boyd  Thacher. 


>s[o.  50.  GEORGE    HORNELL   THACllKK.  64I 


1860. 


(Continued  from  No.  48.) 
1860. 


George  Hornell  Tliacher  is  sworn  in  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  having 
been  elected  at  a  charter  election  held  April  loth,  when  he  re- 
ceived 4.825  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate,  his  opponent, 
■  John  Taylor,  receiving  4,090  votes  as  the  Republican  candi- 
date ;  Hiram  Perry  receiving  334  votes ;  blank  and  scattering, 
19  votes ;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  9,268 ;  Thacher's  major- 
ity over  Taylor  being  735  votes.  May  i. 

St.  Joseph's  Roman  Catholic  Church  consecrated.  May  13. 

Weather  observ^ations  started  methodically  by  Prof.  Geo.  W.  Hough 
at  the  Dudley  Observatory.  13  years  previous  to  establishment 
of  the  Government  \veather  bureau  at  this  city,  May. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  George  H.  Thacher ;  Common  Council : 
Henry  Mix,  Owen  Golden,  I.  Thomas  Schuyler,  Michael  Dele- 
hanty,  H.  Isaac  N.  Keeler.  John  C.  Feltman,  HI.  Horace  L. 
Emery,  Philip  Wendell.  IV.  Charles  B.  Redfield,  James  I. 
Johnson,  V.  Henry  A.  Allen,  Alanson  A.  Sumner,  VI.  Thomas 
Mattimore,  Terrence  J.  Quinn,  VII.  Martin  White,  John 
Evers,  VIII.  Charles  Bell  William  J.  Humphrey.  IX.  Wil- 
liam B.  Brayton,  George  W.  Luther,  X.  Election,  April  i ; 
sworn  in,  May   i. 

Steamboat  Daniel  Drew  (which  was  to  run  for  next  20  years  as  a 
day  boat  between  New  York  and  Albany)  built  by  Thos.  Coll- 
yer,  880  tons,  251  feet  long,  30  feet  broad,  g}^  feet  deep, 
60  X  120  in.  engine. 

Tenth  Regiment,  Col.  Ira  W.  Ains worth,  organized. 

Co.  A.  Tenth  battalion,  organized  as  Albany  Zouave  Cadets 

June   7. 

Albany  &  W^-mont  railroad  leased  to  Rensselaer  &  Saratoga  road, 

June   12. 

National  Commercial  bank  elects  Ezra  Parmelee  Prentice  (fourth) 
president,  because  of  death  of  J.  L.  Schoolcraft,  June   13. 

Schreiber's  Albany  Cornet  band  organized. 

Tweddle  Hall,  site  of  Philip  Livingston's  house,  opened,     June  29. 

Congress  street  changed   from  Spring  street,  Aug.  6. 

St.  Peter's  Church   (3rd)   building  consecrated,  Oct.  4. 

Lord  Howe's  remains  (believed  to  be)  placed  in  foundation  of  St. 
Peter's  church  vestibule. 

Prince  of  Wales  (later  King  Edward  VII.)  visits  Albany,     Oct.  16. 

River  closes  to  navigation    (official  record),  Dec.   14. 


642  GEORGE    HORNELL  THACHER.  No.  50. 

1860-1861. 

Jephthah  Lodge,  No.  13,  F.  &  A.  M.,  constituted,  Dec.  26. 

Co.  B,  of  Tenth  battalion,  assigned  from  76th  to  29th  Reg't, 

Dec.  26. 

Albany  Zouave  Cadets  (Co.  A)  joins  the  National  Guard  and  loth 

Regt.,  Dec.  29. 


1861. 


United  Presbyterian  Church.  Lancaster  near  Eagle  street,  occupied, 

January. 
Albany  was  made  notable  throughout  the  country  when,  during  the 
State  Anti-Slavery  Convention  (Feb.  4  and  5,  1861)  the  right 
of  free  speech  was  here  first  vindicated.  Frederick  Douglass, 
Lucretia  Mott,  Gerrit  Smith  and  other  Abolitionists,  after  fail- 
ing in  securing  a  hearing  in  Buffalo  and  several  other  cities, 
decided  to  come  here.  At  this  time  a  petition  was  presented 
to  the  Mayor  requesting  him  to  use  his  authority  to  suppress 
free  speech  and  prevent  the  meeting  of  the  Abolitionists.  The 
answer  of  the  Mayor  was  a  noble  one,  and  closed  as  follows : 
"  Let  at  least  the  Capital  of  the  Empire  State  be  kept  free 
from  the  disgraceful  proceedings  which,  in  other  localities,  have 
brought  dishonor  upon  our  institutions.  At  all  events,  come 
what  may,  mob  law  shall  never  prevail  in  our  good  city  with 
my  consent  and  connivance,  George  H.  Thacher,  Mayor."  The 
meeting  was  held  in  the  Young  Men's  Association  Hall,  and  a 
riot  ensued ;  but  Mayor  Thacher,  with  the  police,  drove  out 
the  toughs  who  had  instigated  it,  and  a  full  and  peaceful  hearing 
was  obtained, — the  first  in  New  York  State,  Feb.  4. 

Grace  (Epis.)  church  institutes  first  boy  choir  in  city. 
Third  Precinct  police  station  uses  dwelling,  No.  799  Broadway. 
Freshet  carries  away  three  bridges  leading  to  pier,  Feb.  13 

President  Lincoln  welcomed  as  guest,  Feb.   18 

Albany  Evening  Times  united  with  Courier,  March  i 

Burgesses  corps  acts  as  escort  at  inaugural  of  Lincoln,       March  4 
River  open   to  navigation    (official   record),  March   5 

Emerson  W.  Keyes  appointed  State  superintendent  of  public  in- 
struction, April  9. 
Charter  officials  holding  office  for  one  year  from  this  date  (the 
second  named  alderman  of  each  ward  being  elected  on  this 
date)  the  mayor  holding  office  at  this  time  being  Eli  Perry; 
Common  Council :  Owen  Golden,  John  Tracey,  L  Michael 
Delehanty,  Lemuel  M.  Rogers,  IL  John  C.  Feltman,  John  W. 
Harcourt,  IIL     Philip  Wendell,  William  Hastings,  IV.     James 


ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH  — INTERIOR. 

This  is  the  interior  of  the  3rd  edifice  as  originally  constructed  ; 
length,  136  ft.;  breadth,  68  ft.;  height,  64  ft.;  Rev.  Thos.  C.  Pitkin, 
rector;  first  service  herein,  Sept.  i6th  and  consecrated  Oct.  4,  i860. 


No.  50.  GEORGE    HORXELL   TilACUER.  643 


1861. 


I.  Johnson,  Erastus  Corning-.  Jr..  V.  Alanson  A.  Sumner, 
Samuel  Anable.  VI.  Terrence  J.  Ouinn,  Edward  Mulcahy, 
VII.  John  Ev«rs,  Patrick  M-.  McCall,  VIII.  WilHam  J. 
Humphrey,  John  PhilHps,  IX.  George  W.  Luther,  Joseph  T. 
Rice,  X.     Election  of  April  9. 

Departure  of  25th  Regt.  for  Washington,  April  22. 

Firemen    engaging   in   military   duty   granted    full   pay   during  ab- 
sence, April  23. 

Bank  of  Albany  fails  through  unsettled  state  of  the  country  and 
stagnation  of  business,  surprising  everyone,  ^lay  11. 

Burgesses  corps  leave  for  seats  of  war  on  first  call. 

P^ailures  of  Bank  of  the  Capital,   Bank  of  Interior,  and   National 
Bank,  '  May. 

Col.  Ephraim  Elmer  Ellsworth  ( b.  Alechanicville,  N.  Y..  April  23, 
1837.  and  well-known  as  a  young  man  of  spirit  at  Albany) 
having  been  to  Chicago  as  a  patent  solicitor,  he  accompanied 
Lincoln  to  Washington  in  March,  and  imbued  with  his  patrio- 
tism, organized  in  April  a  company  of  firemen  which  he  styled 
Zouaves  (known  as  the  nth  New  York  Regiment),  and  de- 
parting wath  these  for  the  scene  of  conflict  he  was  among  the 
first  to  participate  in  the  struggle  for  emancipation.  On  May 
24,  1861,  at  Alexandria.  \'a.,  seeing  a  Confederate  flag  flying 
from  the  roof  of  the  Marshall  House,  he  ascended  to  remove  it, 
and  while  coming  down  the  stairs  with  it  in  his  arms  was  shot 
in  the  left  breast  (as  to  be  seen  in  his  long-  army  coat  preserved 
in  the  Bureau  of  Army  Relics  in  the  Capitol,  1906)  by  the 
proprietor,  James  T.  Jackson,  and  died.  His  body  was  sent 
on  for  burial  at  his  native  town,  and  reached  Albany  on  the 
steamboat  Francis  Skiddy  at  4:30  a.  m.,  accompanied  by  the 
delegation  of  firemen  that  had  been  sent  from  this  city  to  escort 
the  remains  here.  At  the  wharf  it  is  met  by  a  military  pro- 
cession numbering  2,000  soldiers  under  Ma j -Gen.  John  Tayler 
Cooper,  who  escort  the  casket  to  the  (old)  Capitol  at  the  head 
of  State  St.,  where  it  remains  until  9  o'clock.  The  procession 
then  reforms,  the  body  is  escorted  through  the  streets  with 
funeral  dirges  playing,  is  placed  aboard  the  Troy  boat,  and 
from  that  city  taken  to  Mechanicville  for  burial,  May  27. 

Steamboat    Mary    Powell    of    the    New    York    &    Newburgh    line 
(yearly  plying  to  Albany)    built  by   ^I.   S.   Allison,  983  tons, 
260X34X  10  feet,  'J2y.  144  in.  engine,  manv  years  the  record 
boat  of  the  river. 
Co.  D  organized  as  Co.  D  of  loth  Regiment,  Jnly  2. 

Steamboat  James  W.   Baldwin  built  by   M.    S.   Allison,   710  tons, 
242  X  34  X  9  feet,  60  X  132  in.  engine. 


644  GEORGE   HORNELL  THACHER.  No.  50. 


1861- 1862,  1866. 


Henry  H.  Van  Dyke  appointed  State  superintendent  of  banks, 

Aug.  16. 
School  No.  14  completed. 

Robert  Hcwson  Pruyn  appointed  U.  S.  Minister  to  Japan  by  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  September. 
De  Witt  Clinton  Council  No.  22,  R.  &  S.  M.,  instituted. 
Ladies'  Army  Relief  Association  organized,  November. 
Albany  City  Curling  club  incorporated. 
River  closes  to  navigation   (official  record),  Dec.  28. 


1862. 


First  fire-engine  bought  was  the  McQuade. 

Internal  Revenue  office  established  at  Albany. 

Burgesses  corps  move   to   Bleecker   hall    (No.   527   Broadway)    as 

armory. 
Recording  barometer   (first  in  the  world)    invented  by  Prof.  Geo. 

Washington  Hough,  director  of  Dudley  Observatory. 
River  open  to  navigation   (official  record),  April  3. 

Anshe  Emeth    (Hebrew)    Cemetery  opened. 
Eli  Perry  elected  the  48th  Mayor  of  Albany  at  a  Charter  election, 

receiving  5,635  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  George  W. 

Luther    receiving    3,146    votes    as    the    Republican    candidate; 

blank   and    scattering,   40  votes ;   total   number   of   votes   cast. 

8,821  ;  Perry's  majority  over  Luther  being  2,489  votes  he  is 

declared  elected,  April  8. 

Hudson  River  Day  Line  established. 
Enlargement  of  the  Erie  canal  completed. 

Watervliet  Turnpike  &  Railroad  Co.  chartered,  April  15. 

•         •         • 
(See  No.  48.) 


(Continued  from  No.  48.) 
1866. 


George  Hornell  Thacher  sworn  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  having  been 
elected  at  a  Charter  election  held  on  April  loth.  at  which  he 
received  5,600  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  his  oppo- 
nent. Robert  Hewson  Pruyn  receiving  4.867  votes  as  the  Re- 
publican   candidate;    blank    and    scattering,     18    votes;    total 


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No.  50.  GEORGE   HORNELL  THACHER.  645 


1866-1867. 


number  of  votes  cast,  10,485  ;  Thacher's  majority  over  Pruyn 
being  733  votes.  May   i. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  George  Hornell  Thacher;  Common 
Council:  Timothy  Sullivan,  ]\Iichael  Murphy,  I.  Thomas 
Mulhall,  Thomas  Farrell.  II.  John  C.  Ward,  William  H.  Tay- 
lor, III.  H.  D.  Burlingame.  William  M.  Gregory,  IV. 
John  N.  Parker,  Peter  Carmichael,  Y.  William  Dalton,  Lemon 
Thomson,  VI.  Andrew  Kean,  Bartholomew  Judge,  Yll. 
Charles  T.  Shepard,  James  D.  Walsh,  VIII.  Richard  Barhydt, 
Borden  H.  Mills,  IX.  John  B.  Sturtevant,  Edmund  L.  Judson, 
X.     Election,  April  10;  sworn  in.  May  i. 

Merchants'  Union  Express   Co.  organized  by  Albanians. 

Steamboat   Drew   of   People's   line  built  by   John    Englis   of   New- 
York,  2,902  tons,  336X.47X  10  feet,  Sox  168  in.  engine. 

Anti-rent  war  necessitates  militia  in  Knox,  Ji-^ly- 

Mutual  Boat  Club  wins  from  the  Atalantas  of  New  York  city,  at 
Albany,  July  12. 

Anti-rent  troubles,  loth  Regt.  called  out,  July  18. 

Dean  Richmond  dies,  Aug.  27. 

Bnrgesses  corps  banquet  President  Andrew  Johnson  at  Congress 
Hall,  Aug.  30. 

Horse-cars  first  run  on  No.  Pearl  street,  Sept.   17. 

Fourth   Presbyterian  Church   (w.  side  Broadway)   dedicated, 

Sept.    18. 

Mastodon  found  in  a  pot-hole  by  excavators  at  Harmony  Mill. 
Cohoes,  September. 

Albany  Railway  elects  Abraham  Van  Vechten   (first)   president, 

Oct.  II. 

Vx^heat  selling  at  $3.45  per  bu.,  Nov.  i. 

River  closed  to  navigation    (official   record),  Dec.   iS- 


1867. 


First  Police  Precinct  occupied  rented  dwelling  on  Arch  street  until 

Jan.   I. 
First  Police  Precinct  station  No.  59  So.  Ferry  street,  purchased  by 

city. 
Gen.  Geo.  W.  Cole  shoots  fatally  H.  L.  Hiscox,  of  Syracuse  (mem- 
ber of  Constitutional  Convention)  in  corridor  of  Stanwix  Hall, 
for  alienation,  Jan.  4. 

Dr.  Howard  Townsend   (school  commissioner),  age  43,  dies, 

Jan.    16. 


646  GEORGE    HORNELL   THACHER.  No.  50. 

1867. 

Rev,  William  Croswell  Doane,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  accepts  rector- 
ship of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Jan.  23. 

Lew  Benedict  Post,  No.  5,  G.  A.  R.,  (Morgan  L.  Filkins,  Com.), 
formed,  Jan.  30. 

Jackson  Association   (Dem.  clubj    formed. 

Homeopathic  Free  Dispensary  opened. 

River  opened  to  navigation   (official  record),  March  23.. 

Charter  election  at  which  the  newly  elected  officials  are  the  first 
named  aldermen  in  each  ward  —  Mayor,  George  H.  Thacher; 
Common  Council :  Timothy  Sullivan,  Michael  Murphy,  I. 
Thomas  Mulhall,  Thomas  Farrell,  II.  Nehemiah  Osborn,  Wil- 
liam H.  Taylor,  III.  Adam  Cook,  William  M.  Gregory,  IV. 
John  N.  Parker,  Peter  M.  Carmichael,  V.  Abraham  A.  Wem- 
ple,  Lemon  Thomson,  VI.  Oscar  L.  Hascy,  Bartholomew 
Judge,  VII.  George  E.  Latham,  James  D.  Walsh,  VIII. 
Robert  Lenox  Banks,  Borden  H.  Mills,  IX.  John  B.  Sturte- 
vant,  Edmund  L.  Judson,  X.     Election,  April  q 

New  York  State  bank  elects  Franklin  Townsend  its  (4th)  presi- 
dent, on  death  of  Rufus  H.   King. 

Steamer  Drew,  People's  Line,  starts  running,  April  24. 

Hudson  Amateur  Rowing  Association  organized. 

St.  Agnes'  cemetery  incorporated,  May  9, 

St.  Agnes'  cemetery  consecrated.  May  19. 

Madison  avenue  changed  from  Lydius  street,  May  20. 

Constitutional  Convention,  June. 

John  M.  Trimble,  owner  of  Academy  of  Music   (Leland)   dies, 

June  7. 

Madison  place.  Eagle  to  Philip,  changed  from  ]\Iadison  avenue, 

July  I. 

Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck  elected  president  of  x\lbany  Savings  bank,  be- 
cause of  death  of  Rufus  H.  King,  declined,  and  Harmon  Pum- 
pelly  elected,  July. 

Name  of  Bowery  changed  to  Central  avenue,  July  15. 

St.  I\Iary's  Church  (its  third  edifice,  and  the  first  time  fronting  on 
Lodge  street),  corner-stone  laid,  Aug.   11. 

Fire    (paid)    Department   instituted,  Sept.    i. 

Academy  of  Music  (later  Trimble.  Leland,  Proctor's)  opened  by 
daughter  of  John  M.  Trimble  (who  dies  June  7,  1867), 

Sept.  2. 

Normal  School  elects  Joseph  Alden  its  (6th)  principal,  succeeding 
O.  C.  Arey   (who  had  begun  to  serve  in  1864). 

Fourth  Presbyterian  Church,  west  side  of  Broadway,  dedicated, 

Sept.   18. 


"ANGEL  AT  THE  SEPULCHRE." 

This  work  of  art  in  marble  has  been  greatly  admired  and  is  one  of  America's 
noted  pieces  of  statuary.  Sculptor  Erastus  D.  Palmer  completed  it  April  29,  1867, 
and  it  was  placed  on  the  lot  of  Gen.  Robert  Lenox  Banks  in  Rural  Cemetery. 


No.  so.  GEORGE    HORNELL  THACHER.  647 


1867-1868, 1870. 


Albany  ]\Iusical  Ass'n  (T.  S.  Lloyd.  Concl,  John  L>.  Marsh,  Pres.) 
organized,  Sept.  30. 

N.  Y.  State  National  bank  elects  Franklin  Townsend  its  (4th)  pres- 
ident. Oct.  28. 

Common  Council  votes  815,000  for  fire  alarms,  December. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (official  record),  Dec.  9. 

Amos   Dean,   originator   of  the   Youno-  Men's   Association   and   its 


1868. 


first  president  (  b.  Barnard,  Vt.,  Jan.  16,  1803),  cUes,     Jan.  26. 

Academy  of  jMusic  (afterwards  Trimble  Opera  House,  then  Leland 
Opera  House  and  Proctor's  Theatre  in  1906)  burned  to  ground 
excepting  the  front  wall,  Jan.  27. 

Proposals  advertised   for  City  Building  on   So.   Pearl  street, 

March   16. 

River  opened  to  navigation   (official  record),  March  20. 

John  G.  White's  big  malt-house,  north  side  ITudson  avenue, 
burned,  March  23. 

Charles  Edward  Bleecker  elected  the  51st  Mayor  of  Albany  at  a 
Charter  election,  receiving  6,979  votes  as  the  Democratic  can- 
didate, his  opponent,  John  N.  Parker,  receiving  4.143  votes  as 
the  Republican  candidate ;  blank  and  scattering,  28  votes ;  total 
number  of  votes  cast,  11,150;  Bleecker's  majority  over  Parker 
being  2,836  votes,  he  is  declared  elected  mayor,  April  14. 

Erastus    Dow    Palmer.    /Albany's    famous    sculptor,    completes    his 
statue  entitled  "  Angel  of  the  Sepulchre  "  for  the  Rural  Ceme- 
tery lot  of  Gen.  Robert  Lenox  Banks,  April  29. 
•         •         • 
(See  No.  51.) 


(Continued  from  No.  51.) 
1870. 


George  Hornell  Thacher  sworn  as  ]\Iayor  of  Albany,  having  been 
elected  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  12th,  when  he 
received  7,221  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate,  his  opponent, 
Edmund  Lewis  Judson,  receiving  5.983  votes  as  the  Republi- 
can candidate ;  John  Fair  receiving  489  votes ;  total  number  of 
votes  cast,  13.693;  Thacher's  majority  over  Judson  being  1,238 
votes,  '  May  6. 

Mayor  given  the  power  to  veto. 


648  GEORGE   HORNELL  THACHER.  No.  50. 

1870-1871. 

Home  of  tVie  Friendless  (n.  e.  cor.  Clinton  ave.  and  Perry  st.)  dedi- 
cated  (May  5)   previous  day,  May  6. 

Charter  election,  Mayor  George  Hornell  Thacher ;  Common 
Council:  John  Burke,  I.  James  H.  Simmons,  II.  James 
Quinn,  III.  John  Stuart,  IV.  Matthew  Quinn,  V.  Royal 
Bancroft,  VI.  John  N.  Parker,  VII.  James  Morris,  VIII. 
Terrence  J.  Quinn,  IX.  John  Loughlin,  X.  William  B.  Scott, 
XI.  James  Allen,  XII.  Albert  C.  Judson,  XIII.  Charles  Sen- 
rick,  XIV.  Benjamin  V.  Z.  Wemple,  XV.  Cornelius  Hill, 
XVI.  Philip  Fitzsimons,  William  M.  Van  Antwerp,  Robert 
H.  Moore,  John  Evers,  aldermen-at-large ;  Philip  Fitzsimons 
(alderman-at-large),  president.     Election,  April  12;  sworn  in, 

May  6. 

City  limits  reduced  from  Dongan  Charter  limitations  (16  miles 
westward)  to  4^4  miles  from  the  river. 

Young  Men's  Asso'n  moves  from  Commercial  Bank  building  to 
Martin  Hall. 

Sunday  Press  first  issued.  May  15. 

Cabbage-worms  first  found  here  by  State  Entomologist  J.  A.  Lintner. 

Washington  park  construction  begun,  July. 

Hudson  avenue  paved  with  wooden  blocks,  Broadway  to  Willett 
street. 

Green  street  paved  with  wooden  blocks.  State  street  to  Madison 
avenue. 

Lew  O.  Morris  Post,  No.  121,  G.  A.  R.  (Geo.  H.  Treadwell  com- 
mander) organized,  Aug.  21. 

Fire  steamer  No.  6  has  runaway  down  Hudson  avenue  and  plunges 
into  river,  but  driver  Andrew  McGraw  rescued,  Sept.  2. 

Albany  Academy  elects  Merrill  Edwards  Gates,  LL.  D.,  L.  H.  D., 
Ph.  D.,  its  ninth  principal. 

Oscar  David  Robinson  succeeds  John  Edwin  Bradley  as  principal 
(the  2nd)  of  the  Albany  High  School. 

Boston  &  Albany  railway  chartered,  Nov.  2. 

Beverwyck  Lodge,  No.  261,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  instituted,  Dec.  9. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (official  record),  Dec.   25. 


1871. 


Charter  officials  holding  office  this  year  (not  resultant  of  an  election 
this  year)  —  Mayor,  George  H.  Thacher ;  Common  Council : 
John  Burke,  I.  James  H.  Simmons,  II.  James  Quinn,  III. 
John  Stuart,  IV.  Matthew  Quin,  V.  Royal  Bancroft,  VI. 
John  N.  Parker,  VII.    James  Morris,  VIII.    Terrence  J.  Quinn, 


Ko.  50.  GEORGE    llORXELL   TllAClIER.  649 


1871. 


IX.  John  G.  Burch,  X.  William  B.  Scott,  XI.  James  Allen, 
XII.  Albert  C.  Tudson,  XIII.  Charles  Senrick,  XIV.  Ben- 
jamin V.  Z.  Wemple,  XV.  Cornelius  Hill,  XVI.  Robert  H. 
Moore,  William  M.  Yan  Antwerp.  John  Evers,  Philip  Fitz- 
simons.  at-large ;  Philip  Fitzsimons  (at-large),  president.  In 
office  on,  Jan.   i. 

Martin  Hall  ( theatre "),  n.  w.  cor.  State  and  Pearl  streets,  completed. 

Broadway  changed  from  Troy  road,  Feb.  13. 

No.  Pearl  street,  N'orth  Albany,  changed  from  N'o.  Pearl  avenue, 

Feb.   13. 

Genesee  street  changed  from  Watervliet  avenue,  Feb.   13. 

Mohawk  street  changed  from  Hudson  River  avenue,         Feb.   13. 

Emmet  street  changed  from  Broadway  avenue  to  Laughlin, 

Feb.   13. 

Albany  street  changed   from  Albany  avenue,  Feb.    13. 

Martin  Hall  opened  by  Burgesses  corps  ball,  Feb.  21. 

Martin  Hall's  first  performance,  benefit  of  Frank  Lawlor,  March  2. 

St.  Agnes'  School  incorporated,  March. 

River  open  to  navigation   (Government  record),  March   13, 

Weed,  Parsons  &  Co.  printing  house  burned   (loss  $500,000), 

April  7. 

Home  Savings  bank  chartered.  May  4. 

St.  Agnes'  School  building,  north  side  Elk  street,  commenced, 

i\Iay  8. 

Local  board   of  steamboat  inspectors   established. 

Germans  celebrate  peace  after  defeat  of  French  (Friedens  Fest), 
Wm.  Schneider  grand  marshal,  25th  and  loth  regiments  in 
line.  May  29. 

St.  Agnes'  School  corner-stone  laid,  June  19. 

Capitol  corner-stone  laid,  June  24. 

Albany  Savings  bank  separated  from  National  Commercial  bank, 
Henry  H.   Martin  made  treasurer,  July   i- 

Dr.  Parent  Philip   Staats   (ex-Mayor)    dies,  July  9. 

Washington  park  "  burial  ground  "  part  opened. 

First  Lutheran  Church  (4th  edifice),  n.  w.  cor.  Pine  and  Lodge 
streets,  built. 

N.  Y.  Encampment,  No.  58,  I.  O.  O.  F.  instituted  Aug  23. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  Charles  P.  Easton  its  (3rd) 
president    (succeeding  G.  W.   Carpenter  of   1869), 

School  No.   15  com.pleted. 

Sixth  Presbyterian  Church  erected.  Second  street. 

State  Fair,  the  31st  (Richard  Church,  Pres.)  at  Albany  (4th  time). 

River  closed  to  navigation  (official  record),  Nov.  29. 


650  GEORGE    HORNELL  THACHER.  No.  50. 


1871-1872. 


Monument  erected  over  the  grave  of  Gen.,  Philip  Schuyler  in  the 
Rural  Cemetery  by  his  granddaughter,  Mrs.  Miller  (daughter 
of  Cornelia  Schuyler)  and  Washington  Morton,  a  granite  shaft 
36  feet  high. 

First  train  crosses  Maiden  Lane  railroad  bridge,  Dec.  28. 


1872. 


Homeopathic  Hospital  chartered. 

People's  Gaslight  Co.  organized. 

Corning  Foundation  for  Christian  Work  incorporated.  Feb.  i. 

Citizens'  Steamboat  Line  of  Troy  formed,  February. 

Nilsson  sings  "  Lucia  "'  at  ^lartin  Hall,  February. 

Hudson  avenue  changed  from  Hudson  street,  formerly  Buffalo, 

March  4. 

Martiii  Hall  damaged  by  fire,  March  11. 

Federal  building  authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  March  12. 

River  opened,  March  27. 

Erastus  Corning  (ex-mayor)  dies,  April  8. 

G.  H.  Thacher  elected  Alayor  (contest  by  Judson),  April  9. 

Albany  Gaslight  Co.  (capital  $1,000,000)  establishes  works  on  Troy 
Road  (re-incorporated  1880),  incorporated,  April. 

Greenbush,  or  South  Ferry  st.  bridge  authorized  by  Act  of  April  18. 

Troy  to  West  Troy  bridge  authorized  by  xAct  of  April  2^. 

•         •         • 

George  H.  Thacher  sworn  a  fourth  time  as  ]\Iayor,  May  7. 

Charter  election,  Alayor,  George  Hornell  Thacher ;  Common 
Council:  George  Krank.  I.  Robert  H.  Moore,  II.  William 
Casey,  HL  Thomas  Mulhall,  IV.  Richard  Bortle,  V.  David 
N.  Glazier,  VL  H.  S.  Van  Santford,  VH.  Philip  Matti- 
more,  VHL  John  G.  Burch,  IX.  James  A.  Fahy,  X.  Robert 
Aspinall,  XI.  Thomas  Cavanaugh,  XII.  Townsend  Fondey, 
XIII.  Royal  Bancroft,  XIV.  Joseph  McCann.  XV.  Albert  M. 
Brumaghim,  XVI.  John  G.  Burch,  (IX).  president.  Election, 
April  9;  sworn  in.  May  7. 

Mountaineer  Lodge,  No.  321,  I.  C).  C).  F.,  instituted.  May  14. 

William  H.  DeWitt  presents  $10,000  to  Albany  City  hospital. 

Homeopathic  Hospital  (No.  123  North  Pearl  street)   opened. 

Albany  Fire  Protectives  organized,  June. 

Washington  Park  opened.  Wm.  S.  Egerton  made  superintendent. 

Fire  in  car-shops  at  West  Albany,  loss  $100,000,  July  6. 

N.  Y.  Central  railroad  lavs  four  tracks  duringf  summer. 


SAINT  AGNES'  SCHOOL. 

This  boarding  and  day  school  for  girls  on  Elk  St.,  accommodates  no  boarders. 
It  was  founded  in  1870  ;  cornerstone  was  laid  by  Bishop  Doane  on  June  19.  1871  ; 
incorporated  March  14,  1871  ;   building  occupied  Hallowe'en,  1872. 


No.  50.  GEORGE   HORNELL  THACHER.  65 1 


1872-1873. 


Amos  Pilsbury,  superintendent  of  penitentiary,  July  14. 

John  G.  Treadwell  appointed  first  superintendent  of  school  buildings. 
Martin  Hall  reopened  (after  March  11  fire)  by  John  E.  Owens, 

Aug.  15. 
Charlotte  Cushman  plays  at  Martin  Hall,  fall  of  year. 
Martin  Hall  becomes  Martin  Opera  House   (Gen.  John  S.  Dicker- 
man,  manager). 
Union  depot  at  Montgomery  and  Steuben  streets  opened,        Oct.  6. 
Unconditional  (Rep.)  club  organized. 

Waterford  bank  robbery,  $308,000  stolen,  Oct.  14. 

St.  Agnes'  School  formally  opened,  Hallowe'en. 
River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  10. 


1873. 


John  A.  Dix  becomes  Governor,  Jan.  1. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time  for  the  year  —  Mayor, 

George    H.    Thacher ;    Common   Council :      George    Krank^    I. 

Robert  H.  Moore,  H.     William  Casey,  HI.     Thomas  Mulhall. 

I\^      Richard    Bortle,    V.      David    N.    Glazier,    VI.      H.    S. 

A'an  Santford.  VH.     Philip  Mattimore.  Vlll.     John  G.  Burch, 

IX.      James   A.    Fahy,    X.      Robert   Aspinwall.    XI.      Thomas 

Cavanaugh,  XII.     Townsend  Fondey.  XIII.     Royal  Bancroft. 

XIV.     Joseph   McCann,  XV.     Albert  M.   Brumaghim,   XVI. 

John  G.  Burch  (IX),  president.     Holding  office,  Jan.  i. 

Constitutional  Convention  assembles,  January. 

Post-office  opened,  e.  side  North  Pearl  street,  s.  of  Columbia  street. 
Fifth  Police  Precinct  established  (Central  ave.  above  Perry  st.V 
Second  avenue  changed  from  Whitehall  Road,  Jan.  20. 

Third  avenue  changed  from  Van  Vechten  street,  Jan.  20. 

Fourth  avenue  changed  from  Nucella  street,  Jan.  20. 

William  Cassidy.  editor  of  The  Argus,  dies,  Jan.  23. 

Daniel  Manning  made  president  of  Argus  Co.   f  death  of  William 

Cassidy). 
Adelphi  Literary  Ass'n  (Adelphi  clul)  later)  organized.         Jan.  26. 
Charles  Edward  Bleecker  (ex-mayor)  dies,  Ian.  31. 

Adelphi  club  engages  rooms  on  South  Pearl  street. 
American  Express  Co.  formed  from  Merchants'  Union  Express  Co. 

of  Albany,  Feb.  i. 

Burgesses  Corps  participate  in  Grant's  second  inaugural.      March  4. 


652  GEORGE   HORNELL  THACHER.  No.  50. 

1873-1874. 

Board  of  Underwriters  incorporated,  March  20. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  x\pril  14. 

Albany  Medical  College  becomes  part  of  Union  University,     April. 

Albany  Yacht  Club  (31st  recorded  in  United  States)  organized  at 
No.  12  James  street  (S.  G.  Paine,  Jr..  Commodore),    April  i6. 

Legislative  exercises  in  memory  of  Wm.  H.  Seward,  C.  F.  Adams 
the  orator,  April  18. 

Washington  Park  lake  excavated. 

Third  Division  Riile  x\ssociation  organized. 

Engineers  determine  on  the  tludson  river  as  available  water  supply. 

United  Irishmen  of  America  organized  in  Albany. 

Albany  Mutual  Benefit  Ass'n  organized. 

W.  C.  T.  U.  branch  organized  in  Albany. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  Addison  A.  Keyes  its  (4th)  presi- 
dent (succeeding  C.  P.  Easton  of  1871). 

State  Fair,  the  33rd  (Benj.  F.  Angel,  Pres.),  held  at  Albany  (5th 
time ) . 

Sylvanus  H.  Sweet  elected  State  engineer  and  surveyor.       Nov.  4. 

Trimble  Opera  House  (Leland  later)  leased  from  the  Lelands  by 
John  W.  Albaugh. 

Gen.  J.  Meredith  Read  named  U.  S.  minister  plenipotentiary  to 
Greece,  November. 

Judge  and  Mrs.  Rufus  W.  Peckham,  Sr.,  drowned  at  sea  on  sinking 
of  the  steamship  Ville  de  Havre,  following  a  collision,    Nov.  22. 

Trimble  Opera  House  named  Leland  Opera  House,  and  managed  by 
Aaron  Richardson,  Nov.  26. 

Weather  service  established  at  Albany  officially  at  Dudley  Observa- 
tory (Prof.  Alois  Donhauser,  forecaster),  Dec.  22. 

River  closed  temporarily,  Dec.  22. 


1874. 


Albany  Caledonian  Club  organized,  January. 

Mayor  George  H.  Thacher  resigns,  Jan.  28. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (official  record),  Jan.  30. 

Albany  Medical  College  Alumni  Asso'n  organized,  Jan.  20. 

River  opened  to  navigation,  shortest  season,  51  days,       March  21. 

Lowenstein  hanged  for  the  murder  of  Weston,  April  10. 

Edmund  Lewis  Judson  elected  Mayor  of  Albany  at  a  Charter  elec- 
tion held  on  April  14th,  receiving  8,762  votes  as  the  Republican 
candidate,  his  opponent.  Thomas  McCarty.  receiving  7,270 
votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  John  C.  Feltman  receiving 


FEDERAL  BUILDING. 

Post-Office  opened  in  Exchange  Building,  this  site,  Feb. 
23,  1840;  new  office  authorized  March  12,  iSj'j,  hence  it  left 
this  site  in  1873  ;  building  razed  Dec.  i,  1875  ;  the  I\I.  and  F. 
Bank,  bought  March  3,  1873,  for  part  of  site  ;  Italian  Renais- 
sance ;  cost  $627,148  ;  Post-Office  moved  in  Jan.  i,  1884. 


No.  50.  GEORGE    HOKXELL   THACHER.  653 

1874. 

58  votes  as  the  American  People's  candidate ;  total  number  of 
votes  cast,  16,090;  Judson's  majority  over  ]\[cCarty  being  1,492 
votes,  April  14. 

Troops  sent  from  Albany  to  protect  Catskill  jail  from  angry  mob, 
murderer  Joseph  Waltz  having"  killed  his  keeper  (Ernst)  previ- 
ous day  to  his  execution  on  forenoon  of  April  30. 


(See  No.  52.) 


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No.  51. 

dljarba  iEimarJi  Sb^rkrr. 


May  6,  1868  —  May  5.  1870 


No.  51. 
CHARLES  EDWARD  BLEECKER. 

Date  of  office:     May  6,  1868-AIay  5,  1870. 

Date  of  election:     April  14,  1868. 

Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     6,979. 

Opponent:     John  N.  Parker. 

Political  party:     Republican. 

Vote:     4,143,  blank  and  scattering  28. 

Total  z'ote:     11,150. 

Date  of  birth:     July  15,  1826. 

Place  uf  birth:     Albany. 

Parents:     Gerrit  V.  S.  (B.)  and  Margaret  Van  Der  Voort. 

Education:     Albany  Boys'  Academy. 

Married  to:     Grace  Strover. 

Date:     Schuylerville,  July  15,  1857. 

Children:     None. 

Residence:     Delavan  Hotel. 

Occupation:     Wine  merchant. 

Religion:     Dutch  Reformed. 

Date  of  death:     January  31,  1873. 

Place  of  death:     No.  736  Broadway. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Alderman  (sixth  ward).  Planned  W^ashington  Park. 
Masters  Lodge.  Albany  Burgesses  Corps.  Albany  Jackson 
Corps.    \'eto  power  conferred  on  the  Mayor  in  1869. 


51.     CHARLES   EDWARD   BLEECKER. 
I 868- I 870. 
From  an  oil  painting  made  from  life,  and  owned  in  1903  by  !iis  sister,  Mrs. 
Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck. 


No.    51.  CHARLES   EDWARD   BLEECKER.  657 

1868. 


(Continued  from  No.  50.) 
1868. 


Charles  Edward  Bleecker  sworn  in  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  having; 
been  chosen  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  14th.  when 
he  received  6,979  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  his  op- 
ponent, John  N.  Parker,  receiving  4,143  votes  as  the  Republican 
candidate ;  blank  and  scattering,  28  votes ;  total  number  of 
votes  cast,  11,150;  Bleecker's  majority  over  Parker  being  2,836 
votes,  May  6. 

Charter  election.  Mayor,  Charles  Edward  Bleecker;  Common 
Council :  Timothy  Sullivan,  Hugh  McCann,  I.  Thomas  Mul- 
hall,  Alexander  Kennedy,  II.  Nehemiah  Osborn,  Jonathan  B. 
Herrick,  III.  Adam  Cook,  Charles  D.  Mills,  IV.  John  N. 
Parker,  George  Evans,  V.  Abraham  A.  Wemple,  James  E. 
Walker,  VI.  Oscar  L.  Hascy,  Michael  Lyman,  VII.  George 
E.  Latham.  Alichael  S.  McGue,  VIII.  Robert  Lenox  Banks, 
Adam  W.  Smith,  IX.  John  B.  Sturtevant,  Charles  G.  Craft,  X. 
Election,  April  14;  sworn  in,  May  6. 

Centre  Market  on  west  side  of  So.  Pearl  st.,  demolished  to  form 
site  for  City  Building,  s.  w.  corner  of  So.  Pearl  and  Howard 
sts. 

Dr.  Charles  H.  Peck  of  this  city  made  N.  Y.  State  Botanist. 

James  Edwards,  an  able  lawyer,  dies.  May  21. 

Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  IV.,  (b.  1789)  the  last  Patroon  and 
resident  of  the  ?^Ianor  House  (excepting  his  widow  and  family) 
dies  there.  May  25. 

St.  Vincent's  asylum  opened  on  Elm  street,  for  girls. 

Fire  alarm  telegraph  system  instituted,  75  boxes,  June   i. 

West  street  changed  from  DeWitt  St.,  Jvme  i. 

Seventeen-year  locusts  appear. 

Peter  Cagger  (able  lawyer)  dies,  July  6. 

Gen.  J.  Meredith  Read  named  consul-general  at  Paris  (and  remains 
during  two  sieges  of  that  city). 

Albany  Railway  elects  Henry  Crandall  (second)  president,    Aug.  i. 

Albany  Jackson  Guard  (Dem.  political  club)  organized  (Capt.  James 
Macfarlane),  Aug.  13. 

Charles  Loring  Elliot   (eminent  artist)   dies,  Aug.  25. 

St.  Patrick's  (R.  C.)  Church  consecrated,  Aug.  30. 

Albany  Free  Academy  opens  in  Van  Vechten  hall  (n.  side  of  State 
near  Eagle  street)  with  John  E.  Bradley  its  principal,  and  four 
teachers,  Sept.   i. 


658  CHARLES   EDWARD   BLEECKER.  No.    5I. 


1868-1869. 


Albany  Academy  elects  Rev.  Abel  Wood,  A.  M.,  its  8th  principal. 

Congregational  Church  corner-stone  laid,  Sept.  22. 

Episcopal  Diocese  of  Albany  set  off  from  New  York  Diocese  at  the 
convention  held  in  New  York  city,  Bishop  Horatio  Potter 
presiding,  September. 

Broadway  wood-paving  begun,  Sept.  30. 

Unconditional  Republican  Club  formed. 

Benjamin  F.  Butler,  former  law  partner  of  ]\Iartin  \"an  Buren  at 
No.  Ill  State  street,  dies,  Nov.  8. 

Dana  Natural  History  Society  organized  Nov.  19. 

Eintracht  Singing  Society  organized,  Nov.  19. 

Convention  of  Episcopal  Church  assembles  at  St.  Peter's  Church 
to  elect  a  bishop  of  the  newly  formed  diocese,  Dec.  2. 

William  Croswell  Doane,  (b.  Boston  on  March  2,  1832)  who  had 
been  instituted  rector  of  .St.  Peter's  Church  on  March  i,  1867, 
elected  bishop  on  the  9th  ballot  by  41  clerical  and  31  lay  votes, 

Dec.  3. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  otffcial  record,  Dec.  9. 

St.  Ann's  Roman  Catholic  Church  consecrated,  Dec.  20, 


1869. 


John  T.  Hoft'man  becomes  Governor,  .    Jan.  i. 

Gen.  John  Meredith  Read  appointed  U.  S.  consul  to  France. 

A.  &  S.  railroad  open  to  Binghamton,  Jan.  14. 

Rt.  Rev.  Wm.  Croswell  Doane  consecrated  bishop,  in  St.  Peter's 
Church,  Feb.  2. 

Sherman  street  changed  from  Sand  st.,  Feb.  15. 

Dr.  Jacob  S.  Mosher  appointed  surgeon-general  by  Governor  Hoff- 
man. 

Burgesses  Corps  at  Grant's  first  inaugural,  Ivlarch  4. 

John  M.  Bailey  appointed  collector  internal  revenue. 

St.  Mary's  Church,  3rd  edifice  (first  time  facing  Lodge  st.)  dedi- 
cated, March  14. 

River  open  to  navigation,  official  record,  April  5. 

Charter  election  at  which  of  those  enumerated  only  the  second 
named  of  each  alderman  was  of  this  date  elected  —  Mayor, 
Charles  E.  Bleecker ;  Common  Council :  Hugh  McCann,  John 
Burk,  I.  Alexander  Kennedy,  Thomas  Mulhall,  H.  Jonathan 
R.  Herrick,  Nehemiah  Osborn,  HI.  Charles  D.  Mills,  Peter 
Poland,  IV.  George  Evans,  John  N.  Parker,  A'.  James  E. 
Walker.  Ralph  W.  Thacher,  Vl.     Michael  Lvman,  Terrence  T- 


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No.    51.  CHARLES    EDWARD    BLEECKER.  659 

1869. 

Quinn,  VII.  Michael  S.  McGue,  William  B.  Scott,  VIII. 
Adam  W.  Smith,  Albert  C.  Jiidson,  IX.  Charles  G.  Craft. 
Andrew  M.  Combs,  X.     Election,  April  13. 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  appoints  Jeffrey  P.  Thomas   (4th)   super- 
intendent. 

Ash  Grove  Place  changed  from  Westerlo  st.,  Alay  4. 

Park  commission  created  by  act  of.  May  5. 

Cohoes  incorporated  a  city.  May  9. 

Maiden  Lane  railroad  bridge  authorized  by  act  of,  May  10. 

Washington    Park    provided    for    (acquiring    Washington    Parade 
Ground  and  burial  ground  property  adjoining)   by  act  of. 

May  5. 

Board  of  Lumber  Dealers  incorporated. 

Albany  Turn  Verein  incorporated. 

Trinity  Place  changed  from  Davidson  st.,  June  14. 

National  Savings  Bank  first  opened,  June  28. 

State  Constitutional   Convention  in  "  Old  "  Capitol. 

Capitol  foundation  stonework  begun,  J.  V.  L.  Pruyn  laying  first 
stone,  July  7. 

Broadway  (Hudson  ave.  to  Wilson  st.)  paved  with  wooden  blocks 
of  Canada  pine. 

Christian  Brothers'  Academy  incorporated,  Aug.  3. 

Henry  B.  Haswell  (ist  superintendent  of  schools)  dies,      Aug.  10. 

Emmanuel  Baptist  Church  corner-stone  laid,  Aug.  14. 

Division  Street  Theatre  opened,  Oct.  4. 

John  O.  Cole  (ist  president  of  Board  of  Public  Instruction,  organ- 
ized in  1866)   resigns,  Oct.  4. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  appoints  John  O.  Cole  the  (2nd)  super- 
intendent of  schools   (succeeding  H.  B.  Haswell  of  1866). 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  Geo.  W.  Carpenter  its  (2nd) 
president   (succeeding  J.  O.  Cole  of  1866). 

Rev.  Dr.  William  Buel  Sprague  (Second  Presbyterian  Church)  re- 
tires. 

Congregational  Church,  cost  $130,000,  dedicated,  Oct.  14. 

N.  Y.  Central  and  the  Hudson  River  Road  consolidated,        Nov.  i. 

Schreiber's  Albany  Cornet  Band  disbanded. 

St.  Peter's  Hospital  (Stephen  Van  Rensselaer's  house,  N.  Ferry 
St.)  occupied,  November. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  official  record,  Dec.  4. 

Sixth  Presbyterian  Church,  s.  side  Second  st.,  organized,       Dec.  8. 

Trimble  Opera  House  (Leland  later)  formerly  Academy  of  Music, 
and  burned  Jan.  27,  1868,  erected  by  Lucien  Barnes,  husband 
of  Miss  Trimble  (and  so  conducted  until  November  26,  1873), 
on;  Dec.  ^i. 


660  CHARLES   EDWARD    BLEECKER.  No.    5I. 


1870. 


1870. 

Population  of  Albany  69,422. 

Population  of  New  York  State  4,382,759. 

Albany  Law  Journal  established. 

Second  Police  Precinct  station  located  in  City  Building. 

Fire  alarm  boxes  number  sixty. 

Parepa  Rosa  sings  at  Tweddle  Hall,  Jan.  8. 

Albany  Musical  Association  incorporated,  Feb.  19. 

Beaverwyck  Rowing  Club  organized,  Feb.  22. 

A.  &  S.  railroad  to  Binghamton  leased  to  D.  &  H.  line,  Feb.  24. 

Martin  Hall  (opera  house)  erected  by  George  Martin,  n.  w.  corner 
of   So.  Pearl  and  Beaver  streets. 

Rev.  Anson  Judd  Upson  installed.  Second  Presbyterian  Church. 

Capital  City  Chapter,  No.  242,  R.  A.  M..  instituted. 

St.  Agnes'  School   founded. 

River  open  to  navigation,  (official  record),  ]\Iarch  30. 

Bethlehem  increased  by  s.  e.   part  of  Albany,  April  6. 

Albany   News   Company  organized,  April   11. 

George  Hornell  Thacher  elected  MaVor  at  the  Charter  election,  re- 
ceiving 7,221  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate;  his  opponent, 
Edmund  Lewis  Judson,  receiving  5,983  votes  as  the  Republican 
candidate ;  John  Fair  receiving  489  votes ;  total  number  of  votes 
cast,  13,693;  Thacher's  majority  over  Judson  being  1,238  votes, 
he  is  declared  elected  Mayor,  April  12. 


(See  No.  50.) 


SENATE    CHAMBER. 


ASSEMBLY    CHAMBER. 


CAPITOL  OF  1808— HOUSES. 

The  old  Capitol  was  first  used  Nov.   i,  1808,  and  its  fate  was  sealed  when 

Chancellor  John  V.  L.  Pruyn  placed  first  stone  of  new  building  on  July  7,  1869, 

followed  by  cornerstone  laid   on   June  24,   1871  ;    razed  in  fall  of   1883.     Scene 

"(1874)    in   Senate,    Lt.    Gov.   Wm.    Dorsheimer  presiding;   Assembly,   Speaker 

Jas.  Husted  presiding. 


No.  52. 


April  14-.  1874  — May  1,  1876. 


No.  52. 

EDMUND  LEWIS  JUDSON. 

Date  of  office:     (a)   April  14,  1874-May  4,  1874. 

(b)    May  5,  i874-]\ray  i,  1876. 
Date  of  election:      (a)    April  9.  1872,  (followed  by  successful  court 
contest), 
(b)   April  14,  1874. 
Political  party:     Republican. 
J^ofe:     (a)   8,762. 
(b)   8,761. 
Opponent:     (a)   Thomas  McCarty,  (aa)  Jolm  C.  Feltman. 
(b)   Thomas  McCarty,  (bb)  John  C.  Feltman. 
Political  party:     (a)   Democrat,  (aa)  American  People's, 
(b)    Democrat,  (bb)  American  People's. 
Vote:     (a)   7,270,  (aa)  58. 

(b)   7,265,  (bb)   195. 
Total  J^ote:     (a)    16,090. 
(b)    16,221. 
Date  of  birth:     November  13,  1830. 
Place  of  birth:     No.  134  Washington  avenue. 
Parents:     Ichabod  (J.)  and  Parthenia  Conde. 
Education:     Albany  Academy ;  Greylock,  Williamstown,  Mass. 
Married  to:     Martha  Letitia  Wright. 
Date:     December  26,  1854. 

Children:     (2)  Albert  Post,  Elizabeth  W^right  (Griswold). 
Residence:     No.  62  Jay  street. 
Occupation:     Flour  and  provision  merchant. 
Religion:     Episcopalian. 
Date  of  death:     April  8,  1890. 
Place  of  death:     No.  287  Lark  street. 
Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 
Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Alderman,  1862-66.  Contested  election  of  April  9,  1872  ; 
court  ruled  in  his  favor.  On  resignation  of  George  FL 
Thacher,  January  28,  1874,  President  of  Council  John  G. 
Burch  acted  until  double  election,  April  14th.  School  No. 
22  completed  1874;  school  No.  21  completed  1875.  President 
Young  Men's  Association.  President  Board  of  Trade. 
Master  of  Master's  Lodge ;  Grand  Master  of  New  York 
State. 


5^-     EDAIUND  LEWIS  JUDSON. 
I 874- I 876. 
From  a  photograph  made  from  life  by  Horton,  and  owned  in   1904 -by  his 
daughter,  :\Irs.  Clarence  AI.  Griswold. 


]Sio.    52.  EDMUND   LEWIS   JUDSON.  663 


1874. 


(Continued  from  No.  50.) 
1874. 


Edmund  Lewis  Judson  is  sworn  in  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  having  been 
elected  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  14th,  when  he 
received  8,761  votes  as  the  Republican  candidate,  his  opponent, 
Thomas  AlcCarty,  receiving  7,265  votes  as  the  Democratic  candi- 
date ;  John  C.  Feltman  receiving  195  votes  as  the  American 
People's  candidate ;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  16,221 ;  Judson's 
majority  over  McCarty  being  1,496  votes;  but  since  April  14th 
Judson  had  been  adjudicated  Mayor  in  contest  with  Mayor  G. 
H.  Thacher,  following  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  12, 
1872,  Thacher  nearly  completing  the  entire  term  of  two  years 
before  settlement.  May  5. 

Bath-on-the-Hudson  incorporated  as  a  village.  May  5. 

Trial  of  steam  canal-boats  on  the  Erie,  City  of  New  York  and 
Baxter,  proves  a  success.  May. 

Ralph  P.  Lathrop  appointed  collector  of  internal  revenue. 

The  Col.  Elmer  E.  Ellsworth  monument  unveiled  at  Mechanicville. 
Capt.  Wm.  E.  Fitch  of  this  city  acting  as  grand  marshal,  the 
G.  A.  R.  posts  of  Albany  and  Academy  cadets  attending  and 
filling  20  cars.  May  27. 

Memorial  Day  parade  with  M.  H.  Donovan  as  grand  marshal, 

May  30. 

Albany  County  Eclectic  Society  organized,  Robert  Liston.  M.  D., 
elected  its  first  president,  June  i. 

Chancellor  Robert  R.  Livingston's  statue  completed  in  plaster  by 
Erastus  Dow  Palmer  (to  be  placed  with  that  of  Gov.  George 
Clinton  as  the  two  from  this  state  in  the  old  Hall  of  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  capitol  at  Washington)  and  ready  to  be  cast 
in  bronze  by  Barbedienne  at  Paris  (another  made  for  the 
Court  of  Appeals  Chamber  in  the  capitol  at  Albany),         June  6. 

Albany  County  Bank  organized. 

Dr.  James  MacNaughton,  Albany's  prominent  physician,  dies.  Paris, 

June  12. 

Hydrophobia  epidemic  alarms  and  scientists  seeking  remedy,     June. 

Albany  Boatmen's  Relief  Association  organized. 

Colorado  potato-beetle,   (Doryophora  lo-lineata)   first  appears. 

Amoskeag  fire  steamer  manufacturers  and  city  engage  in  lawsuit 
over  repairs  to  steamer  No.  5,  July  15. 

Broadway  (Hudson  ave.  to  Wilson  st.)  paved  with  granite  block. 


664  EDMUND   LEWIS   JUDSON.  .  No.    52. 

1874. 

Steamboats  J.  B.  vSchuyler  and  G.  E.  Wynants  collide  at  nioht, 

July  28.' 
Hudson  avenue  park  plans  and  specifications  completed,  July  31. 
Ellsworth    (44th  N.   Y. )    \'eteran  association   triennial   reunion. 

Aug".   I. 

]Mechanics   &:  Farmers'  bank  work  begun  by  demolishing  building 

corner  of  James  and  State  streets,  Aug.  3. 

Sacred  Heart  Church  (  R.  C. )  founded,  Aug.  5. 

VVatervliet   turnpike  toll-gate  ordered   open  until   road  is   repaired. 

Ang.  5- 
Albany  Yacht  Club  starts  on  first  annual  cruise  to  Newport,  Aug.  C\ 
Steamboat  Dean  Richmond  runs  aground  north  of  \"an  AVie's  point 
and  the  Jacob  Leonard  removes  passengers,  Aug.  11. 

Perr}^  Stove  Company  strike,  Aug.  20. 

Interest    manifested    in    re]:)ort    of    investigating   committee    in    the 
Henry  Ward  IJeecher  and  Theodore  Tilton  case  announced, 

Aug.  27. 
Home  for  aged  men  proposed  by  letter  to  newspaper,  Aug.  29. 

Beavervvyck  Rowing  Club  wins  4-oar  race  at  Saratoga  regatta, 

Aug.  31. 
G.  A.  R.  sham  battle  at  Fair  Grounds,  Aug.  31. 

Beavervvyck  Rowing  Club  welcomed  by  ovation  and  parade,    Sept.  i. 
Albany  Medical  College  opened  by  lecture  by  Dr.  James  H.  Armsby, 

Sept.  2. 
Beaverwyck  Rowing  Club  wins  National  Regatta,  Troy,  Sept.  4. 
Clynics  inaugurated  at  Albany  Medical  College  by  Dr.  Armsby, 

Sept.  5. 

Albany  Institute  "  field  ""  trip  on  steamboat  Granite  State  to  Newport, 

Nantucket  and  Martha's  A'ineyard.  Sept.  7. 

Boston  &  Albany  railroad  freight  house,  20  cars  and  oil  tanks  burn. 

Chief  McOuade  rendering  assistance  with  steamers  3,  4  and  5, 

Sept.  7. 
Col.  John  McArdle  (caterer)   dies,  Sept.   10. 

Gen.  John  Meredith  Read  on  return  as  minister  to  Greece,  honored 
with  an  elaborate  dinner  at  Delavan  House,  Sept.  14. 

Charles  W.  Reynolds  (lawyer)  dies,  Sept.  14. 

Rev.   Dwight  Kellogg  Bartlett  becomes   minister  ^Madison   Avenue 

Reformed  Church. 
School  No.  22  completed. 
River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  12. 


ALBANY  COUNTY  BUILDING. 

It  was  erected  by  the  Albany  Savings  Bank,  which  entered 
it  May  ii,  1875;  county  bought  it  in  1898,  and  commenced 
alterations  when  the  bznk  removed  to  its  new  edifice  on  No. 
Pearl  st.,  Apr.  25,  1899. 


No.    52.  EDMUND   LEWIS  JUDSON.  665 


1875. 


1875. 


Samuel  J.  Tilden  becomes  Governor,  Jan.  i. 

Charter  officers  :  Mayor,  Edmund  Lewis  Judson  ;  Common  Council : 

Frederick  Andes,  I.     John  G.  Schneider,  II.     William  Casey, 

III.    William  H.  Keeler,  IV.    James  N.  Brady,  V.    Robert  K. 
.    Oliver,  Vl.    Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck,  VII.    Philip  Mattimore,  VIII. 

Peter  C.  Lauder,  IX.     James  A.  Fahy,  X.     John  A.  Luby,  XI. 

Thomas  Cavanaugh,  XII.     William  H.  Bailey,  XIII.     John  P. 

Bradt,   XIV.      Joseph   McCann,   XV.      Hiram    Bender,    XVI. 

William  Casey  (III),  president.       Holding  office,  Jan.  i. 

Population  of  the  city,  86,541. 

Irish-born  in  Albany  (by  state  census)  number  14,184  of  86,541. 
James  Martin,  Jr.,  poet  (b.  Albany,  Sept.  28,  1828),  dies  at  Albany, 

Feb.    7. 
William  Cullen  Bryant  given  reception  by  Gov.  S.  J.  Tilden,  Feb.  8. 
Babies'  Nursery  founded  at  No.  562  Clinton  avenue. 
Governor  Tilden  commences  attack  upon  canal  ring,  March. 

American   District  Telegraph   Co.  of   Albany    (messenger  service) 

chartered. 
John  Tweddle   (malt-house  proprietor)   dies,  March  9. 

Child's  Hospital  opened,  March  26. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  April  12. 

Charles  Sumner  Benevolent  Association  organized. 
Albany  loth  Regiment  band  mustered  from  Capital  City  band. 
St.  Peter's  Church  parish  house,  e.  side  Lodge  street,  erected. 
Albany  Savings  Bank  building,  w.  corner  State  and  Chapel  streets 

(becoming  later  County  building)  erected  at  cost  of  $247,808.22. 
Albany  railway  contracts  for  stable  on  Central  avenue^,  near  Quail 

street.  May  24. 

Albany  County  Medical  Society  admits  ]\Iiss  Mary  Du  Bois,  June  8. 
Death  of  Harriet  Elizabeth  Bayard  at  the  Manor  House  (b.  1799), 

widow  of  Stephen  A'an  Rensselaer,  IV.  (d.  May  25,  1868)  the 

last  Patroon.  June  19. 

Albany  railway  operates  horse-cars  on  Hamilton.  Grand  and  Beaver 

streets,  July  3. 

Mechanics  and  Farmers'  Bank  building.  State  and  James,  erected. 
Washington  Park  bridge  and  lake  house  erected. 
School  No.  21  completed. 

Pumping  station  established  at  foot  of  Clinton  avenue,  first  operated 

to  pump  river  water.  Sept.    14. 

New  York  city  papers  first  arrive  by  fast  mail  at  8  a.  m.,      Sept.   16. 


656  EDMUND   LEWIS   JUDSON.  No.    52, 

1875-1876. 

Mozart  Singing  Society   (Prof.  Wm.  Boehm,  director)   organized, 

Sept.  20. 
Capital  City  Lodge,  No.  440,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  instituted,  Sept.  23, 

Trinity  (M.  E.)    Church  corner-stone  laid,  n.  w.  corner  Lark  and 

Lancaster,  Oct.  10. 

Albany  railway  elects  Delavan  Peck  (third)  president,         Oct.  ii. 
Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  Charles  P.  Easton  (2nd  time)  its 

(5th)  president  (succeeding  A.  A.  Keyes  of  1873). 
Catherine  Alaley  Cuyler,  wife  of  Dexter  Reynolds,  attorney  (b.  Cuy- 

lerville,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  2,  1842)  dies  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.  (burial  in 

Rural  Cemetery),  Oct.  23. 

Charles  S.  Fairchild  elected  State  attorney-general,  Nov.  2. 

National  Commercial   Bank   elects    Robert   Hewson   Pruyn    (fifth) 

president  to  succeed  E.  P.  Prentice,  Nov.  24. 

George  S.  Dawson  Post,  No.  63,  G.  A.  R.   (  Charles  D.  Rathbone, 

commander)  organized,  Nov.  25. 

Steamboat  Sunnyside  sinks,  with  eleven  drowning,  Dec.  I, 

.Federal  building  erection  commenced,  Dec.   i. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Dec.  i. 

Ira  Harris,  able  lawyer,  dies,  Dec.  2. 

Dr.  James  H.  Armsby,  founder  of  Albany  Hospital,  dies,       Dec.  3. 
Cattle  cars  unloading  at   West  Albany  market  number  24,937  o^ 

cattle,  3.507  of  sheep,  8.455  o^  hogs,  945  of  horses ;  total,  37,844 

cars:  daily  average,  103  cars,  during  1875. 
Charles  Sumner   Benevolent  Association   founded  Dec.    13. 

John  M.  Crapo's  rug  store  robbed,  Dec.  2;^, 

St.  Peter's  church  tower  aiid  chimes  given  by  George  Tweddle  in 

memory   of   his    father.   John    (died   >.Iarch  9,    1875)    and   his 

mother,  Sarah   Tweddle,  Dec.  25. 


1876. 


Centennial  year  celebrated  by  midnight  parade,  Jan.    i. 

Northern  Boulevard  begun  (between  Western  and  Central  avenues), 

Jan.    I, 

Savings  banks  of  Albany  reduce  interest  from  6  to  ^4,  Jan.  I. 

South  Ferry  running  and  first  tow  of  year  leaves  for  New  York, 

Jan.  3. 

Legislature  convenes  and  Governor  Tilden's  voluminous  message  is 
read,  Jan.  4. 

Peter  Gansevoort  (87th  year)  dies  at  his  home.  No.  115  Washing- 
ton avenue,  Jan.  4. 


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No.    52.  EDMUND   LKWIS   JUDSON.  667 

1876. 

Dr.  John  V.  P.  Ouackenbush  dies.  Jan.  8. 

Mayor  Judson  appeals  for  subscriptions  for  the  poor.  Jan.   lo. 

Lilhe  Devereaux  Blake  addresses  judiciary  committee  of  Assembly 
on  woman  suffrai^e.  Jan.  i8. 

Col.  A.  J.  Parker  gives  a  reception  for  Edward  Bowditch  on  being 
elected  major  of  loth  regiment,  Jan.  21. 

Agur  Wells  (86th  year)  dies,  Jan.  22. 

Governor  Tilden,  assisted  by  Mrs.  Pelton,  gives  first  public  reception 
at  Executive  Mansion  on  Eagle  street.  Jan.  25. 

Wallace  Bruce  lectures  before  Y.  ]\I.  A.  ("  Landmarks  of  Scotland,") 

Jan.  27. 

Ex-Gov.  John  T.  Hoffman  lectures  at  Martin  Hall  before  the  Y.  M. 
A.,    '  Feb.  3. 

Mrs.  Howard  Townsend  organizes  movement  for  women  to  send 
magnificent  state  banner  to  Centennial  at  Philadelphia,  Feb.  22. 

Y.  M.  O.  ball  at  Martin  Hall,  Feb.  24. 

Murderer  Joseph  Waltz's  body  exhumed  on  the  family  farm  at  Cats- 
kill  and  appeal  made  to  Bishop  ^IcNeirney  to  prevent  burial  in 
Jefferson  cemetery,  Catskill,  Feb.  28. 

Western  avenue  land  owners  appeal  to  park  board  to  pave  with 
granite,  thoroughfare  being  in  wretched  condition,       March  i. 

Fifth  Police  Precinct  station  house  erected  at  270  Central  avenue. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  April  i. 

Firemen's  Relief  Association  organized,  April  4. 

Anthony  Bleecker  Banks  elected  Mayor  of  Albany  at  a  Charter  elec- 
tion, receiving  9,377  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate :  his 
opponent,  Edmund  Lewis  Judson,  receiving  7,912  votes  as  the 
Republican  candidate;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  17,289; 
Banks'  majority  over  Judson  being  1.465  votes,  he  is  declared 
elected  mayor,  April  11. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  53.) 


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No.  53. 


May  2,  1  876  —  May  6.  1  »78. 
May  6,  1  884  —  May  3,  1  88e>. 


No.  53. 

ANTHONY    BLEECKER    BANKS. 

Date  of  office:     (a)    May  2,  1876-May  6,  1878. 
(b)    May  6,  1884-May  3,  1886. 
Date  of  election:     (a)   April  11,  1876. 
(b)   April  9,   1884. 
Political  party:     Democrat. 
Vote:     (a)   9,377. 

(b)    10,098. 
Opponent:      (a)    Edmund  L.  Judson. 

(b)   John  Swinburne. 
Political  party:     (a)   Republican, 
(b)   Republican. 
Vote:     (a)   7,912. 

(b)   9,848;  scattering,  51. 
Total  rote:     (a)    17,289. 
(b)    19,998. 
Date  of  birth:     March  7,  1837. 
Place  of  birth:     New  York,  N.  Y. 
Parents:     David   (B.)   and  Harriet  Lloyd. 
Edncation:     New  York  city  schools. 
Married  to:     Phoebe  Wells. 
Date:     July  6,  1866. 

Children:     (2)   Harriet  Lloyd   (Green)   and  Bleecker  Wells. 
Residence:     No.  327  State  street. 
Occupation:     Publisher  of  law  books. 
Religion:     Episcopal. 
Title:     General. 

Remarks:  Member  of  Assembly.  1862.  State  Senator,  1868-69: 
1870-71.  High  school  completed  1876.  President  Green- 
bush  Bridge  Co.,  begun  1876;  length,  1,669  feet.  School 
No.  2  completed  1884.  Member  Constitutional  Convention, 
1896.  Progressed  Washington  Park.  Cobblestone  pavement 
replaced  with  granite  block. 


53.     ANTHONY  BLEECKER  BANKS. 
1H76-78;  1SS4-86. 
From  a  photograph  made  from  life  in  1858  by  Pirie  Macdonald,  and  owned 
by  The  Albany  InstiUite. 


No.  53.  ANTHONY    P.LEECKER    BANKS.  67I 

1876. 

(Continued  from  No.  52.) 
1876. 


Anthony  Bleecker  Banks  sworn  in  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  bavins:^  been 
elected  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  nth,  when  he  re- 
ceived 9,377  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate,  his  opponent, 
•Edmund  Lewis  Judson,  receiving  7,912  votes  as  the  Republican 
candidate;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  17,289;  Banks'  majority 
over  Judson,  1,465  votes,  ]\Iay  2. 

Charter  election.  Mayor,  A.  Bleecker  Banks ;  Common  Council : 
George  Krank,  I.  John  G.  Schneider,  II.  James  H.  Simmons, 
III.  William  H.  Keeler,  IV.  Henry  Van  Hoesen,  V.  Robert 
K.  Oliver,  VI.  Sylvanus  H.  PI.  Parsons,  VII.  Thomas  A. 
Becket,  VIII.  Patrick  Dillon,  IX.  Conrad  Degen,  X.  John 
A.  Lubv.  XL  Thomas  Cavanaugh,  XII.  Christian  Schurr, 
XIII.  John  P.  Bradt,  XIV.  Michael  J.  Gorman,  XV.  Lliram 
Bender,  XVI.  John  A.  Luby  (XI),  president.  Election,  April 
1 1 ;  sworn  in,  ^lay  2. 

Albany  High  School  dedicated.  Eagle,  Columbia  and  Steuben  streets, 

May  4. 

Rev.  William  Buel  Sprague,  D.  D.,  long  the  pastor  of  Second  Pres- 
byterian Church  and  author  of  the  6  volumes,  "  Annals  of  the 
American  Pulpit."  1857,  (b.  Andover,  Conn.,  Oct.  16,  1795), 
dies  at  Flushing,  N.  Y.,  May  7. 

Albany  Yacht  Club  organized.  May. 

Third  Division  Rifle  Ass'n,  range  at  Forbes,  chartered. 

Steamboat  City  of  Troy,  Citizens'  Line  of  Troy,  built  by  John  Englis 
of  New  York;  1,527  tons,  300  feet  long,  36  feet  broad,  10  feet 
deep,  60  X  144  in.  engine,  June. 

Deed  from  Great  Western  Turnpike  Road  Co.  to  Board  of  Commis- 
sioners of  Washington  Park,  conveying  that  portion  of  turnpike 
between  Snipe  street  and  Manning  boulevard,  dated      June  15. 

Carpet-beetle,   (Anthrenus  scrophularioe)   appears,  June. 

Prof.  Lewis  Boss  made  director  of  the  Dudley  Observator\'.    July  1 . 

Ezrs.  Parmelee  Prentice,  banker  and  owner  of  the  handsome  hillside 
estate.  Mount  Hope,  north  of  Kenwood,  dies,  July  10. 

Beavcwyck  Rowing  Club  wins  the  Centennial  Internationa^         itta, 

1st. 

Lexington  avenue  changed  from  Snipe  street,  4. 

State  Fair,  the  36th    (Edwin  Thorn,   Pres.)    held  at   Alb,  6th 

time). 

Ten  Broeck  place  changed  from  Third  street,  ^     )t.  18. 


672  ANTHONY    BLEECKER    BANKS.  No.  53. 

1876-1877. 


St.  Peter's  tower,  memorial  of  John  Tweddle,  dedicated,     Sept.  29. 
Home  for  Aged  Men,  Troy  road,  incorporated,  Oct.  5. 

Western  avenue  construction  begun,  Nov.  16. 

Adelphi  Club  moves  from  South  Pearl  street  to  Adelphi  Hall  on 

Green  street. 
Charles  Fetcher  plays  at  Leland  Opera  House,  Nov.  22. 

Division  street  theatre  burned,  Dec.  8. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  10. 

Trinity  (M.  E.)  Church,  n.  w.  Lark  and  Lancaster,  dedicated, 

Dec.  28. 


1877. 


Lucius  Robinson   (elected  Nov.  7,   1876)    inaugurated  Governor, 

Jan.  I. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time  for  the  year  —  Mayor, 
A.  Bleecker  Banks ;  Common  Council :  George  Krank,  L  John 
G.  Schneider,  H.  James  H.  Simmons,  HL  William  H.  Keeler, 
IV^.  Henry  Van  Hoesen,  V.  Robert  K.  Oliver,  VL  Svlvanus 
H.  H.  Parsons,  VH.  Thomas  A.  Becket,  VHL  Patrick'Dillon, 
IX.  Conrad  Degen,  X.  John  A.  Luby,  XL  Thomas  Cava- 
nagh,  XH.  Christian  Schurr,  XHL  John  P.  Bradt,  XIV. 
Michael  J.  Gorman,  XV.  Lliram  Bender,  XVI.  John  A.  Luby 
(XI).  president.     Holding  office  on,  Jan.   i. 

Executive  Mansion  property,  west  side  of  Eagle  and  south  of  Elm 
street,  bought  by  the  State  for  Governor's  residence. 

Child's  Hospital  opened  in  dwelling,  south  side  of  Elk  street, 

Feb.  12. 

Tabernacle  Baptist  Church,  n.  w.  corner  Ten  Broeck  street  and  Clin- 
ton avenue,  dedicated,  Feb.  14. 

John  F.  Smyth  appointed  State  superintendent  of  insurance,  Feb.  16. 

Louis  D.  Pilsbury  appointed  (the  first)  superintendent  of  State 
prisons,  Feb.  17. 

"  Daily  Press  "  first  issued  by  Farrell,  Rooker  and  Macfarlane, 

Feb.  26. 

Charles  street  changed  from  Johnson  alley,  March  19. 

West  End  Presbyterian  Church  dedicated,  March  25. 

River  opened  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  26. 

Y.  M.  A.  moves  from  Martin  Hall  to  s.  w.  corner  Pearl  and  Steuben. 

St.  Agnes'  cemetery  (Peter  Cagger,  pres.)  incorporated.        May  9. 

Argus  first  issues  Sunday  edition,  May  13. 


ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH  TOWER. 

The  tower  was  erected  in  1875-6,  to  the  memory  of  John  Tweddle,  a 
prominent  citizen  and  warden,  who  died  Mch.  9,  1875  :  designed  by 
Richard  M.  Upjohn  ;  French  Gothic  ;  height,  180  ft.  :  dedicated  Nov. 
I,  1876.     Chimes  given  by  Geo.  Tweddle,  Dec.  25,  1875. 


Xo.  53-  ANTiioxY   5',li:ecki:r  banks.  673 


1877. 


Steamboat  Win.  M.  Whitney,  of  Troy  line,  put  on. 

Steamboat  Saratoga,  of  Citizens'  Line  of  Troy,  built  by  John  I^iglis 

of  New  York,  1,438  tons,  300  x  36  x  10  feet,  60  x  144  in.  engine. 
Post-office  removed  from  North  Pearl  street  to  north  end  of  Dcla- 

van  House,  May  26. 

Albany  Medical  College  purchases  Lancashire  School.  Eagle  street. 
South   Pearl  street,   Gansevoort  street   to   Prentice   place,   changed 

from  Bethlehem  Turnpike,  June   18. 

Elm  tree  of  enormous  proportions,   (n.  w.  corner  State  and  Pearl 

streets )  supposedly  planted  by  Philip  Livingston.  1735.  removed 

on  paving  the  street. 
Rifle  range  leased    (until  June,    1880)    on  Genet   farm.   Greenbush 

(  Rensselaer). 
Albany  Pair  Grounds,  on  Troy  Road,  laid  out. 
Albany  Baseball  Club  (of  no  league)  plays  at  Fair  Grounds  on  Troy 

road. 
Railroad  riots  at  West  Albany,  July  23-28 

Tenth  Regiment  serves  at  Black  Rock  cut.  West  Albany,   during 

strike  of  Central  railroad  employees,  July  24. 

Jackson  Corps  guards  upper  bridge  during  railroad  riots. 
John   H.   Farrell  buys   "  The    Knickerbocker "   and   consolidates   it 

with  "The  Daily  Press,"  Aug.   11. 

The  Press  Company  buys  "The  Knickerbocker."  Aug.   15. 

Albany  Railwa}^  extends  tracks  of  horse-cars  on  Madison  avenue  as 

far  westward  as  Quail  street,  Oct.  10. 

Police  department  telephones  first  in  operation,  Oct.  15. 

Saratoga  Monument  coroner-stone  laid  on  centennial  anniversary  of 

the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  of  rock-faced  granite,  154  feet  high, 

obelisk  in  form,  40  feet  square  at  base,  staircase  to  summit. 

places  for  four  statues,  one  of  which  occupied  by  an  equestrian 

statue  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler ;  orators  on  the  occasion,  Hon. 

Horatio  Seymour  and  George  William  Curtis,  Oct.  17. 

Western  avenue  improvement  completed,  Oct.   18. 

Excessive  rainfall  of  7.86.  local  average  being  3.17  in.  monthly. 

October. 
"  Nicky  "  De  Freest  killed  by  train  at  the  Broadway  crossing, 

Nov.  I. 
Death  of  Chancellor  John  V.  L.  Pruyn  at  Clifton  Springs,  N.  Y., 

whither  he  had  gone  in  October  for  his  health.     He  was  a  man 

of   rare   attainments  and   most  beneficent,   born   at   Albany   on 

June  22,  181 1,  of  a  Dutch  family  resident  here  two  centuries; 

admitted  to  bar  Jan.  13.  1832,  and  forming  a  partnership  with 

Henry  H.  Martin  in  1833  ;  appointed  Regent  Alay.  1844.  serving 

33  years,  and  made  Chancellor  Januar\',  1862,  serving  15  vears ; 


6/4  ANTHONY    BLEECKER    BANKS.  No.  53. 

1877-1878,  1884. 

first  president  State  Board  of  Charities ;  for  25  years  president 
of  The  Albany  Institute;  elected  (Dem.)  to  State  senate,  1861, 
giving  salary  to  poor;  Congressman,  1863-65,  1867-69;  a 
director  of  the  first  railroad,  Moh.  &  Hud. ;  drew  up  the  articles 
consolidating  several  railroads  to  form  the  N.  Y.  Central,  1853  ; 
one  of  original  commissioners  of  new  Capital  and  laid  the  first 
stone,  July  7,  1869;  earliest  public  advocate  of  Washington 
Park;  residence  at  No.  13  Elk  St.,  Nov.  21. 

Unique  baby  show  of  wide  interest  at  Tweddle  Hall,  Dec.  21. 

First  Lieut.  Horatio  P.  Stacpole  made  captain,  Dec.  19. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  29. 


1878. 


John  O.  Cole,  the  first  president  of  Board  of  Public  Instruction  and 
the  second  superintendent  of  city  schools,  dies,  Jan.  4. 

Extra  pump-engine  for  Prospect  reservoir  first  operated,       Feb.  6. 

Charles  W.  Cole  (later  to  be  superintendent  of  city  schools)  ap- 
pointed a  teacher  in  the  High  School. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  7. 

Home  for  Aged  Men,  west  side  of  Troy  road,  Menands,  dedicated, 

March  28. 

Michael  Nicholas  Nolan  elected  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter 
election,  receiving  8,916  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  his 
opponent.  Nelson  H.  Chase,  receiving  5,358  votes  as  the  Inde- 
pendent Labor  Democrat ;  William  A.  Young  receiving  4,540 
votes  as  the  Republican  candidate ;  total  number  of  votes  cast, 
18,814;  Nolan's  majority  over  Chase  being  3,558,  he  is  declared 
elected  mayor,  April  9. 

•         •         • 

(See  No.  5j..) 


(Continued  from  No.  54.) 
1884. 


A.  Bleecker  Banks  sworn  in  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  having  been 
elected  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  9th,  when  he  re- 
ceived 10,098  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  his  opponent, 
John  Swinburne,  M.  D.,  receiving  9,848  votes  as  the  Republican 


ALL  SAINTS'  CATHEDRAL. 

Instituted  by  Rt.  Rev.  Wm.  Croswell  Doane  on  becoming  bishop  of  the 
Episcopal  Diocese  of  Albany,  Feb.  2,  1869  ;  service  first  held  in  chapel 
(n.  w.  cor.  Elk  and  Hawk  sts.)  Nov.  i,  1872  ;  incorporated  Mch.  z-j ,  1873  ; 
R.  W.  Gibson's  plans  adopted  Apr.  30,  1883;  land  at  Swan.  Elk  and 
Lafayette  sts.,  valued  at  $80,000,  given  by  Mayor  Erastus  Corning,  Nov. 
28,  18S3  ;  cornerstone  laid  June  3,  1884  ;  dedicated  Nov.  20,  1888. 


No.  53.  ANTPIONY    BLEECKER    BANKS.  6/5 

1884. 

candidate ;  blank  and  scattering  52  votes ;  total  number  of  votes 
cast,  19,998;  Banks'  majority  over  Swinburne  being'  250  vote:;-, 

May  6. 

Charter  election.  INTayor.  A.  Bleecker  Banks:  Common  Council: 
Augustus  Whitman,  I.  Jeremiah  Kieley,  II.  Thomas  F  Cor- 
coran. III.  James  Lyons,  IV.  Thomas  E.  Dearstyne,  V. 
-  Galen  R,  Hitt,  Vl.  John  Mullon,  ATI.  John  Judge,  VIII. 
Patrick  Cahill,  IX.  James  Rooney,  X.  George  S.  Tice,  XI. 
Patrick  McCann,  XII.  Samuel  C.  Harris,  XIII.  David  J. 
X'orton.  XR'.  James  Thornton.  XA'.  Richard  Hunter,  X\T. 
John  H.  Adams,  XVII.  X^orman  L.  Snow,  Robert  H.  Moore, 
fat-large)  :  X'orman  L.  .Snow  (at-large),  president.  Election, 
April  9 :  sworn  in.  May  6. 

Tweddle  Building,  n.  w.  corner  State  and  Pearl  streets,  opened  as 
office  building  with  stores  opening  on  street,  having  been  a  hall, 

May. 

James  L.  Hyatt  commissioned  captain  of  Co.  C  (Co.  K  of  loth  Reg.), 

June  2. 

All  Saints'  Cathedral  corner-stone  laid  by  Bishop  Doane  at  its  north- 
eastern end.  in  presence  of  the  Governor  and  officials,       June  3. 

Gov.  Grover  Cleveland  serenaded  by  Tenth  Reg't  band  on  night  of 
his   nomination  at   Chicago   to   Presidency,  J'-ity    H- 

Companies  D  and  K  (  C)  of  10th  Battalion  participate  in  State  camp 
service  near  Peekskill  under  Edgar  V.  Denison  and  James  L. 
Hyatt.  July  5-12. 

John  -Maloy,  chief  of  police  many  years,  dies  at  his  home,  57  Maiden 
Lane,  July  22. 

Isaiah  Page,  ])roprielor  of  a  large  iron  casting  manufactory  and 
foundry  on  east  side  of  Liberty  street,  dies  at  home.  No.  775 
Madison  avenue,  J'-ily  --• 

Salvation  Army  leases  and  holds  its  meetings  at  Hidley  Hall,  s.  w. 
corner  Broadway  and  Steuben  street.  Captains  Osborn  and  Ren- 
nick,  speakers,  and  Lieutenant  Levick,  cornist,  at  army's  first 
opening  in  city  July  27. 

Gov.  Grover  Cleveland  notified  at  Executive  Mansion  of  his  nomi- 
nation at  Chicago  as  Presidential  nominee  on  Democratic  ticket, 
W.  r.  A'ilas,  president  of  the  committee,  notifving.  at  3  p.  m., 

July  29. 

Thomas  Willard  appointed  chief  of  police  to  succeed  John  Maloy. 
who  died  on  the  22nd,  July  29. 


676  ANTHONY    BLEECKER    BANKS.  No.  53. 


1884-1885. 


Steamboat  Eagle  (Albany  &  Newbiirgh  line)  burns  to  water's  edge 
while  bound  north  near  Milton  (built  at  Brooklyn  in  1852,  of 
338  tons),  Aug.  2. 

Albany  Institute  secretary  as  delegate,  invited,  attends  laying  corner- 
stone of  Bartholdi's  statue  of  "  Liberty  Enlightening  the 
World,"  on  Bedloe's  island,  William  Allen  Butler  (former  Al- 
bany lawyer)  delivering  American  address,  Aug.  5. 

Gen.  John  A.  Logan,  on  his  vice-presidential  (Rep.)  campaign  tour 
(Blaine  and  Logan),  welcomed  at  depot,  Aug.  11. 

Adam  Van  Allen  (president  of  First  National  Bank)  dies  at  his 
home  (No.  40  Lancaster  street),  Aug.  11. 

Wheelmen's  meet  of  considerable  importance  held  at  Island  Park  by 
the  Albany  Bicycle  Club,  Sept.   10. 

Ex-Secretary  of  State  James  G.  Blaine,  on  his  Presidential  cam- 
paign tour,  stops  here  for  20  minutes  on  way  New  York  city 
to  Ohio,  and  7,000  hear  him  speak  at  depot,  Sept.  24. 

Gen.  Benjamin  F.  Butler  on  campaign  tour,  speaks  in  Capitol  park 
at  3  p.  m.,  and  in  evening  in  tent  erected  on  Hudson  avenue, 

Sept. 29. 

Albany  Philharmonic  Society  (orchestra)  organized,  fall  of  year. 

Co.  K  of  loth  Battalion  changed  to  Co.  C. 

Schuyler  Mansion  sold  by  Auctioneer  Dickerman  for  $5,500  to  Lan- 
sing Pendleton,  Jr.,  Oct.  30. 

Gov.  Grover  Cleveland  (following  his  election  as  President  on  Nov. 
4th')  serenaded  at  Executive  Mansion,  Nov.  10. 

Albany  Hospital  for  Incurables  incorporated,  Nov.   14. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  iq. 


1885. 


Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  for  the  year ;  but  not 
elected  at  this  date  —  Mayor,  A.  Bleecker  Banks ;  Common 
Council :  Augustus  Whitman,  I.  Jeremiah  Kieley,  II.  Thomas 
F.  Corcoran,  III.  James  Lyons,  IV.  Thomas  E.  Dearstyne,  V. 
Galen  R.  Hitt,  VI.  John  Alullon,  VII.  Thomas  J.  Judge,  VIII. 
Patrick  Cahill,  IX.  James  Rooney,  X.  George  S.  Tice,  XL 
Patrick  McCann,  XII.  Samuel  C.  Harris,  XIII.  David  J. 
Norton,  XIV.  James  Thornton,  XV.  Richard  Hunter,  XVI. 
John  H.  Adams,  XVII.  Norman  L.  Snow,  Robert  H.  Moore, 
(at-large),  Samuel  C.  Harris  (XIII),  president.  Holding  office 
on,  Jan.  i. 

Gov.  Grover  Cleveland  resigns  to  become  President,  Jan.  6. 


PRUYN  ALTAR  AND  REREDOS. 

This  is  one  of  the  works  of  art  in  the  city  and  was  placed  in  St.  Peter's 
Church  in  1885  by  the  late  Charles  Lansing  Pruyii.  Designed  by 
Richard  M.  Upjohn  ;  figures  sculptured  by  Louis  Si.  Gaudcns. 


No.  53.  ANTHONY    BLEECKER    BANKS.  (^^J 

1885. 

Lieut. -Gov.  David  B.  Hill  becomes  Governor,  Jan.  6. 

Average  rainfall  38.04  inches  for  ten  years  previous  to  this  year. 

Average  temperature  48.23  for  ten  years  previous  to  this  year. 

Steamer  St.  John  burned  at  New  York  city,  Jan.  23. 

Albany  Press  Club  (No.  25  Beaver  street)  organized. 

Jackson  Corps  participates  in  inaugural  parade  of  Cleveland, 

March  4. 

Driven  well  system  on  flats  north  of  city  authorized. 

Daniel  Manning  made  secretary  of  treasury  by  Cleveland,     March. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  Oren  E.  Wilson  its  (  loth)  presi- 
dent (succeeding  P.  J.  Flinn  of  1884). 

Hugh  J.  McDonald  appointed  (3rd)  superintendent  of  school  build- 
ings (succeeding  A.  Sayles  of  1879). 

Andrew  S.  Draper  appointed  State  superintendent  of  public  instruc- 
tion, April  6. 

"  The  Cue,"  first  published  by  Albany  Academy  students  (  Cuyler 
Reynolds,  editor-in-chief),  April  9. 

Holland  Society  (Albert  Vander  Veer,  M.  D.,  vice-pres.)   founded. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  April  8. 

Ronan  Towing  Line  started. 

Seventeen-year  locusts,  (Cicada-Septemdecim). 

Albany  Rifle  Association  (J.  W.  Freschknecht,  pres.)  organized. 

National  Commercial  Bank  elects  Robert  Clarence  Pruyn  (seventh) 
president  (D.  Manning,  resigned).  May  23. 

Ridgefield  Athletic  Club  grounds  opened,  June  16. 

Boardman  &  Gray  piano  factory  (North  Pearl  street,  e.  side  n.  of 
Wilson  street)  burned,  July  12. 

Companies  A  and  B  participate  in  State  camp  service  near  Peekskill 
Capts.  John  H.  Reynolds  and  Horatio  P.  Stacpole),    July  11 -18. 

Gen.  \5.  S.  Grant  dies  in  Drexel  cottage  on  ^Mount  MacGregor, 
Saratoga,  July  23. 

Gen.  \J .  S.  Grant's  body  in  state  in  Capitol  (Senate  entrance), 

Aug.  4-5. 

State  Fair,  tlie  45th  (James  W.  Wadsworth.  pres.)  held  at  Albany 
(8th  time). 

Normal  School  building  on  Willett  street  first  occupied,    September. 

Albany  Railway  lays  tracks  on  Lark  street  from  Washington  avenue 
to  Hamilton  street,  November. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  8. 

St.  Peter's  Church  Pruyn  memorial  altar  and  rcredos  (angels  sculp- 
tured by  Louis  St.  Gaudens  and  remainder  executed  by  Richard 
M.  I'pjohn)  in  memory  of  Elizabeth  ATcClintock  Pruyn  (died 
Dec.  20.  1884)  ]M-esented  by  Robert  C.  and  Charles  L.  Pruyn. 


6/8  ANTHONY    BLEECKER    BANKS.  No.  53. 

1886. 


1886. 

Hon.  John  A.  McCall  resigns  as  State  superintendent  of  insurance 
(appointed  April  23,  1883),  to  become  on  this  day  comptroller 
of  Equitable  Life  Insurance  Co.  in  New  York,  Jan.  i. 

Hugh  J.  McDonald   (3rd  superintendent  of  school  buildings)   dies, 

Jan.  21. 

Albany  Chess  Club  organized.  February. 

Albany  Press  Club  (John  A.  Sleicher,  pres.)  organized,  March. 

Albany  County  Wheelmen  organized,  March  17. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  27. 

Albany  Savings  Bank  elects  Joshua  Howard  King  its  (7th)  presi- 
dent (succeeding  Henry  H.  Martin  of  1882),  April  10. 

John  Boyd  Thacher  elected  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  election, 
receiving  10,510  votes  as  the  Democratic  cadidate;  his  opponent, 
Edward  A.  Durant,  Jr.,  receiving  8,981  votes  as  the  Republican 
candidate ;  Frederick  F.  Wheeler  receiving  55  votes  as  the  Inde- 
pendent candidate ;  blank  and  scattering,  14  votes ;  total  number 
of  votes  cast,  19.560;  Thacher's  majority  over  Durant  being 
1,529  votes,  he  is  declared  elected  mayor,  April  13. 


(See  No.  56.) 


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No.  54. 


May  7,  1878  — May  3.  1  880. 
May4,  1880— May  1,  1882. 
May  2,  1882— Jvine24,    1883. 


No.  54. 
AIICHAEL    NICHOLAS    NOLAN.. 

Date  of  office:     (a)    May  7,  1878-^Iay  3,  1880. 

(b)  May  4,  1880-May  i,  1882. 

(c)  May  2,   1882-June  24,   1883.    (resigns). 
Date  of  election:     (a)   April  9,  1878. 

(b)  April  13,  1880. 

(c)  April  II,  1882. 
Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     (a)  8,916. 

(b)  12,275. 

(c)  9.339- 

Opponent:     (a)    Nelson  H.  Chase,      (aa)   William  A.  Young. 

(b)  George  A.  Birch,      (bb)    Scattering. 

(c)  John  Swinburne,      (cc)    Scattering". 

Political  party:     (a)    Independent   Labor  Democrat,      (aa)   Repub- 
lican. 

(b)  Republican. 

(c)  Republican. 
Vote:     (a)    5,358.      (aa)   4,540. 

(b)  7,582.      (bb)   31. 

(c)  9,221.      (cc)    18. 
Total  vote:     (a)    18.814. 

(b)  19,888. 

(c)  18,578. 
Date  of  birth:     May  4.  1834. 
Place  of  birth:     Carlow,  Ireland. 

Parents:     Lawrence  (N.)  and  Anne  Healey. 

Education:     Public  schools. 

Married  to:     Anne  Elizabeth  Ouinn. 

Date:     Albany,  September  8,   1861. 

Children:  (7)  Maria  Teresa  (Hawke),  Katharine,  Anne  Elizabeth 
(Haubold),  Helen  Jennings,  Jane  Elizabeth  (Riddle),  Fran- 
cis Joseph,  Blanche  Mary. 

Residence:     No.  53  Ten  Broeck  street. 

Occupation:     President  Beverwyck  Brewery. 

Religion:     Roman  Catholic. 

Died:     May  31,  1905. 

Place  of  burial:     St.  Agnes'  Cemetery. 

Remarks:  School  No.  17  completed,  1878.  School  No.  25  com- 
pleted, 1878.  School  No.  20  completed,  1880.  City  Hall 
destroyed  by  fire,  February  10,  1880.  School  No.  8  com- 
pleted, 1 88 1.  Broadway  viaduct  under  New  York  Central 
Railroad  tracks.     Congress,  1881-83. 


I 


54.     MICHAEL  NICHOLAS  NOLAX. 
I 878- I 883. 
From  a  photograph  made  from  life  l)y  The  Albany  Art  Union,  and  owned 
in  1904  by  The  Albany  Institute. 


No.  54-  MICHAEL    NICHOLAS    NOLAN.  68e 

1878. 


(Conlinued  from  Xo.  53.) 
1878. 


Michael  Nicholas  Nolan  sworn  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  havins^  been 
chosen  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  9th,  when  he  re- 
ceived 8,916  votes  ;  his  opponent.  Nelson  H.  Chase.  receivini2' 
5,358  votes  as  the  Independent  Labor  Democrat ;  William  A. 
Young  receiving  4,540  votes  as  the  Republican  candidate ;  total 
number  of  votes  cast,  18,814;  Nolan's  majority  over  Chase  being 
3,558  votes,  ^  Alay  7. 

Charter  election.  Mayor,  Michael  N.  Nolan ;  Common  Council : 
John  Zimmermann,  I.  Thomas  B.  Franklin,  II.  William  A. 
Donahoe,  III.  John  T.  Gorman,  lY.  Isaac  Erilleman,  \". 
William  Manson,  VL  James  McKinney,  VH.  James  H.  Han- 
nigan,  VIII.  Patrick  Dillon,  IX.  Conrad  Degen,  X.  David 
M.  Alexander,  XL  Thomas  Cavanagh,  XII.  Theodore  AL 
Amsdell,  XIII.  William  Dey  Ermand,  XIV.  Michael  J.  Gor- 
man, XV.  Allston  Adams,  X\T.  Thomas  Cavanagh  (XII), 
president.     Election,  April  9 ;  sworn  in.  May  7. 

Telephone  "  exchange  "  first  established,  with  one  hundred  members, 
the  first  to  have  machines  installed  at  their  houses  being  about 
seven  doctors,  for  up  to  this  time  it  had  been  seen  here  only 
in  public  halls  where  it  was  shown  as  an  object  of  curiosity. 

May  8. 

Agitation  begun  to  do  away  with  the  New  York  Central  railroad's 
crossing  at  Broadway  near  Colonic  street,  by  the  construction 
of  a  viaduct,  this  place  having  been  rendered  extra  hazardous 
by  the  constantly  increasing  traffic  and  switching  of  freight, 
the  route  being  that  taken  by  funerals  on  their  way  to  the 
Troy  Road  and  the  crossing  a  scene  of  numerous  accidents  and 
annoying  delays.  May  10. 

The  end  came  to  Prof.  Joseph  Henry,  Albanian  and  America's 
greatest  scientist,  after  about  a  year  of  illness,  while  living  at 
his  home  in  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  was  Secretary  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution.  His  death  and  funeral  are  of  national 
concern,  the  latter  participated  in  by  the  President,  his  cabinet 
and  all  the  official  foreign  representatives.  Two  weeks  previ- 
ously he  had  said,  in  contemplating  his  illness:  "I  hope  I 
have  been  able  to  do  some  good,"  and  spoke  of  the  amoimr  of 
work  awaiting  his  accomplishment.  Although  he  had  perfected 
more  than  one  thousand  actual  experiments  that  tended  to  the 


682  MICHAEL   NICHOLAS   NOLAN.  No.  54. 

1878. 


world's  advancement,  he  felt  that  he  had  accomplished  but  the 
half  of  what  he  felt  his  capable  brain  competent  to  bring  forth, 
and  although  aged,  of  but  the  prime  of  life  in  his  endeavors. 
It  is  peculiar  that  only  on  April  12th,  he  had  written  to  Mr. 
Joseph  Patterson  of  Philadelphia  about  the  encouragement  that 
his  physician  had  held  out  to  him  in  that  he  hoped  to  be  able  to 
go  abroad  the  coming  summer,  and  then,  for  nine-tenths  of  his 
long  letter,  barely  able  to  manipulate  a  pen,  the  uremic  acid 
affecting  his  limbs,  he  wrote  as  the  great  scientist  he  was,  con- 
sidering the  fact  that  his  mind  had  solved  the  most  wonderful 
problems  of  his  age,  his  thoughts  on  death  and  a  future  condi- 
tion, in  the  following  vein,  so  well  worthy  of  dwelling  upon : 
"We  live  in  a  universe  of  change:    nothing  remains  the  same 
from  one  moment  to  another,  and  each  moment  of  recorded  time 
has  its  separate  history.     We  are  carried  on  by  the  ever-chang- 
ing events  in  the  line  of  our  destiny,  and  at  the  end  of  the  year 
we  are  always  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  point  of  its 
beginning.      How    short  the   space   between   the   two   cardinal 
points  of  an  earthly  career !  — the  point  of  birth  and  that  of 
death  ;  and  yet  what  a  universe  of  wonders  is  presented  to  us 
in  our  rapid  flight  through  this  space !     How  small  the  wisdom 
obtained   by  a   single   life   in   its   passage,  and   how   small  the 
known,  when  compared  with  the  unknown,  by  the  accumulation 
of  the  millions  of  lives,  through  the  art  of  printing,  in  hundreds 
of  years !     How  many  questions  press  themselves  upon  us  in 
the   contemplations   whence   come   we,   whither   are   we   going, 
what  is  our  final  destiny,  the  object  of  our  creation?     What 
mysteries  of  unfathomable   depths   environ  us  on  every  side ! 
I>ut,  after  all  our  speculations,  and  an  attempt  to  grapple  with 
the   problem   of   the   universe,    the   simplest   conception   which 
explains  and  connects  the  phenomena  is  that  of  the  existence 
of  one  Spiritual   I3eing — infinite  in  wisdom,  in  power,  and  all 
divine  perfections,  which  exists  always  and  everywhere — which 
has    created   us   with    intellectual    faculties    sufticient,    in    some 
degree,   to  comprehend  His  operations  as   they  are  developed 
in  Nature  by  what  is  called  "  Science."   This  Being  is  unchange- 
able, and,  therefore.  His  operations  are  always  in  accordance 
with  the  same   laws,  the  conditions  being  the   same.     Events 
that  happened  a  thousand  years  ago  will  happen  again  a  thou- 
sand years  to  come,  provided  the  condition  of  existence  is  the 
same.     Indeed,   a  universe  not  governed  by  law  would  be  a 
universe  without  the  evidence  of  an  intellectual  director.     In 
the  scientific  explanation  of  physical  phenomena,  we  assume  the 


I 


JOSEPH  HENRY,  SCIENTIST. 

When  this  illustrious  Albanian,  the  discoverer  of  the 
electric  telegraph,  died  at  Washington,  on  May  13,  1878, 
it  was  universal  judgment  that  he  was  the  greatest  scientist 
of  the  age  in  America. 


No.  54-  MICHAEL    MCllULAS    NOLAN.'  683 

1878. 


existence  of  a  principle  having  properties  sufficient  to  produce 
the  effects  which  we  observe  ;  and  when  the  principle  so  assumed 
explains,  by  logical  deductions  from  it,  all  the  phenomena,  we 
call  it  a  theory.  Thus,  we  have  the  theory  of  light,  the  theory 
of  electricity,  etc.  There  is  no  proof,  however,  of  the  truth  of 
these  theories,  except  the  explanation  of  the  phenomena  which 
they  are  invented  to  account  for.  This  proof,  however,  is  suf- 
ficient in  any  case  in  which  every  fact  is  fully  explained,  and 
can  be  predicted  when  the  conditions  are  known.  In  accord- 
ance with  this  scientific  view,  on  what  evidence  does  the  exist- 
ence of  a  creator  exist?  First.  It  is  one  of  the  truths  best 
established  by  experience  in  my  own  mind,  that  I  have  a  think- 
ing, willing  principle  within  me,  capable  of  intellectual  activity 
and  of  moral  feeling.  Second.  It  is  equally  clear  to  me  that 
you  have  a  similar  spiritual  principle  within  yourself,  since 
when  I  ask  you  an  intelligent  question  you  give  me  an  intellectual 
answer.  Third.  When  I  examine  the  operations  of  Nature,  I 
find  everywhere  through  them  evidences  of  intellectual  arrange- 
ments, of  contrivances  to  reach  definite  ends,  precisely  as  I  find 
in  the  operations  of  man  ;  and  hence  I  infer  that  these  two  classes 
of  operations  are  results  of  similar  intelligence.  Again,  in  my 
own  mind,  I  find  ideas  of  right  and  wrong,  of  good  and  evil. 
These  ideas  exist  in  the  universe,  and,  therefore,  form  a  basis 
of  our  ideas  of  a  moral  universe.  Furthermore,  the  concep- 
tions of  good  which  are  found  among  our  ideas  associated  with 
evil,  can  be  attributed  only  to  a  Being  of  infinite  perfections,  like 
that  which  we  denominate  '  God '."  He  was  born  on  the  south 
side  of  Division  street,  west  of  Green  street, of  Scotch  ancestors; 
his  father,  William  Henry,  dying  when  he  was  a  boy,  and  his 
mother  bringing  him  up  in  accord  with  the  strictest  of  Presby- 
terian doctrines.  He  studied  at  the  Albany  Academy,  taught 
a  district  school  at  Selkirk  two  years,  was  apprenticed  to  a 
jeweler  for  a  time  and  was  a  tutor  at  the  Van  Rensselaer  Manor 
House.  On  Sept.  ii,  1826,  he  became  professor  of  natural 
sciences  at  the  Albany  Academy,  and  in  1828  discovered  the 
principle  of  his  wonderful  "  intensity  "  magnet  which  made  it 
possible  to  operate  electrical  mechanism  at  any  distance  over  a 
wire.  He  exhibited  his  magnetic  "  spool  "  or  "  bobbin,"  that 
useful  form  of  coil  in  electro-magnetism,  before  The  Albany 
Institute  in  ]\Iarcli,  ^'^2<),  and  perfecting  it  to  exert  greater 
power,  had  his  paper,  descriptive  of  it,  printed  in  Silliman's 
American  Journal  of  Science  in  January,  183 1.  He  saw  the 
value    of   the    discovery    in    that   by    being   able    to   attract    by 


684  MICHAEL    NICHOLAS    NOLAN.  No.  54. 

1878. 

magnet  at  a  distance,  hold  a  weight  even  of  a  thousand  pounds 
and  release  it  by  opening  of  the  circuit,  he  could  make  an  elec- 
trical telegraph,  or  communicate  signals  by  this  method.  Fol- 
lowing his  conception  of  the  telegraph  in  1828,  he  strung  about 
two  miles  of  wire,  which  he  had  insulated  from  contact,  about 
the  large  room,  second  fioor,  of  the  Albany  Academy  in  July, 
1829,  and  by  a  metal  lever  striking  upon  a  small  bell,  operated 
through  this  long  stretch  of  wire,  he  demonstrated  to  his  class 
the  feasibility  of  an  electric  telegraph,  and  the  "  sounder  "  of 
the  century  following  is  but  a  commercial  form  of  this  original 
instrument.  Prof.  James  Hall,  late  State  geologist,  testified  to 
seeing  this  apparatus  working  successfully  there  in  August, 
1832.  He  left  Albany  in  November,  1832,  to  join  the  faculty 
of  the  College  of  New  Jersey  (Princeton)  and  made  discoveries 
there  that  were  of  great  practical  benefit.  He  became  first 
Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  at  Washington,  D.  C, 
on  Dec.  3,  1846,  and  organized  it  on  his  plan,  as  submitted 
Dec.  8,  1847,  o^  lines  he  believed  the  late  James  Smithson  in- 
tended under  his  will.  He  established  the  Lighthouse  Board, 
at  the  head  of  which  he  was  for  twenty-five  years ;  studied  the 
laws  afl^ecting  signals  by  sound  at  sea  to  avert  danger ;  inaug- 
urated the  system  of  mapping  the  weather  and  sending  out  fore- 
casts all  over  the  country.  He  was  elected  president  of  these 
bodies  :  American  Association  for  the  x\dvancement  of  Science, 
1849;  United  States  National  Academy  of  Sciences,  1868;  Phil- 
osophical Society  of  Washington,  1871.  President  Hayes,  his 
cabinet  and  all  the  ambassadors  with  their  suites  attended  the 
funeral  and  he  was  buried  in  Oakhill  Cemetery,  Georgetown,  on 
the  i6th.  A  public  commemoration  service  was  held  in  the 
House  of  Representatives,  Vice-President  Wheeler  presiding, 
and  the  President  among  the  auditors,  on  ]\Iay  17th.  The  ad- 
dresses delivered  on  this  memorable  occasion  were  gathered  and 
printed  in  a  volume  of  large  size,  containing  528  pages,  and 
"published  by  order  of  Congress"  in  1880.  A  list  of  a  line 
index  of  his  scientific  publications,  covers  ten  pages  in  this 
book.  A  bronze  statue  by  Sculptor  W.  W.  Story  was  erected 
later  in  the  Smithsonian's  grounds  by  the  U.  S.  Government, 
and  when  each  State  was  requested  to  present  two  statues  to 
the  collection  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  his  likeness  was 
one  of  the  two  chosen  from  the  Empire  State.  The  day  before 
his  death  he  rested  in  slumber  but  awoke  when  his  friend,  Prof. 
Simon  Newcomb,  the  astronomer,  was  standing  by  his  bed,  and 


Xo.  54.  MICHAEL    NICHOLAS    NOLAN.  685 


1878-1879. 


not  only  asked  whether  the  observation  of  the  transit  of  Mercury 
had  been  a  success,  but  inquired  about  the  chance  for  an  ap- 
propriation for  future  observations.  On  the  day  of  his  death, 
his  mind  reverted  to  experiments  at  sea,  and  the  last  thing  he 
gave  utterance  to  was  to  ask  the  direction  of  the  wind.  He  was 
then  in  a  semi-conscious  condition,  and  died  at   12:10  o'clock, 

May  13. 

New  edifice  declared  officially  the  State  Capitol,  May  14. 

Rifle  range  leased  on  Genet  farm.  Greenbush  Heights  (Rensselaer), 
opened  in  the  spring. 

Kenmore  Hotel  opened  at  s.  w.  corner  Xorth  Pearl  and  Columbia 
streets. 

Telephone  exchange  established  here,  the  3rd  in  United  States, 

May  22. 

Albany   Baseball    Club   of    Professionals,    Greenbush   grounds,    or- 
ganized. 

Steamboat  J.  G.  Sanders  put  on  Albany  &  Troy  Line. 

Albany  Tennis  Club  organized. 

Gasworks  at  North  Albany  blown  down  during  gale,  and  parts  car- 
ried across  the  river.  July  21. 

Prospect  Hill  reservoir,  north  of  Central  avenue  and  east  of  Colby 
street,  containing  7,000,000  gallons,  built. 

Gen.  John  Tayler  Cooper,  a  most  prominent  citizen,  dies,     Aug.  13. 

^Mutual  Rowing  Club  wins  at  National  regatta,  Newark,  N.  J., 

Aug.  20. 

Jackson  Corps  (organized  in  1867)  becomes  military  body. 

School  No.  17  completed. 

School  No.  25  completed. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  appoints   Charles  ^^^  Cole  the    (3rd) 
superintendent  of  schools  (succeeding  J.  O.  Cole  of  1869). 

Albany  Railway  elects  Abraham  A^an  Vechten  (fourth)  president, 

Oct.  14. 

Temple  Tabernacle  No.  5,  U.  S.  A.  K.  T.  P.,  instituted. 

Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  organized  in  Albany. 

Lyman   Tremain    (prominent    lawyer   and    State   attorney-general) 
dies,  Nov.  30. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  21. 


1879. 


Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time  for  the  year  —  ]\Iayor, 
Michael  N.  Nolan;  Common  Council:     lohn  Zimmermann,  L 


686  MICHAEL   NICHOLAS   NOLAN.  No.  54. 

1879. 

Thomas  B.  Franklin,  II.  William  A.  Donahoe,  III.  John  T. 
Gorman,  IV.  Isaac  Brilleman,  \'.  William  Manson,  VI. 
James  AIcKinney,  VII.  James  H.  Hannigan,  VIII.  Edwin  V. 
Kirtland,  IX.  Conrad  Degen,  X.  David  M.  Alexander,  XI. 
Thomas  Cavanagh,  XII.  Theodore  M.  Amsdell,  XIII.  William 
Dey  Ermand,  XIV.  Michael  J.  Gorman,  X\\  Allston  Adams, 
XVI.    Thomas  Cavanagh  (XII ),  president.     Holding  office  on, 

Jan.  I. 

N^ew  Capitol  opened  in  part  formal!}'  by  reception,  Jan.  7. 

Peter   Monteath,   prominent   wholesale   grocer   for  half   a   century, 

(b.  Albany,  Oct.  30,  181 1)  dies,  Jan.  13. 

Gilbert  &  Sullivan's  "  Pinafore  "  first  produced,  a  craze,  Leland, 

Feb.  17. 
John  G.  Treadwell  (ist  superintendent  of  school  buildings)  resigns, 

IMarch  3. 
Alexander  Sayles  appointed   (2nd)   superintendent  of  school  build- 
ings (succeeding  J.  G.  Treadwell  of  1872). 
Isaac  Edwards  (school  commissioner)  dies,  Alarch  26 

Albany  Railway's  Central  avenue  stables  burned,  Alarch  28 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  29 

Livingston  avenue  changed  from  Lumber  street,  April  21 

Forester  Gun  Club  organized,  May  6 

Federal  Building   (Post-Office)   corner-stone  laid,  Alay  7 

James  Kidd,  first  president  of  Albany  Railway  and  donor  of  site  of 
Home  for  the  Friendless,  dies  at  his  home,  Xo.  7  Elk  St.. 

May  20, 
Gen.  J.  Meredith  Read  leaves  Greece  (as  V.  S.  minister),  ^lay  28. 
Hudson  River  Line   (formed  in  1862  as  the  Xew  York  &  Albany 

Day  Line,  later  Hudson  River  Day  Line)  incorporated. 
National  Encampment  of  G.  A.  R..  June  17-18. 

Swimming-school  of  Garrett  J.  Benson  opened  on  east  shore. 
Commercial  Telephone  Co.  in  operation,  July. 

Mutual  Rowing  Club  wins  6-oared  at  Xational  regatta,  Saratoga, 

.July  9. 
N.  Y.  State  Xational  I^ank  elects  J.  Howard  King  its  (5th)  presi- 
dent, July  21. 
Grant  (Rep.)  Club  with  3,000  members  organized. 
Emmet  street  changed  from  Laughlin  street,  Sept.  22. 
Episcopal  Church  Congress,  Oct.  20. 
X^athan  D.  Wendell  elected  State  treasurer.  Nov.  6. 
Albany  Musical  Ass'n,  Conductor  John  G.  Parkhurst,  re-organized. 
Dr.  Jas.  H.  Armsby  Memorial,  Washington  park,  unveiled, 

Xov.  25. 


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No.  54.  MICHAEL    NICHOLAS    NOLAN.  687 

1879-1880. 

Ex-Prisoners  of  War  Ass'n  organized  at  Albany,  December. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  20. 

Crops  in  Albany  county  during  season  amount  to  159,200  bushels 
of  corn,  23,128  bushels  of  wheat,  158,600  bushels  of  rye,  17,952 
bushels  of  barley,  787,529  bushels  of  oats,  and  95,137  tons  of 
hay,  Dec.   31. 


1880. 


Alonzo  B.  Cornell  becomes  Governor,  Jan.   i. 

Savings  banks  of  y\lbany  reduce  interest  to  4%,  Jan.    I. 

Population  of  the  city  90,758. 
Population  of  New  York  state  5,084,173. 
Horses  number  9,469  in  Albany  county. 
Farms  number  3,325  in  Albany  county. 
Farms  in  Albany  county  valued  at  $19,898,866. 
Farm  implements  in  Albany  county  valued  at  $1,047,171. 
Farm  products  in  Albany  county  valued  at  $2,783,028. 
"  Game  of  Fifteen  "  interesting  everyone,  January. 

Republican  Club  (Hon.  Hamilton  Harris,  Pres.)  organized,    Jan.  8. 
Albany  Phalanx  (Dem.  political  club)  organized. 
Joel  Alunsell,  noted  local  historian,  collector  and  publisher  of  gene- 
alogies, author  of  "Annals  of  Albany"   (b.  Northfield,  Mass., 
April  14,  1808),  dies  at  Albany,  Jan.  15 

LeGrand  Bancroft  (lawyer)   dies,  Jan.  20 

Charles  Stewart  Parnell  given  a  reception,  Jan.  27 

Fort  Orange  Club  organized  (Erastus  Corning,  Pres.),       Jan.  31 
People's  Gaslight  Co.   (incorporated   1872)    reincorporated    (capital 
$500,000),  Jan.   31 

City  Hall  on  Eagle,  Pine  and  Maiden  Lane,  marble  building  with 
a  dome,  destroyed  by  fire,  ,  Feb.  lo 

People's  Gas  Co.  organized,  March  i 

River  open  to  navigation.  Government  record,  March  3 

Pest-house,  on  Alms-house  grounds,  accepted,  March  6 

Dr.  Edward  Reynolds  Hun  dies,  aged  38,  March  14 

Thomas  Worth  Olcott  (5th  Pres.  M.  &  F.  Bank)  dies,     March  23 
Dr.  Charles  A.  Robertson,  oculist,  dies,  April   i 

Mechanics  &  Farmers'  bank  elects  Dudley  Olcott  its   (6th)    presi- 
dent, April  20 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  railroad  reading-rooms  established.  May  4 


MICHAEL   NICHOLAS    NOLAN.  No.  54. 

1880. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  Michael  N.  Nolan;  Common  Council: 
Peter  Snyder,  I.  Philip  J.  McCormick,  II.  William  A.  Don- 
ahoe.  III.  John  T.  Gorman,  IV.  John  Carey,  V.  Michael  A. 
Murphy,  VI.  James  Carlisle,  \'II.  \'acancy,  VIII.  Alichael 
H.  Murray,  IX.  James  A.  Fahy,  X.  William  McEwan,  XI. 
Robert  Bryce,  Jr.,  XII.  Samuel  C.  Harris,  XIII.  Theodore  D. 
Smith,  Jr.,  XIV.  Joseph  McCann,  XV.  Albert  Gallup,  XVI. 
Henry  C.  Burch,  XVII.  All^ert  Gallup  (XVI),  president. 
Election,  April  13;  sworn  in.  May  4. 

Steamboat  City  of  Catskill  built  by  Van  Loan  &  Magee,  250  x  35 
X  10   feet,   56  X  144  in.   engine. 

Steamboat  Evans  put  on  Castleton  line. 

Sacred  Heart  (R.  C.)  Churcli  dedicated.  May  23. 

Thomas  Fearey  (shoe  manufacturer)  dies,  Ji-^ne  2. 

Rensselaerwyck  Rifle  range  secured  at  Bath-on-Hudson,  June. 

Our  Lady  Help  of  Christians  (R.  C.)   Church  corner  stone  laid, 

June  2y. 

Tweddle  Hall  remodeling  begun,  June  28. 

Fort  Orange  Club  opened  in  1810  house  of  Samuel  Hill,        July  i. 

Steamboat  Albany  of  the  Hudson  River  Day  Line,  running  between 
Albany  and  New  York  city,  built  by  Harlan  &  Hollingsworth 
Co.,  Wilmington,  Del.,  one  of  the  handsomest  and  largest  river 
steamers  afloat ;  hull  of  iron ;  325  feet  long,  breadth  of  beam 
75  feet  overall;  tonnage,  1,415  gross  tons;  engine  by  W.  &  A. 
Fletcher  Co.  with  stroke  of  12  feet  and  diameter  of  cylinder 
73  inches;  steam  steering-gear  to  insure  precision;  interior 
woodwork  of  carved  mahogany,  ash  and  maple ;  making  24.06 
miles  per  hour  on  trial  trip,  arrives  here  for  the  first  time. 

July  3- 
Mutual  Rowing  Club  wins  6-oared  at  National  regatta. 
Calvary  Baptist  Chuch,  High  and  State  sts.,  erected. 
Gen.  James  A.  Garfield,  President,  passes  through,  Aug.  2. 

Albany  Bicycle  Club  organized,  Aug.  24. 

Salvation  Army,  Captain  D.  Ray,  commences  work  in  Albany, 

September. 
State  Fair,  the  40th  ( N.  ]\Iartin  Curtis,  Pres.)  held  at  Albany  (7th 

time). 
Physicians  declare  Beaver  creek  a  dangerous  nuisance  and  petition 

board  of  health,  Sept.    15. 

School  No.  20  completed. 

Grace  (M.  E.)  Church  corner-stone.  Ten  Broeck  st..  laid,     Sept.  21. 
Business  Men's  Association  organized,  Oct.  7. 


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No.  54.  MICHAEL   NICHOLAS    NOLAN.  689 

1880-1881. 


Albany  Railway  elects  John  W.  AIcNamara  (fifth)  president, 

Oct.   II. 

William  'SI.  Woollett  (architect)  dies,  Oct.  17. 

Steamer  Xo.  5  suspended  for  neglect  to  report,  by  Chief  McOnade. 

Nov.  22. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Government  record,  Nov.  25. 

Irish-born  in  Albany  (state  census)  number  12,575  o^  9"j578. 

Railroad  Y.  M.  C.  A.  organized. 

Adelphi  Club  moves  from  Green  street  to  No.  loi  Hudson  ave. 

Fire  causes  nine  deaths  in  Albany  during  year. 

Austin  Graves  rag-shop,  s.  \v.  cor.  Arch  and  Church  sts.,  burned. 

Dec.  22. 

Roller  skating  inaugurated  (No.  69  N.  Pearl  St.),  Dec.  25. 


1881. 


Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  for  the  year  —  Mayor, 
Michael  N.  Nolan ;  Common  Council :  Peter  Snyder,  I.  Philip 
J.  McCormick,  II.  William  A.  Donahoe,  III.  John  T.  Gor- 
man, IV.  John  Carey,  V.  Michael  A.  Murphey,  VI.  James 
Carlisle,  VII.  Thomas  A.  Becket,  VIII.  Michael  H.  Murray, 
IX.  James  A,  Fahy.  X.  William  AIcEwan.  XI.  Robert 
Bryce.  Jr.,  XII.  Samuel  C.  Harris,  XIII.  Theodore  D.  Smith, 
Jr.;  XIV.  Vacancy,  XV.  Albert  Gallup,  XVI.  Henry  C. 
Burch,  XVII.  Albert  Gallup,  (XVI),  president.  Holding 
office  on,  Jan.  i. 

College  of  Pharmacy  (Union  university)  organized. 

Seventh  Heavy  Artillery  Ass'n  organized. 

Mercantile  Mutual  Accident  Society  of  Albany  organized. 

Electricity  first  illuminates  streets,  Jan.    14. 

Gen.  and  Mrs.  U.  S.  Grant  guests  of  Gov.  A.  B.  Cornell,     Jan.  17. 

Order  of  United  Friends  organized  in  Albany. 

Anneke  Jans  case  decided  by  Court  of  Appeals,  February. 

Physicians  a  second  year  declare  Beaver  creek  a  menace  to  health, 

February  11. 

John  jVI.  Bailey  appointed  U.  S.  Consul  at  Hamburg. 

Albany  Zouave  Cadets  (Co.  A  of  177th  N.  Y.  Vols.)  having  been 
Co.  A  of  loth  regiment,  becomes  Co.  A  of  loth  Battalion, 

Feb.   17. 


690  MICHAEL   NICHOLAS    XOLAN.  No.  54. 

1881. 

Companies  A,  B,  D  and  K  organize  as  loth  Battalion  and  loth 
Regiment  disbands,  Feb.  17. 

River  open  to  navigation,  Government  record,  March  21. 

Albany  Electric  Illuminating  Co.   i^  Trinity  Place)   organized, 

April. 

Leland  Opera  House  leased  by  Airs.  Rosa  AI.   Leland,       April  7. 

Eli  Perry  (ex-mayor)   dies,  ]\Iay  17. 

Steamboat  Lotta  (  Crabtree,  California  actress)  put  on  New  Balti- 
more line. 

Alfred  Billings  Street,  poet,  (b.  Poughkeepsie,  Dec.  18,  181 1),  dies 
at  his  residence,  n.  e.  cor.  Washington  ave.  and  Dove  street, 

June  2. 

Y,  AI.  C.  A.  reorganized   (Xo.  20  X.   Pearl  st.),  June. 

Mohican  Canoe  Club  organized. 

Conkling-Platt  senatorial  case  ends^  June  10. 

Rev.  Dr.  Darling,  of  4th  Pres.  Church,  goes  to  Hamilton  College, 

June   10. 

Abbey  hotel,  Kenwood,  secured  by  Plenry  Parr. 

West  Shore  railroad  chartered,  June  14. 

Albany  Yacht  Club  erects  house  on  Hudson  island  south  of  Aliddle 
bridge,  on  east  side  of  river,  opened,  June  15. 

Albany  Electric  Illuminating  Co.  contracts  with  city,  June  21. 

Savings  banks  of  Albany  reduce  interest  from  4  to  3^'?<',     July  i. 

Citizens  shocked  by  the  news  on  the  Western  Union  bulletin  board 
late  in  the  forenoon  that  President  James  Abram  Garfield 
(20th  President,  b.  Orange,  Ohio,  X^ov.  19,  1831)  had  been 
shot  by  Charles  Jules  Guiteau  while  awaiting  departure  of  his 
train  in  the  ladies'  waiting  room  of  the  Pennsylvania  depot  at 
Washington,  bells  tolling,  July  2. 

Dutch  Reformed  church,  "  The  ]\Iiddle,"  Beaver  st.,  abandoned. 

Hudson  avenue  (Broadway  to  Pearl)   widened  at  cost  of  $74,965. 

Bath  house  opened  on  Columbia  st.  pier  front  bv  Garret  J.  Benson, 

July. 

Dutch  Reformed  Chuch,  Aladison  ave.  and  Swan  st.,  occupied. 

Captain  Wihard  Glazier  discovers  source  of  Mississippi  river,  Lake 
Glazier,  Minnesota,  July  22. 

Adam  Blake,  proprietor  of  Kenmore  hotel  (b.  Albany,  April  6, 
1830),  dies,  ^      Sept.  7. 

George  Edgar  Oliver  made  manager  of  Martin  Opera  House, 

September. 

Martin  Opera  House  becomes  Alusic  Hall,  September. 

School  X^o.  8  completed. 


CITY  HALL  OF  1881. 

H.  H.  Richardson,  of  Boston,  Architect.     Cornerstone  laid  by  Masonic 
fraternity  on  October  13,  1881  ;  cost,  $325,000  ;  tower  202  feet. 


No.  54-  AFICIIAEL    NICHOLAS    NOLAN.  69I 


1881-1882. 


Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  Herman  Bendell  its  (6th)  presi- 
dent  (succeeding  C.  P.   Easton  of  1875). 

President  Garfield's  death  at  Elberon,  N.  J.,  announced  at  night  by 
ringing  of  the  church  bells,  Sept.  19, 

City  Hall  corner-stone  laid  by  Masons  ceremoniously,  Oct.  13. 

Rev.  Dr.  James  H.  Ecob  made  pastor  Second  Presbyterian  Church. 

Charles  Van  Benthuysen  (publishing  printer;  b.  Albany,  May  6, 
•   181 7),  dies  in  New  York,  Oct.  19. 

Tenth  and  Twenty-fifth  regiments  disbanded. 

Woman's  Exchange  organized,  Nov.  3. 

Adelphi  Club  moves  from  No.  loi  Hudson  ave.  to  n.  e.  cor.  Division 
and  S.  Pearl  streets. 

Capt.  Horatio  P.  Stacpole  made  brevet-major,  Dec.  31. 


1882. 


Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  (but  not  as  result  of 
election  held  on  this  date)  are  as  follows:  Mayor,  Michael  N. 
Nolan  ;  Common  Council :  Peter  Snyder,  I.  Jeremiah  Kieley, 
n.  William  A.  Donahoe,  HI.  James  Lyons,  IV.  John  Carey, 
V.  George  W.  Beck,  VI.  James  Carfisle,  VII.  Michael  A. 
Nolan,  VIII.  Michael  H.  Murray,  IX.  James  A.  Fahy,  X. 
Austin  S.  Kibbee,  XI.  Vacancy,  XII.  Samuel  C.  Harris, 
XIII.  Charles  W.  Mead,  XIV.  James  Thornton,  XV.  Will- 
iam H.  Murray,  XVI.  Henry  C.  Burch,  XVII.  William  H. 
Murray  (XVI),  president.  Jan.  i. 

Greenbush  bridge  draw  operated  for  first,  Jan.  3. 

River  closes  to  navigation.  Government  record.  Jan.  5. 

State  flag  provided  for  by  "  an  act  to  establish  the  original  arms, 
.  .  .  and  to  provide  for  the  use  thereof  on  the  public  seals," 
Chap.  190,  Laws  of  1882. 

State  flag  and  flag  of  the  United  States  ordered  displayed  from  the 
capitol  during  hours  when  Legislature  is  in  session. 

Senator  Wagner  and  other  members  killed  on  way  to  New  York 
city,  Jan.  13. 

South  Ferry  street  bridge  across  Hudson  opened,  Jan.  24. 

Farewell  dinner  to  Wm.  H.  McElroy,  leaving  Journal,  Jan.  29. 

Deadlock  in  Legislature  until  Feb.  2. 

Comet  of  importance  discovered  by  Charles  S.  Wells,  at  Dudley 
Observatory. 

Robert  Hewson  Pruyn,  President  of  National  Commercial  Bank, 
late  U.  S.  minister  to  Japan,  dies,  Feb.  21, 


692  MICHAEL   NICHOLAS   NOLAN.  No.  54. 

1882. 

National  Commercial  bank  elects  Daniel  Manning  (sixth)  president, 
because  of  death  of  R.  H.  Pruyn,  March  4. 

River  open  to  navigation,  Government  record,  March  5. 

Principal  J\I.  E.  Gates,  Albany  Academy,  elected  President  of  Rut- 
gers College,  March  7. 

Charter  election  resulting  in  contest  in  court  between  M.  N.  Nolan 
and  Dr.  John  Swinburne,  April   11. 

Open-Door  Mission  (Mrs.  Frederick  Townsend,  Pres.)  incorpo- 
rated, April  14. 

Capital  City  Benefit  Ass'n  incorporated. 

West  Shore  railroad  contract  let,  May, 

Henry  H.  Martin  elected  president  of  Albany  Savings  Bank,  vice 
Harmon  Pumpelly  resigned,  May. 

Steamboat  Kaaterskill  built  by  Van  Loan  &  Magee,  1,361  tons, 
281x38x10  feet,  63x144  in.  engine. 

Michael  Davitt  speaks  at  Music  Hall,  June  21. 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  office  (Robert  W.  Gibson,  architect)  erected. 

N.  Y.  Central  freight  brakemen  return  to  work  (advance  conceded), 

June  30. 

News  of  hanging  of  Charles  J.  Guiteau  (for  shooting  of  President 
Garfield  on  July  2,  1881)  at  Washington  jail,  interests  citizens, 

June  30. 

Judge  Westbrook  hears  argument  at  Kingston  on  motion  of  defend- 
ant in  mayoralty  case  for  stay  pending  appeal  to  general  term, 

July  I. 

Fire-alarm  bell  contracted  for  by  fire  board  with  Meneely  &  Co., 
West  Troy,  July  6. 

Judge  Westbrook  grants  stay  of  proceedings  in  mayoralty  case  until 
the  September  term,  July  7. 

Barclay  Jermain,  lawyer  (son  of  James  Barclay  Jermain)  dies  at 
Cooperstown,  July  7. 

Broadway  viaduct  work,  under  Central  road's  tracks,  begun 

July  7- 

John  W.  Viggers  of  Albany  saves  from  drowning  Anson  Phelps 
Stokes,  two  sons  and  one  seaman  (one  drowning)  from  cap- 
sized yacht  Cyphie,  Newport  bay,  July. 

Mount  MacGregor  railroad  at  Saratoga  runs  first  train,  address  by 
James  Arkell,  formerly  of  the  Albany  Evening  Journal,  July  17. 

Longest  ^-in.  rod  ever  made  (263  ft.)  rolled  at  Coming's  Iron 
Works,  South  Troy,  without  flaw,  July  17. 

Public  bath  at  foot  of  Columbia  street  opened,  July  20. 

Old  oak  canal  lock  gate  (1826)  used  at  southern  end  of  basin,  raised 


OFFICE    ON    MAIN    THOROUGHFARE. 


superintentent's  residence. 

RURAL  CEMETERY  BUILDINGS. 
The  Office    or   Lodge,  stands  to  the  west  of  the  main  entrance,  and  was 
erected  in  1882;    Robert  W.  Gibson,  Architect.     The  Superintendent  s  Resi- 
dence was  erected  in  1899,  Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  Architect. 


No.  54.  MICHAEL    NICHOLAS    NOLAN.  693 

1882-1883. 

by  dredge  between  Hamilton  and   Hodge  streets  and  conveyed 
to  Greenbush  shore,  J'-ily  22. 

X.  Y.  Central  freight  honse  (Colnmbia,  Quay.  Orange  and  Water 
streets)   falls,  Aug.  3. 

William  Christman  kills  Charles  Trinkley  at  Alexander  and  Eliza- 
beth streets,  Aug.  5. 

Swinburne  dispensary  treats  300  cases  (60  cases  at  clynic  on  Aug. 
5th)  during  week  ending,  Aug.  5. 

Wm.  Christman  found  by  Sergt.  Buchanan,  Aug.  10. 

Test  of  incandescent  electric  lights  at  the  capitol,  Aug.  22. 

Sullivan  &  Ehlers  awarded  contract  ($98,962.81)  for  iron  in  roof 
western  end  of  capitol  and  pavilions,  Aug.  25. 

Harmony  mills  strike  of  18  weeks,  Cohoes,  ends,  Aug.  28. 

Swinburne  dispensary  treated  1,200  cases  during  the  month, 

Aug.  31. 

Fire-alarm  bell  purchased  from  Meneely  &  Co.,  of  West  Troy 
(Watervliet).  (70  in.  at  mouth,  50^  in.  high,  5  i-io  in.  thick, 
7,049  lbs.  in  weight)  hoisted  into  City  Hall  tower,       Sept.  28. 

Harmon  Pumpelly,  President  Albany  Gaslight  Co.,  the  Albany  Sav- 
ings Bank  and  the  Albany  Insurance  Co.,  senior  warden  St. 
Peter's  Church,  (b.  Salisbury,  Conn.,  Aug.  i,  1795,  coming  to 
Albany  in  1841)  dies  at  his  home,  No.  i  Elk  st.,  Sept.  28. 

Normal  school  elects  Edward  P.  Waterbury  its  (7th)  principal  (suc- 
ceeding J.  Alden  of  1867). 

Albany  Academy  elects  James  Cassety,  Ph.D.,  its  (loth)  principal. 

Cricket  popular  in  Albany. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  Alden  Chester  its  (7th)  president 
(succeeding  Herman  Bendell  of  1881). 

Lake  ave.  changed  from  Perry  st.   (s.  of  Western  ave.),     Oct.  2. 

German  Young  Men's  Democratic  Club  organized. 

Rainfall  exceedmgly  light  (A.  average  3.17  in.  per  month),  0.27  in., 

October. 

Rev.  Wesley  Reid  Davis  becomes  minister  ]\Iadison  avenue  Re- 
formed Church. 

Thurlow  Weed,  founder  of  Albany  Evening  Journal,  dies,    Nov.  22. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Dec.  4. 


1883. 


Grover  Cleveland  inaugurated  Governor  of  New  York  State,  Jan.  i. 

Charter  officials,  holding  office  at  this  time,  for  the  year;  but  not 
elected  at  this  date  —  Mayor,  Michael  N.  Nolan ;  Common 
Council :     Peter  Snyder,  I.     Jeremiah  Kieley,  II.     William  A. 


694  MICHAEL   XICHOLAS   NOLAN.  No.  54, 

1883. 

Donahoe,  III.  James  Lyons,  IV.  John  Carey,  \ \  George  W. 
Beck,  VI.  John  Greer,  Ml.  Michael  A.  Nolan,  VIII.  Michael 
H.  Murray,  IX.  James  A.  Fahy,  X.  Austin  S.  Kibbee,  XI. 
Patrick  McCann,  XII.  Samuel  C.  Harris,  XIII.  Charles  \V. 
Mead,  XIV.  James  Thornton,  XV.  William  H.  Murray,  XVI. 
William  H.  Murray   (XVI),  president.     Holding  office  on, 

Jan.    I. 

Dudley  Observatory  (Prof.  Lewis  Boss)  completes  an  International 
Zone  (Leipsic,  No.  14,  International  Catalogue),  8,241  stars 
measured  and  recorded. 

Electric  illumination  of  the  city  streets. 

Hudson  River  Telephone  Co.  begins  operations. 

Mme.  Albani  sings  at  ]\Iusic  Hall,  Jan.  15. 

Tweddle  Hall  (theatre),  n.  w.  corner  of  State  and  Pearl  streets, 
completely  demolished  by  fire,  Hannibal  A.  Williams,  elocution- 
ist, obliged  to  abandon  entertainment,  Jan.  16. 

George  Dawson,  proprietor  of  Albany  Evening  Journal,  dies, 

Feb.   17. 

School  No.  5  completed. 

Charles  Watson  Godard  (ex-mayor)  dies  at  Brooklyn,         Feb.  19. 

Albany  Evening  L^nion  first  issued.  Feb.  20. 

Equal  Rights  Life  Ins.  Ass'n  of  xA.lbany  chartered,  Feb.  28. 

Dunlop  grain  elevator  on  Quay  street  near  Hamilton  burned, 

March  3. 

Salvini,  the  elder,  plays  ''  The  Gladiator,"  March  5. 

New  York  Central's  viaduct  crossing  Broadway  excavation  begun. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  April  i- 

John  A.  McCall  appointed  State  superintendent  of  insurance, 

April  23. 

City  Hall  completed,  May  i. 

Safe  Deposit  &  Storage  Co.  building  (s.  e.  corner  Lodge  and  Maiden 
Lane)  erected. 

Col.  John  Mills'  remains  exhumed  from  Capitol  park  and  re-interred 
in  Albany  Rural  cemetery.  May  30. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  George  B.  Hoyt  its  (8th)  presi- 
dent (succeeding  Alden  Chester  of  1882). 

Albany  Zouave  Cadets  organized  as  Old  Guard  of  Co.  A,      June  7. 

Mayor  Nolan  resigns  office,  the  court  deciding  the  Charter  election 
contest  of  April  11,  1882,  in  favor  of  seating  Dr.  John  Swin- 
burne, and  that  he  was  properly  mayor,  entitled  to  salary,  from 
the  previous  time  when  his  term  rightfully  should  have  begun. 

June  24, 
•      .  •         • 

(See  No.  55.) 


I 


No.  55. 


May  2,  1882  — May  5,  1884. 
Seated  Jvine  25,  1883. 


No.  55. 
JOHN    SWINBURNE. 

Date  of  ofHce:     May  2,  1882-May  5,  1884. 
Seated  June  25,  1883. 

Date  of  election:     April  11,  1882. 

Political  party:     Republican. 

Vote:    9,221. 

Opponent:     M.  N.  Nolan. 

Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     9,339;  scattering,  18.      (Contested.) 

Total  vote:     18,578. 

Date  of  birth:     May  30,  1820. 

Place  of  birth:     Farm  on  Black  river,  Lewis  county,  N.  Y. 

Parents:     Peter  (S.)  and  Artemesia. 

Education:     Lowville  Academy  and  Albany  Medical  College,  1846. 

Married  to:     Harriet  Judson. 

Date:     1847. 

Children:     (3)  John,  Jr.,  Louis  Judson,  Frederick. 

Residence:     No.  57  Eagle  street. 

Occupation:     Surgeon. 

Religion:     Episcopalian. 

Date  of  death:     March  28,  1889. 

Place  of  death:     No.  57  Eagle  street. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  Chief  medical  officer  on  staff  of  General  Rathbone  in 
Civil  War,  losing  by  death  only  12  of  1,470  in  his  care. 
Surgeon-in-Chief  of  American  Ambulance  Corps,  Franco- 
Prussian  War,  1870-71.  Knight  of  Legion  of  Honor.  Red 
Cross  of  Geneva.  President  Medical  Society  of  Albany 
County,  1872.  Lower  bridge  (South  Ferry  street)  opened, 
January  24,  1882.  Contested  election  of  April  11,  1882,  and 
awarded  salary.  School  No.  5  completed,  1883.  Congress- 
man. Conducted  a  free  dispensary  at  No.  57  Eagle  street 
that  was  attended  by  multitudes.  Successfully  reduced 
fractures  by  his  new  extension  method,  discarding  splints 
and  bandages.  One  of  four  surgeons  to  found  the  Albany 
Medical  College. 


55-     JOHN   SWINBURNE. 

1882-1884. 

From  a  painting  made  from  life,  and  owned  in  1904  by  the  city  of  Albany. 


No.  55.  JOHN    SWINBURNE.  697 

1883. 

(Continued  from  No.  54.) 
1883. 


John  Swinburne,  AI.  D.,  is  sworn  as  mayor  of  Albany,  the  courts 
having  decided  that  he  was  properly  chosen  to  the  office  at  the 
Charter  election  held  on  April  11,  1882,  when  he  received  ac- 
cording to  the  count  made  at  that  time  118  less  votes  as  the 
Republican  candidate,  than  Michael  N.  Nolan  as  the  Demo- 
cratic candidate,  June  25. 

West  Shore  railroad  open  to  Albany  from  New  York,  July  9. 

Decision  to  close  State  library  on  .State  street,  preparatory  to  tear- 
ing it  down  to  make  room  for  new  Capitol,  July  19. 

Adrian  O.  Mather  (aged  48)  dies  at  Isle  of  Wight,  L.  I.,       July  18. 

Western  Union  operatives  strike  here  and  elsewhere,  July  19. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Griffith.  D.  D.,  rector  (Israel)  African  M.  E.  Church, ' 
dies,  July  22. 

Old  Capitol  building  sold  (edifice  of  1808),  James  W.  Eaton's  bid 
of  $1,000  accepted,  July  25. 

Co.  B  participates  in  State  camp  service  near  Peekskill  (under  Capt. 
Horatio  P.  Stacpole),  July  21-28. 

Justice  Bockes  denies  writ  of  mandamus  to  compel  State  officers 
(as  ex-officio  members)  to  attend  meeting  of  Union  College 
trustees  on  Aug.  2nd,  in  the  presidency  imbroglio,       July  30. 

John  Walter's  table  oil-cloth  factory  (No.  338  Central  avenue) 
burned   (loss  about  $12,000),  July  31. 

Deadlock  in  Union  College  board  of  trustees.  Potter  and  Webster 
factions,  Aug.  2. 

Dr.  Jacob  Simmons  Mosher  (b.  Coeymans ;  March  19,  1834)  dies  of 
heart  failure  in  early  morning  at  his  home.  No.  3  Lancaster 
street,  Aug.  13. 

S.  R.  Stoddard,  well-known  photographer  of  Glens  Falls,  passes 
southward  in  his  canoe  Atlantis  (18  feet)  on  a  2,000-mile  tour 
making  pictures,  Aug.  14. 

Gen.  Robert  Lenox  Banks,  as  president  State  Forestry  Association, 
reports  that  only  14  of  more  than  200  islands  in  Lake  George 
are  held  by  individuals  by  legal  state  right,  Aug.   16. 

Western  Union  operatives'  strike  (Manager  Sabold)  ends,  Aug.  18. 

Lord  Chief  Justice  Coleridge  of  England  visits  Capitol  and  park, 
and  is  dined  at  Fort  Orange  Club,  Aug.  28. 

Beaver  creek  declared  a  public  nuisance  by  health  board,       Aug.  28. 

State  library  books  removed  to  new  quarters  in  Capitol,        Sept.  i. 

Pons'  comet  of  181 2  attracts  attention  of  local  astronomers, 

September. 


698  JOHN    SWINBURNE.  No.  55. 


1883. 


Jackson  Corps  go  to  Boston,  Sept.  3. 

Dexter  building  (n.  e.  corner  State  and  Pearl  streets )  the  scene  of  a 
thousand  anti-rent  cases,  remodeled,  with  entrance  changed 
from  State  to  North  Pearl  street,  Sept.  8. 

Normal  School  building  (east  side  of  Willett  street),  plans  by  Ed- 
ward Ogden  &  Son,  burned  Jan.  8,  1906),  begun. 

Martin  Opera  House  managed  by  Mrs.  Rosa  M.  Leland,  September. 

Hugh  J.  Hastings  (b.  Maguire's  Bridge,  Fermanagh,  Ire.,  Aug.  20, 
1820),  the  organizer  of  "The  Knickerbocker"  newspaper  in 
September,  1843,  dies  at  Monmouth  Beach,  N.  ].,         Sept.  12. 

St.  Luke's  (M.  E.)  Church  corner-stone  laid,  Sept.  18. 

Nelson  Lyon's  large  furniture  factory.  No.  4  Central  avenue,  burns 
with  a  loss  of  about  $30,000,  Sept  20. 

Steamboat  Block  Island,  of  Columbia  opposition  line,  inaugurates  a 
passenger  rate  of  10  cents  to  New  York,  Sept.  26. 

Albany  Bicycle  Club  holds  its  2nd  large  race-meet  at  Island  Park, 

Sept.  26. 

Tugboat  John  S.  Robinson's  boiler  explodes,  foot  of  Westerlo  street, 
killing  three  men,  Sept.  27. 

Two-cent  postage  for  ist  class  mail  inaugurated,  Oct.  i. 

Steamboat  Block  Island,  having  tried  to  introduce  lo-cent  fare  to 
New  York  city,  abandons  Hudson  river  traffic  for  New  London, 

Oct.  I. 

Actor  Joseph  K.  Emmet,  Sr.'s  St.  Bernard  dog,  Bayard,  recently 
purchased  for  $2,500  (yYi  feet  long,  34  inches  high,  weighing 
175  pounds),  dies  at  New  York  city,  Oct.  i. 

Jay-Eye-See  (having  made  world  trotting  record  of  2:14  on  Aug. 
i6th  at  Rochester)  races  against  time  at  Island  Park  (Director, 
Phallas,  and  Trinket  at  the  meet)  and  scores  2:17,  Oct.  4. 

Lorea  B.  Sessions  bribery  (1881)  case  commenced  before  Judge 
Osborn  in  Oyer  and  Terminer,  Oct.  8. 

Albany  Burgesses  Corps  begins  two-day  celebration  of  its  semi-cen- 
tennial by  parade  on  Oct.  8th,  dinner  at  Delavan,  Oct.  9. 

West  Shore  Railroad  open  to  Syracuse,  October. 

Gates  Literary  Society  of  Albany  Academy  founded,  October. 

Gen.  Philip  Henry  Sheridan  (b.  Albany,  March  6,  1831,  and  who 
dies  at  Nonquitt,  Mass.,  Aug.  5.  18S8)  resigns  from  United 
States  army,  issuing  such  as  General  Orders  No.  17,  at  Chicago, 

Nov.   I. 

New  "  Standard  Time  "  adopted,  November. 

Elnathan  Sweet  elected  State  engineer  and  surveyor,  Nov.  6. 

Albany  Zouave  Cadets  organize  as  "  Old  Guard,"  Dec.  6. 

Y.  M.  A.  celebrates  semi-centennial,  Dec.   12. 


f 


CAPITOL  OF  1808  IS  RAZED. 

Legislature  met  at  Albany  first  in  City  Hall  on  Broadway  ;  cornerstone  laid  Apr.  2t,,  1806  ; 
St  used  Nov.  i,  1808  ;  cost,  $110,685.42  ;  sold  to  Jas.  W.  Eaton,  contractor  for  $1,000  on  July 
;,  1883,  and  removed  by  him  before  Jan.  i,  1884. 


No.  55.  JOHX    SWINBURNE.  699 


1883-1884. 


Federal  building-  (post-office)  occupied.  December. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Dec.   16. 

John  B.  Rossman,  M.  D.,  dies,  Dec.  23. 

Old  Capitol,  in  s.  w.  corner  of  Capitol  park,  demolished.  Dec.  31. 


1884. 


Post-office  opened  in  Federal  building,  Jan.   i 

West  Shore  railroad  open  to  Buffalo,  Jan.  i 

Court  of  Appeals  moves  into  new  Capitol,  Jan.   14 

Orlando  Meads,  an  attorney  of  high  standing,  partner  of  Dexter 
Reynolds,  a  man  of  rare  attainments  and  long  the  president  of 
board  of  trustees  of  the  Albany  Academy,  dies,  Feb.  11 

Apollo  Singing  Society  (J.  Grundhoeffer,  dir.)  organized,  Feb.  18 

Judges  of  Court  of  Appeals  adopt  silk  robes,  Feb.  25 

Prof.  Lewis  Boss  (Dudley  Observatory)  appointed  State  superin- 
tendent weights  and  measures,  Feb.  29 

Harmonia  Singing  Society  (Prof.  Charles  Koch,  dir.)  organized, 

March 

River  open  to  navigation   (Government  record),  March  24 

Music  Hall  (n.  w.  corner  South  Pearl  and  Beaver  streets)  opened 
by  H.  R.  Jacobs  as  the  Royal  Museum,  March  31. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  Peter  J.  Flinn  its  (9th)  president 
(succeeding  G.  B.  Hoyt  of  1883). 

John  J.  Gannon  appointed  (first)  clerk  of  Board  of  Public  Instruc- 
tion. 

School  No.  2  completed. 

State  Dairy  Commission  organized  at  Albany. 

Island  Park  Racing  Ass'n  (E.  Corning,  pres.)  incorporated. 

Ridgefield  Athletic  Club  organized,  April  28. 

Albany  Bicycle  Club  incorporated,  May  i. 

Steamboat  City  of  Kingston  built  by  Harlan  &  Hollingsworth,  1,117 
tons,  250  X  33  X  12  feet,  30  x  56  x  36  in.  engine. 

A.  Bleecker  Banks  is  a  second  time  chosen  mayor  of  Albany,  at  the 
Charter  election,  receiving  10,098  votes  as  the  Democratic  can- 
didate ;  his  opponent,  John  Swinburne,  M.  D.,  receiving  9,848 
votes  as  the  Republican  candidate ;  scattering,  52  votes ;  total 
number  of  votes  cast,  19,998;  Banks'  majority  over  Swinburne 
being  250  votes,  he  is  declared  elected  mayor,  April  9. 

•         •         • 
(See  No.  53.) 


No.  56. 


May  4,  1886— April  30,  1888. 


*  * 


Jan.  1,  1896  — Dec.  31,  1897. 


No.  56. 
JOHN   BOYD   THACHER. 


Date  of  office:     (a)   May  4,  1886-April  30,  if 

(b)   January  i,  1896-December  31,  1897. 
Date  of  election:     (a)   April  13,  1886. 

(b)   November  5,  1895. 
Political  party:     Democrat. 
Vote:     (a)    10,510. 
(b)    11,030. 
Opponent:     (a)    Edward  A.  Durant,  Jr.      (aa)    Frederick  Wheeler. 

(b)   William  J.  Walker,     (bb)   Oren  E.  Wilson. 
Political  party:     (a)   Republican,      (aa)    Independent. 

(b)   Republican,      (bb)    Independent   (Rep.). 
Vote:     (a)   8,981.      (aa)   55.     Scattering,  14. 

(b)   6,752.      (bb)   4,314.     Defective,  118. 
Total  vote:     (a)    19,560. 
(b)   22,214. 
Date  of  birth:     September  11,  1847. 
Place  of  birth:     Ballston  Centre,  N.  Y. 
Parents:     George  Hornell  (T.)  and  Ursula  J.  Boyd. 
Education:     Williams  College,  1869. 
Married  to:     Emma  Treadwell. 
Date:     Albany,  September  11,  1872. 
Children:     None. 

Residence:     No.  5  South  Hawk  street. 
Occupation:     Author. 
Religion:     Presbyterian. 
Title:     Senator. 

Remarks:  State  Senator,  1884-85.  School  No.  7  completed,  1886. 
School  No.  3  completed,  1887.  Bibliophile.  Chairman  Com- 
mission of  Awards,  Columbia  Exposition.  Author  of 
"  Christopher  Columbus,"  "  Continent  of  America,"  "  Cabot- 
ian  Voyages,"  "  Charlecote,"  "  Little  Speeches,"  etc. 


I 


56.    JOHN  BOYD  THACHER. 

I 886-88;  1896-97. 

J'-?^  '^  P'lotograph  made  from  life  in  1900  by  Pirie  Macdonald,  and  owned 
by  The   Albany  Institute. 


1 


No.  56.  JOHN   BOYD  THACHER.  703 

1886. 

(Continued  from  No.  53.) 
1886. 


John  Boyd  Thacher  is  sworn  in  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  having"  been 
chosen  at  a  Charter  election  held  on  April  13th,  when  he  re- 
•  ceived  10,510  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate;  his  opponent, 
Edward  A.  Durant,  Jr.,  receiving  8,981  votes  as  the  Republican 
candidate ;  Frederick  F.  Wheeler  receiving  55  votes  as  the  Inde- 
pendent candidate;  scattering,  14  votes;  total  number  of  votes 
cast,  19,560;  majority,  1.629  votes,  ]\Iay  4. 

Charter  election.  Mayor,  John  Boyd  Thacher ;  Common  Council : 
Frederick  W.  Klarr,  I.  Christopher  Fleming,  II.  William  A. 
Donahoe,  III.  James  Lyons,  IV.  James  O.  Woodward,  V. 
George  L.  Thomas.  \  I.  Charles  E.  Van  Zandt,  VII.  Thomas 
J.  Judge,  VIII.  Michael  F.  Conners,  IX.  Frederick  Stack- 
man,  X.  Howard  N.  Fuller,  XL  Arthur  F.  Corscadden.  XII. 
William  H.  Bailey.  XIII.  David  J.  Norton.  XIV.  John  J. 
Greagan,  XV.  Richard  Hunter,  XVI.  Jeremiah  Harris,  Jr., 
XVli.  Patrick  McCann,  Galen  R.  Hitt  (at-large)  :  Patrick 
McCann.  president.     Election,  April  13;  sworn  in.  May  4. 

School  No.  7  completed. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  James  M.  Ruso  its  (nth)  presi- 
dent (succeeding  O.  E.  Wilson  of  1885). 

Robert  Parker  appointed  (4th)  superintendent  of  school  buildings 
(succeeding  H.  J.  McDonald  of  1885). 

Steamboat  Newburgh,  running  to  Albany,  built  by  Neafie  &  Levy 
Co.,  1,033  tons,  210  feet  long,  32  feet  broad,  12  feet  deep, 
26  X  45  X  36  in.  engine.  May. 

Bi-Centennial  Loan  Exhibition  in  Chapel  of  the  Albany  Academy, 
with  J.   Howard   King  as  chairman,  opened  with  ceremonies, 

Bi-Centennial  festivities  inaugurated  on  Sunday  by  religious  ob- 
servance. Mayor  John  Boyd  Thacher  and  a  band  of  visiting 
Caughnawaga  Indians  attending  St.  Mary's  Church,  escorted  by 
Jackson  Corps;  Bishop  Wadhams  pontificating,  Rev.  C.  A. 
Walworth  preaching  sermon,  Parlati's  orchestra  assisting  Prof. 
Peter  Schneider  at  organ,  at  10:40  a.  m.  In  afternoon  special 
services  at  St.  Peter's  Church,  Bishop  Doane  preaching.  Prof. 
F.  W.  Mills  at  organ  playing  special  composition,  "Ancient  of 
Days,"  words  by  Bishop  Doane,  music  by  Dr.  J.  Albert  Jefifery, 
and  at  Reformed  Dutch  Church  on  Madison  avenue  Rev.  David 
D.  Demorest,  of  New  Brunswick,  preaching.     Sunday,  July  18. 


704  JOHN    BOYD  THACHER.  No.  56. 

1886. 

Bi-Centennial  "  Educational  Day,"  opening  of  elaborate  city  gate 
erected  on  Broadway,  north  of  Hudson  avenue,  by  Mayor  John 
Boyd  Thacher,  announced  by  Town  Crier  Jacob  D.  Pohlman; 
parade  of  trades  and  manufactures,  Col.  John  S.  McEwan, 
marshal;  canoe  races;  i,ooo  school  children  sing  ode  written  by 
Hon.  Howard  N.  Fuller ;  fireworks  and  triple  band  in  Washing- 
ton park.     Monday.  July  19. 

Bi-Centennial  "  Day  of  All  Nations,"  Parade  of  Nationalities,  Col. 
M.  J.  Severence,  grand  marshal,  in  morning;  regatta  on  Pleas- 
ure (Lagoon)  Island  course  in  afternoon.     Tuesday,      July  20. 

Colored  people  of  Albany  plant  an  elm  (Rev.  Derrick)  in  Washing- 
ton park,  July  20. 

Germans  plant  memorial  oak  in  Washington  park,  July  20. 

Bi-Centennial  "Civic  Day,"  Wednesday,  July  21. 

Bi-Centennial  Day  observed  with  enthusiasm.     Thursday,  July  22. 

Bi-Centennial  medal,  from  which  had  been  struck  off  10  gold,  8 
silver,  36  bronze  gilded  with  Florentine  finish,  1,300  bronze, 
11,000  white  metal  of  y%  in.  and  in  3-16  in.,  i  copper,  3  bronze, 
36  bronze  struck  up  in  gold,  defaced  to  prevent  further  use, 

July  22. 

Bi-Centennial  "Trades  and  Manufactures  Day,"  Friday,       July  23. 

Steamboat  Daniel  Drew  burned  while  resting  at  Kingston  as  extra, 

Aug.  29. 

B.  P.  O.  E.,  No.  49,  (s.  e.  cor.  State  and  Lodge  sts.)  instituted, 

Sept.   18. 

Albany  Academy  elects  Henry  Pitt  Warren,  L.  H.  D.,  its  (nth) 
principal. 

Y.  M.  C.  A.  Central  building  corner-stone  laid.  Sept.  20. 

Jermain  Hall  corner-stone  laid,  Sept.  20. 

Ex-President  Chester  Alan  Arthur  (b.  Fairfield.  A't.,  Oct.  5,  1830; 
buried  at  Albany)  dies  at  No.  123  Lexington  ave.,  New  York 
city,  Nov.  18. 

Albany  Historical  and  Art  Society  formed,  Nov.  24. 

River  closed.  Government  record,  Dec.  4. 

Empire  Curling  Club  organized. 

Toboggan  chute  built  by  Ridgefield  Athletic  club,  December. 

Woman's  Diocesan  League  of  Albany  Episcopal  diocese  (Mary 
Parker  Corning,  Pres.)  clears  $13,500  year  of  organizing, 

December. 


PRESIDENT    <   IIKSII   K    A.    ARTHUR   S   TOMB. 


THE   ANGEL    AT    THE    SEPULCHRE. 


RURAL  CEMETERY  STATUARY. 

In  1868  wholesale  removals  were  made  from  cemetery  at  State  and  Knox 
sts.,  that  the  grounds  might  be  converted  into  Washington  Park,  "Angel  at 
Sepulchre"  completed  by  E.  D.  Palmer,  April  29,  1867  for  lot  of  Gen.  Rob't 
Lenox  Banks.  Chester  Alan  Arthur,  21st  President,  died  Nov.  18,  1886  and 
his  sarcophagus  attracts  universal  attention. 


No.  56.  JOHN    BOYD  THACHER.  705 

1887. 


1887. 

Albany  railway  reduces  fares  on  Pearl  street  line  to  5  cents,    Jan.  i. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  for  the  year ;  but  not 
elected  at  this  date  —  Mayor,  John  Boyd  Thacher ;  Common 
Council :  Frederick  W.  Klarr,  I.  Christopher  Fleming,  II. 
Vacancy,  III.  James  Lyons,  IV.  James  Otis  Woodward,  V. 
George  L.  Thomas,  VI.  Charles  E.  Van  Zandt,  VII.  Thomas 
J.  Judge,  VIII.  Michael  E.  Conners,  IX.  Frederick  Stack- 
man,  X.  Howard  N.  Fuller,  XI.  Arthur  F.  Corscadden,  XII. 
William  H.  Bailey,  XIII.  David  J.  Norton,  XIV.  John  J. 
Greagan,  XV.  Richard  Hunter,  XVI.  Jeremiah  Harris,  Jr., 
XATI.  Patrick  McCann,  Galen  R.  Hitt  (at-large)  ;  Patrick 
McCann  (at-large),  president.      Holding  office  on,  Jan.  i. 

Rt.  Rev.  Horatio  Potter  (6th  Bishop  of  New  York  Episcopal  diocese) 
for  22  years  from  1833  rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church  (b.  Feb. 
9,  1802,  at  LaGrange,  N.  Y. ;  consecrated,  Nov.  22,  1854)  dies 
at  LaGrange,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  2. 

Winter  carnival  of  parade  of  bob-sleds  and  coasting  on  Madison 
avenue,  band  and  fireworks,  (Beverwyck,  28  feet  long,  and 
Brooklyn  Bridge,  40  feet), 

George  Hornell  Thacher  (ex-mavor)  dies  at  St.  Augustine,  Fla., 

Feb.  5. 

Rev.  Andrew  V.  V.  Raymond  made  pastor  of  Fourth  Presbyterian 
Church,  March   10. 

John  Godfrey  Saxe,  poet  of  renown,  (b.  Highgate,  Vt.,  June  2, 
1816)  dies  at  Albany,  March  31. 

River  open  to  navigation,  Government  record,  April  6. 

Ex-President  Chester  A.  Arthur  memorial  ceremonies,  Assembly 
Chamber,  (Att'y-Gen.  Benj.  H.  Brewster  and  Hon.  Chauncey 
M.  Depew  orators),  April  20. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  William  P.  Rudd  its  (12th)  presi- 
dent (succeeding  J.  M.  Ruso  of  1886). 

Steamboat  Homer  Ramsdell  built  by  T.  S.  Marvel  &  Co.,  1,181  tons, 
240  X  32  X  12  feet,  28  X  52  X  36  in.  engine. 

Albany  County  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Children 
incorporated,  June  9. 

John  H.  Oliver  appointed  (5th)  superintendent  of  school  buildings 
(succeeding  R.  Parker  of  1866). 

Tenth  battalion  participates  in  state  camp  service  near  Peekskill 
(Lt.-Col.  Wm.  E.  Fitch),  July  23-30. 


7C6  JOHN   BOYD  THACHER.  No.  56. 

1887-1888. 

National  Commercial  Bank  building  (No.  40  State  st.)   rebuilt. 

School  No.  3  completed. 

Steamboat  New  York  of  Hudson  River  Day  Line  built  by  Harlan 
&  Hollingsworth,  1,974  tons,  350X4OX  11  feet,  75  x  144  in.  en- 
gine put  in  commission,  J^^^Y  18. 

Y.  M.  C.  A.  Central  building  dedicated,  Sept.  22. 

Jermain  Hall  dedicated,  Sept.  22. 

Catholic  Union  organized,  Oct.  15. 

Albany  Camera  Club  organized,  Oct,  21. 

Henry  Rusell,  largest  flour  merchant  in  the  state,  elected  senator, 

Nov.  8. 

Michael  Rickard  appointed  State  Railroad  Commissioner,     Nov.  14. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  Government  record,  Dec.   19. 

Hon.  Daniel  Manning.  ex-Secretary  of  Treasury,  (b.  Aug.  16,  1831) 
dies  at  Albany,  Dec.  24. 

James  H.  Manning  appointed  State  Civil  Servace  Commissioner, 

Dec.  29. 

George  H.  Treadwell  appointed  State  civil  service  commissioner, 

Dec.  20. 


1888. 


Ice  palace  of  considerable  size  in  design  of  a  fort,  erected  on  the 
plateau  at  the  corner  of  Madison  and  Lake  avenues,  east  of 
tennis  grounds,  and  dedicated  with  display  of  fireworks, 

Jan.  15. 

Commencement  of  the  terrible  3-day  blizzard,  March  11. 

Water  commission  recommends  additional  pumps,  April  5, 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  April  7. 

Edward  A.  Maher  chosen  Mayor  at  the  Charter  election,  receiving 
11,766  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate;  his  opponent,  John 
Swinburne,  M.  D.,  receiving  9,013  votes  as  the  Republican 
candidate ;  scattering,  22  votes ;  whole  number  of  votes  cast, 
20,801,  and  Maher's  majority  over  Swinburne  being  2,753  votes 
he  is  declared  elected  Mayor  of  Albany,  April  10. 

Post-office  robbed  of  $3,500  in  stamps,  April  26. 


(See  No.  57.) 


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No.  56.  JOHN    BOVD  TIIAtllKR.  707 

1896. 


(Continued  from  No.  59.) 
1896. 


John  Boyd  Thacher  sworn  as  Mayor  of  Albany  a  second  lime,  havin.q; 
been  chosen  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  Nov.  5,  1895,  '^vhen 
he  received  11,030  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate:  his  oppo- 
nent, William  J.  Walker,  receiving  6,752  votes  as  the  Republican 
•  candidate;  Oren  E.  Wilson  (the  mayor  in  office  then)  receiving 
4,314  votes  as  the  Independent  candidate;  defective,  118  votes; 
total  number  of  votes  cast,  22,214;  Thacher's  majority  over 
Walker  being  4,278  votes,  Jan.    i. 

Charter  election.  Mayor,  John  Boyd  Thacher ;  Common  Council : 
Jacob  Wirth,  Jr.,  I.  Malachi  F.  Cox,  II.  John  F.  Donovan, 
III.  Michaefj.  Hogan.  IV.  Theodore  P.  Bailey,  M.  D.,  V. 
Hugh  J.  Slattery,  \I.  William  G.  Sheehan,  VII.  James  J. 
Mckiernan,  VIII.  John  J.  Brady,  IX.  George  W.  Smith,  X. 
Elmer  H.  Havens,  XI.  John  E.  Corscadden,  XII.  Fred  Ebel, 
XIII.  George  H.  Stevens,  XIV.  Joseph  A.  Clancv,  XV. 
William  H.  Golden,  XVI.  Charles  A.  Pritchard,  XVIL  John 
M.  Collins,  XVIII.  John  Pauly,  XIX.  John  F.  Donovan 
(III),  president.     Election,  Nov.  5,  1895;  sworn  in,         Jan.  i. 

Soup  kitchens,  to  help  the  numerous  poverty  cases,  established  in 
many  parts  of  the  city,  January. 

Mme.  Albani  given  a  large  public  reception  at  Albany  Club,    Feb.  4. 

Albany  Whist  Club  formed,  and  unites  with  Albany  Chess  Club, 

February. 

Albany  Railway  installs  1,000  h.  p.  engine  and  generator  of  same 
capacity  in  S.  Pearl  street  power  house,  Feb.  27. 

State  dog  license.  Chap.  448,  Laws  of  1896. 

Albany  Railway  increases  capital  from  $1,500,000  to  $2,000,000, 

March. 

River  opened  (Government  record),  April  7. 

Police  signal-box  system  instituted   (in  2nd  precinct).  May. 

Dog-shelter  contributors  provide  drinking  basin  before  post  office. 

Northern  Boulevard  viaduct  erected,  May. 

St.  Margaret's  House  (Elk  and  Hawk  streets)  erected,  May. 

James  W.  Cox,  M.  D.,  most  prominent  homeopath,  dies,       June  9. 

Dr.  Thoinas  Hun,  most  prominent  physician.  Dean  of  Albany  Med- 
ical College,  President  Albany  Academy  trustees,  founder  of 
the  Kappa  Alpha  at  Union,  where  he  graduated  in  1825,  (b- 
Albany,  Sept.   14,   1808)   dies  at  his  home.  No.  31   Elk  st.. 

June  23. 


708  JOHN    BOVD  THACHER.  No.  56. 

1896-1897. 

Steamboat  Drew,  of  People's  Line,  goes  out  of  commission,    June  29. 

Steamboat  Adirondack  of  People's  Line  built  by  John  Englis  of  New 
York,  3,644  tons,  410x50x12  feet,  81x144  in.  engine,  first 
put  in  commission,  leaving  New  York, 

Albany  Railway  carries  9,511,556  passengers,  year  ending. 

Captain  Charles  Gould  (Co.  A,  loth  Battalion)   dies. 

Masonic  temple  dedicated, 

Ernest  J.  Miller   (A.  Card  &  Paper  Co.)    dies. 

Albany  Boys'  Club  incorporated. 

River  closed  (Government  record). 

Gen.  John  Meredith  Read,  diplomat,  U.  S.  Consul  at  Greece,  his- 
torical writer,  (b.  Philadelphia,  Feb.  21,  1837)  dies  at  Paris, 

Dec.  27. 


June 

29. 

g,  June 
Jul> 
Oct. 

30. 
'  4- 
26. 

Nov 

2. 

November. 

Dec. 

16. 

1897. 


Hon.  Frank  S.  Black,  of  Troy,  becomes  Governor,  Signal  Corps 
acting  as  escort  in  inaugural  parade,  Jan.   i. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  for  the  year;  but  not 
elected  on  this  date  —  John  Boyd  Thacher ;  Common  Council : 
Jacob  Wirth,  L  Malachi  F.  Cox,  IL  John  F.  Donovan,  IIL 
*:\Iichael  T-  Hogan,  IV.  Theodore  P.  Bailev,  M.  D.,  V.  Hugh 
J.  Slattery,  VI.  William  G.  Sheehan,  VII."  James  J.  McKier- 
nan  VIII.  John  J.  Brady,  IX.  George  W.  Smith,  X.  Elmer 
H.  Havens,  XI.  John  E.  Corscadden,  XII.  Fred  Ebel,  XTII. 
George  H.  Stevens,  XR'.  Joseph  A.  Clancv,  XV.  William  H. 
Golden,  XVI.  Charles  A.  Pritchard.  XVH.  John  M.  Collins. 
XVIII.  John  Pauly,  XIX.  John  F.  Donovan  (III),  president. 
Holding  office  on,  Jan.  i. 

The  estate  of  Rensselaerwyck,  at  Rensselaer,  3  miles  southeast  of 
Nykerk  (Nieuekerke)  Holland,  whence  the  Van  Rensselaers 
came  originally,  at  this  date  a  farm  denuded  of  buildings. 

Founders  &  Patriots  Society  of  America  (Albany  Chapter)  organ- 
ized. "^  Jan.  8. 

Death  of  Herman  Russ  Palmer,  son  of  Gen.  John  Palmer,  (b. 
Albany,  Sept.  9,   1869),  Jan.  22. 

Beaver  park  funds  further  provided  by  Ciiap.  776,  Laws  of  1897. 

.Swinton  street  changed  from  Maple  st.,  March  i. 

Albany  Historical  and  Art  Society  purchases  No.  176  State  St.. 

March  15. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  ]\Iarch  ii. 


,—    -rt     '"I 


No.  56.  JOHN   BOYD  THACHER.  709 

1897. 

First  three  chemical  lire  engines  purchased,  April  3. 

Albany  Country  Club  constitution  adopted,  April  3. 

Home  Savings'  Bank  new  building.  No.  13  No.  Pearl  St.,  opened, 

April  12. 

George  H.  Treadwell  appointed  manager  N.  Y.  State  Women's 
Relief  Corps  Home  at  Oxford,  April  23. 

Steamboat  Daniel  Drew,  of  the  Hudson  River  Day  Line,  goes  out 
of  commission. 

Rensselaer  becomes  a  city,  Dr.  C.  S.  Allen  (president  of  village  of 
East  Albany,  formerly  Greenbush)  becoming  mayor;  bill  passed, 

April  23. 

Mrs.  John  C.  Cruger  (nee  Euphemia  W.  Van  Rensselaer,  third 
daughter  of  the  Patroon,  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  who  died 
1839)  dies  at  Croton,  N.  Y.  April  27. 

Lutheran  Tabernacle  Church  (Clinton  avenue  north  side,  west  of 
Northern  Boulevard)   erected. 

State  dog  license  law  case  decided  against  by  Court  of  Appeals, 

Tenth  Battalion  participates  in  State  camp  service  near  Peekskill 
(Major  H.  P.  Stacpole),  June  26- July  3. 

Col.  Henry  T.  Sanford  (i6th  Reg't,  N.  Y".  Vols.)  dies,       July  19. 

Liederkranz  Singing  Society  incorporated. 

Johnnie  Conway,  5-year-old  son  of  Michael  J.  Conway,  a  trairf 
despatcher  living  at  No.  99  Colonic  st.,  kidnapped  by  Joseph  M. 
Hardy  (an  uncle)  and  H.  G.  Blake,  and  held  for  ransom  of 
$3,000,  Aug.  16. 

Mayor  J.  B.  Thacher's  proclamation  offering  $500  reward  for  return 
of  Johnnie  Conway  and  apprehension  of  kidnappers,      Aug.  17. 

George  Theodore  Greeker,  agent  of  The  Times-Union,  discovers  the 
persons  who  kidnapped  Johnnie  Conway  and  gives  notification, 

Aug.  18. 

John  F.  Farrell,  Police  Commissioner  Phelan,  Captain  Riley  (private 
detective)  and  Matthew  Greagan  drive  out  on  Schenectady 
turnpike  and  secure  Johnnie  Conway  near  the  Methodist  church 
where  he  was  held  in  confinement  by  Warner,  3  a.  m.,    Aug.  19. 

Erastus  Corning  (b.  Albany,  June  16,  1827)  striken  with  apoplexy 
while  driving  on  Troy  road,  and  dies  at  home  of  Dean  Sage. 
Menands  ;  head  of  the  Corning  Iron  Works  at  Troy  and  Breaker 
Is.,  prominent  Democrat  and  philanthropist,  with  summer  homc 
and  stock  farm  at  Kenwood,  Aug.  30. 

Police  signal  boxes  placed  in  the  4th  precinct,  October. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Van  Alstyne  chosen  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the 
Charter  election,  receiving  8,172  votes  as  the  Democratic  candi- 
date; his  opponent,  Selden  E.  Marvin,  receiving  6,014  votes  as 


yiO  JOHN    EOYD   THACHER.  No.  56. 

1897. 


the  Republican  candidate;  George  H.  Stevens  receiving  6,012 
votes  as  Independent  Municipal  Party  candidate ;  Robert  H. 
Moore  receiving  1,754  votes;  George  DuBois  receiving  108 
votes ;  blank,  etc.,  932  votes ;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  22,992 ; 
Van  Alstyne's  majority  over  Marvin  being  2,158  votes  he  is 
declared  elected  mayor,  Nov.  2. 

Rensselaer  holds  first  municipal  election  and  elects  Bradford  R. 
Lansing,  mayor.  Nov.  2. 

Albany  Railway  first  operates  cars  into  Rensselaer,  Nov.  4. 

Carrie  Turner  (wife  of  John  Mack)  a  graduate  of  x\lbany  High 
school,  leading  lady  at  Madison  Square  theatre.  New  York,  and 
starring  in  "  Niobe,"  "  Young  Mrs.  Winthrop  "  and  "  Crust  of 
Society,"  dies,  Nov.  13. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  20. 

•         •         • 
(See  No.  60.) 


AIASONIC   TE^IPLE. 

Erected  by  the  fraternity  of  Albany  under  super\ision  of  Masonic  Hall 
Association,  James  Ten  Eyck,  President;  corner-stone  laid  June  24,  1895; 
dedicated  Oct.  26,  1896;  on  site  of  first  Lodge  House  owned  by  a  Masonic 
Lodge  in  America  (n.  w.  cor.  Maiden  Lane  and  Lodge  st.)  purchased 
Oct.  17,  1766,  by  Bro.  Samuel  Stringer,  and  erected  in  1768;  remaining 
property  of  IMasters'  Lodge  until  presented  to  Masonic  Hall  Ass'n  in  1895. 


No.  57. 


May  1,  1S8S  — May  4,  1890. 


No.  57. 

EDWARD  AUGUSTIN  MAHER. 

Date  of  office:     May  i,  1888-May  4,  1890. 

Date  of  election:     April  10,  1888. 

Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     11,766. 

Opponent:     John  Swinburne,  J\I.  D. 

Political  party:     Republican. 

Vote:    9,013;  scattering,   22. 

Total  vote:  '  20,801. 

Date  of  birth:     May  20,  1848. 

Place  of  birth:     No.  87  Canal  street. 

Parents:     Thomas  (M.)  and  Julia  Pendergast. 

Education:     Christian  Brothers  Academy  and  Normal  School. 

Married  to:     Jennie  M.  Tiernan. 

Date:     Albany,  July  20,  1869. 

Children:     (8)   Thomas  A.,  Edward  A..  Julia  M.  (Geraghty),  Jane 

Tiernan,  Robert,  Kathleen,  Florence,  John  A. 
Residence:     No.  270  Madison  avenue. 

Occupation:     Manager  Albany  Electric  Illuminating  Company. 
Religion:     Roman  Catholic. 
Title:     Honorable. 
Remarks:     President  Union  Railway  Company,  of  New  York  city. 

General    manager    Albany    Electric    Illuminating    Company. 

President  South  End  Bank.     School  No.  i  completed. 


57-     EDWARD  AUGUSTIX   .MAMER. 
I 888- I 890. 
From  a   photograph   made   from    life    in    1903   and   owned   by   The   Albany- 
Institute. 


No.  57.  EDWARD  AUGUSTIN   MAKER.  713 

1888. 

(Continued   from   No.   56.) 
1888. 


Edward  Augustin  jMaher  sworn  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  having  been 
chosen  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  loth,  when  he 
received  11,766  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate  ;  his  opponent, 
John  Swinburne,  M.  D.,  receiving  9,013  votes  as  the  Republican 
candidate ;  scattering,  22  votes ;  total  number  of  votes  cast, 
20,801  ;  Maher's  majority  over  Swinburne  being  2,753  votes, 

May  I. 

Sir  Thomas  Henry  Grattan  Esmonde,  M.  P.,  received  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  and  honored  with  a  recess  for  his  reception ;  speaking 
at  Union  Hall  in  the  evening,  May   i. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  Edward  A.  Alaher;  Common  Council; 
Frederick  W.  Klarr,  I.  Christopher  Fleming,  H.  John  Bowe, 
ni.  Thomas  Ansbro,  IV.  Philip  Russ,  V.  James  Brennan. 
VI.  Edward  F.  Duffey,  VII.  Thomas  J.  Judge,  VIII.  Michael 
F.  Conners,  IX.  John  J.  O'Connor,  X.  John  R.  Park,  XI. 
Arthur  F.  Corscadden,  XII.  Clifford  D.  Gregory,  XIII.  Gar- 
ret A.  Van  Allen,  XIV.  John  J.  Greagan,  XV.  James  G. 
Cummings,  XVI.  Jeremiah  Harris,  Jr.,  XVII.  John  V.  L. 
Pruyn,  Louis  W.  Pratt  (at-large)  ;  John  Bowe  (III),  president. 
Election,  April  10;  sworn  in,  May  i. 

Arcade  proposed  from  Broadway,  through  Meads-Duer  property  to 
N.  Y.  Central  station.  May  i. 

Strike  of  Knights  of  Labor  employees  of  breweries.  May  5. 

Emma  Abbott  sings  opera  "  Martha  "  at  Martin  Opera  House, 

May  7. 

Architects  protest  against  removal  of  the  stone  ceiling  of  Assembly 
chamber,  May  7. 

Roscoe  Conkling  memorial  legislative  meeting  at  Lark  street  rink. 
Col.  Robert  G.  Ingersoll,  orator,  May  9. 

Legislature  adjourns,  Alay  11. 

Y.  M.  C.  A.  secures  Riverside  park,  Greenljush,  for  evening  athletics. 

May  14. 

Albany  County  Bank  opens  new  building  (s.  e.  corner  Pearl  and 
State  streets).  May. 

Public  Market  site    (Hudson  avenue,  Grand  and    l)caver  streets), 
buildings  sold  at  auction  by  Wm.  D.  Dickinson,  May  24. 

Sir  Thomas  LI.  G.  Esmonde  presented  with  silver  casket  containing 
the  freedom  of  the  city  (as  voted  by  Common  Council  May  ist), 

Mav  26. 


714  EDWARD  AUGUSTIN  MAHER.  No.  57. 

1888. 

Y.  W.  C.  A.  established  (  Xo.  128  State  street),  May. 

Memorial  Day  parade  with  James  Macfarlane  grand  marshal. 

May  30. 

Patroon's  creek  sewer  completed  by  Contractor  Patrick  McCann, 

June. 

Hawk  street  viaduct  bill,  No.  512,  signed  by  Gov.  D.  B.  Hill. 

June  II. 

Dog  show  of  good  proportions  in  Academy  of  Music  (old  skating- 
rink  on  west  side  ot  Lark  street),  Wm.  C.  Hudson,  president, 

June  12. 

Steve  Brodie,  professional  jumper  of  note  since  plunging  from 
Brooklyn  bridge,  starts  swimming  from  this  city  on  June  24th, 
and  beats  the  world's  swimming  record  between  Albany  and 
New  York,  making  it  in  6  days  and  i  hour,  which  is  9  hours 
superior  to  Capt.  Paul  Boyton's  record,  arriving  in  good  form 
at  New  York,  June  30. 

Komuk  Club  organized  and  leases  the  handsome  brown-stone  resi- 
dence at  s.  w.  corner  of  Washington  avenue  and  Dove  street, 

June. 

Albania  Orchestra  of  expert  amateurs  organizes  for  instrumental 
work. 

Gen.  Philip  Henry  Sheridan,  born  at  Albany  on  ]\Iarch  6,  1831,  a 
graduate  of  West  Point  in  1853 ;  promoted  to  captain  at  out- 
break of  Civil  War  in  1861 ;  appointed  quartermaster  of  the 
army  in  southwestern  Missouri,  December,  1861 ;  colonel  of 
cavalry.  May,  1862;  brigadier-general  of  volunteers,  July  i, 
1862;  major-general  of  volunteers,  Dec.  31,  1862;  commander 
of  cavalry  corps  of  Army  of  Potomac,  April,  1864;  brigadier- 
general  in  regular  arm}-,  September,  1864;  major-general,  Nov. 
8,  1864;  commander  Department  of  Gulf,  1865-67;  commander 
Department  of  Missouri,  1867;  made  lieutenant-general  and  re- 
signed by  his  General  Orders  No.  17  on  Nov.  i,  1883 ;  succeeded 
Sherman  as  general-in-chief,  1883;  rank  of  General  conferred 
by  the  Congress  in  1888 ;  celebrated  successful  campaign  in 
Shenandoah  Valley  and  his  famous  victory  of  Cedar  Creek 
(Sheridan's  Ride),  Oct.  19,  1864;  dies  at  Nonquit,  Mass., 

Aug.   5. 

Burns  statue  (MacPherson  bequest)  unveiled,  Aug.  30. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  Herman  W.  Lipman  its  (13th) 
president  (succeeding  W.  P.  Rudd  of  1887). 

Hon.  James  G.  Blaine  speaks  before  20,000  at  Fair  Grounds,  Troy 
road. 


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No.  57.  EDWARD  AUGUSTIX   MAHER.  /T^ 

1888-1889. 

Melvil  Dewey  appointed  secretary  of  Board  of  Regents  and  director 

of  N.  Y.  State  Library,  Dec.  12. 

Albany  Club  (No.  102  State  street)  incorporated,  Dec.  14. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  14. 


1889. 


Inaugural  parade  of  Gov.  D.  B.  Hill,  G.  A.  R.  posts  and  loth  Bat- 
talion under  Lt.-Col.  Wm.  E.  Fitch,  and  address,  Jan.  i. 

Electrocution  in  force,  Jan.  i. 

Savings  banks  of  Albany  change  from  3^  to  4^,  Jan.  i. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  for  the  year ;  but  not 
elected  on  this  date  —  Mayor,  Edward  A.  Maher ;  Common 
Council :  Frederick  W.  Klarr,  I.  Christopher  Fleming,  II. 
John  Bowe,  III.  Thomas  Ansbro,  IV.  Philip  Russ,  V. 
James  Brennan,  VI.  Edward  F.  Dufifey,  VII.  Michael  F. 
Conners,  IX.  John  J.  O'Connor,  X.  John  R.  Park,  XL 
Arthur  F.  Corscadden,  XII.  Clifford  D.  Gregory,  XIII.  Gar- 
ret A.  Van  Allen,  XIV.  John  J.  Greagan,  XV.  James  J. 
Cummings,  XVI.  Jeremiah  Harris.  Jr.,  XVII.  John  V.  L. 
Pruyn,  Louis  W.  Pratt  (at-large),  John  Bowe  (III),  president. 
Holding  office  on,  Jan.   i. 

Police  department,  to  this  time,  governed  by  board  of  5  commis- 
sioners. 

Two  women  murdered  (Mrs.  Lottie  Lyons,  at  No.  53  Division  street, 
and  "  Italian  Alice  "  or  Mrs.  John  Fletcher,  at  No.  39  Hamilton 
street),  Jan.  2. 

Decision  to  organize  Park  Bank  (Grange  Sard,  pres.),  Jan.  7. 

School  No.  4  site  (corner  Madison  avenue  and  Ontario  street) 
adopted,  Jan.  21. 

Alderman  John  \'.  L.  Pruyn,  Jr.,  reports  to  Common  Council  that 
the  committee  has  been  able  to  secure  but  two  portraits  of 
mayors  for  the  city's  collection,  Jan.  21. 

Albany  Female  Academy  building  portico  standing  on  North  Pearl 
street  sidewalk  discussed  by  aldermen,  contemplating  removal 
as  nuisance,  Jan.  21. 

John  McEwen  resigns  as  superintendent  of  penitentiarv  (to  take 
effect  on  May  ist),  Ian.  22. 

Union  College  x\lumni  Association  organized  at  Dclavan  House, 

Jan.  22. 

Assembly  ceiling  of  papier  mache  or  mahogany  discussed.     Ian.  25. 


yi6  EDWARD    AUGUSTIN     MAKER.  No.  57. 

1889. 

John  M.  Peck,  at  No.  85  Clinton  avenue,  is  swindled  out  of  $10,000 
by  two  men  claiming  to  be  real  estate  agents  named  Corning, 

Jan.  26. 

Hygeia  baths,  the  first  of  the  kind  of  any  importance  in  city,  opened 
at  No.  132  State  street,  Jan.  31. 

Coasting  or  "  bobbing "  carnival  races  on  Madison  avenue,  illumi- 
nations and  music  by  band,  the  long  bob  Alderman  Connors 
killing  young  Charles  O'Hara,  Feb.  2. 

Telephone  pay  stations  inaugurated,  Feb.  10. 

Penitentiary  contracts   (shoes)  terminating,  Feb.   15. 

Albany  Kennel  Club's  2nd  bench-show,  Academy  of  Music,  March  5. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  20. 

Dr.  John  Swinburne,  ex-mayor  and  one  of  the  greatest  benefactors 
ever  in  Albany,  through  his  free  dispensary  on  Eagle  street, 
dies,  March  28. 

Centennial  celebration  of  inauguration  of  George  Washington  takes 
Governor  Hill  with  State  troops  and  numerous  Albanians  to 
New  York  for  parade  and  ball  in  Metropolitan  Opera  House, 

April  30. 

?«Iohawk  &  Hudson  River  Humane  Society  assumed  as  its  changed 
title  of  Albany  County  Society  for  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to 
Children,  May  3. 

Charles  Gottlieb  Fasoldt,  prominent  manufacturing  jeweler,  cele- 
brated widely  as  maker  of  finest  chronometers,  inventor  of  the 
hairspring  stud  screw  regulator,  maker  of  the  first  8-day  watch, 
awarded  medals  for  ruling  1,000.000  lines  to  the  inch  on  glass 
to  test  microscopic  lenses,    (b.  Dresden,  Ger.,   1818)    dies. 

May  13, 

Johnstown,  Pa.,  flood  sufiferers  aided  by  city  subscription,  forwarded 
by  the  mayor,  the  Conemaugh  valley  dam  bursting  and  15,000 
drowning.  May  31. 

Death  of  Harriet  Langdon  Roberts  Parker,  wife  of  Judge  Amasa 
J.  Parker,  (third  dau.  of  Edmund  Roberts,  b.  Portsmouth,  N. 
H.,  March  28,  1814;  married  there,  Aug.  2"/,  1834)  dies  at  the 
family  home.  No.  143  Washington  ave.,  June  27. 

Albany  Railway  carries  4,047.473  passengers,  year  ending  June  30. 

Savings  banks  of  Albany  increase  interest  from  31^  to  44,        July  i. 

School  No.  I  completed. 

Tenth  Battalion  participates  in  State  camp  service  near  Peekskil! 
(Lt.-Col.  Wm.  E.  Fitch),  July  6-13. 

Florence  Quinlan  murdered  in  stable  on  Herkimer  street  by  James 
P.  Grace,  July  31. 


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No.  57.  EUWAKU  ALGLSTIX    .MAliER.  717 

1889. 

Samuel  li.  Ransom,  stove  manufacturer  ( b.  Lyme,  Conn.,  i8i8), 
dies,  Au;:;-.  17. 

L,eland  Opera  House  opened  with  "  Lost  in  New  York,"  inaugurat- 
ing cheap  rates,  and  known  as  H.  R.  Jacobs'  Opera  House, 

Aug.  19. 

Electric  car  on  Troy  &  Lansinglxirg  line  runs  from  latter  place  to 
city  line  of  Troy,  Aug.  27. 

Gen.  James  M.  Warner  appointed  post-master  (succeeding  Dr.  D.  V. 
6'Leary),  Aug.  28. 

John  M.  Bailey  appointed  surveyor  of  the  port,  Aug.  28. 

Edward  P.  Waterbury  (principal  of  N.  Y.  State  Normal  School) 
dies,  Aug.  28. 

Y.  1\L  A.  deeds  building  (s.  w  corner  North  Pearl  and  Steuben 
streets)  for  $70,000  to  D.  &  H.  Railroad  Company,       Aug.  30. 

Normal  College  elects  William  J.  Milne  its  (ist)  president,  (succeed- 
ing Principal  of  Normal  School  E.  P.  Waterbury  of  1882). 

Armory  stonework  commenced  (Washington  avenue),  Sept.  i. 

Albany  Theatre  opened  as  Proctor's  Albany  Theatre,  Sept.  2. 

Maj.  Charles  H.  Gaus  one  of  team  winning  silver  bowl  trophy  at  the 
large  rifle  match  at  Sea  Girt,  N.  J.,  September. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  Charles  H.  Gaus  its  (14th)  presi- 
dent (succeeding  FL  W.  Lipman  of  1888). 

State  Fair,  the  49th  (James  Wood,  pres.)  held  at  Albany  (9th  and 
last  time). 

P.  J.  AIcArdle  junk-shop  (iron  and  rags).  Arch  and  Church  streets, 
burned  and  several  killed,  Sept.  9. 

Hon.  M.  N.  Nolan's  steeple-chaser,  Bourke  Cockran  (in  9  years  won 
44  of  123  starts;  ^Ji./Tfi  in  prizes),  killed  at  Island  Park  course, 

Sept.  10. 

Samuel  N.  Bacon  (head  of  Bacon,  Stickney  &  Co.,  Dean  and  Ex- 
change streets,  cofifee  and  spices),  born  at  Harvard,  Jan.  25, 
1829,  dies,  Sept.  ii. 

Electric  cars  of  Watervliet  Turnpike  &  Railroad  Co.  given  a  trial, 

Sept.  13. 

Assembly  ceiling  (material)  case  before  Grand  Jury,  Sept.  13. 

Albany  Railway  granted  franchise  to  erect  trolley  poles,        Sept.  16. 

Assembly  ceiling  case  closed,  Sept.  19. 

Electric  cars  (8  motors)  given  a  trial  from  West  Troy  bridge  to 
barns  at  North  Albany  on  Watervliet  Turnpike  &  Railroad  line 
(Wm.  B.  Van  Rensselaer,  pres.),  Monday,  Sept.  23. 

Electric  cars  of  W.  T.  &  R.  R.  Co.  run  (five  cars)  regularly  from 
North  Albany  through  West  Troy  (Watervliet),  Sept.  26. 

Bradford.  R.  Wood,  lawyer  (b.  Westport,  Conn.,  Sept.  30,  1800) 
dies,  Sept.  26 


7l8  EDWARD  AUGUSTIN  MAKER.  No.  57. 

1889-1890. 

Armory  corner-stone  (Washington  avenue  and  Lark  street)  laid  by 
Grand  Master  James  Ten  Eyck  and  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons ; 
address  by  Gov.  D.  B.  Hill ;  Col.  Wm.  E.  Fitch  commanding 
military*  Sept.  26. 

Harmanus  Bleecker  Hall  opened,  addresses  by  Bishop  Wm.  C. 
Do^ne,  Judge  Amasa  J.  Parker  and  Chancellor  Henry  R.  Pier- 
son;  poem  by  Wm.  D.  Morange ;  ode  by  Irving  Browne  set  to 
music  by  Geo.  E.  Oliver,  with  Parlati's  orchestra ;  anthem, 
Haydn's  "Achieved  is  the  Glorious  Work,"  (Fuller  &  Wheeler, 
architects),  Oct.  9. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Dec.  4. 

West  End  Gun  Club  organized,  Dec.  6. 

Albany  Railway  elects  Robert  C.  Pruyn  (sixth)  president,     Dec.  6. 

James  A.  Gray,  piano  manufacturer  (b.  in  New  York,  1815),  dies, 

Dec.  9. 

John  A.  wSleicher  appointed  State  civil  service  commissioner, 

Dec.  16. 

1890. 


Population  of  Albany  94,923. 

Population  of  the  State  (New  York  State)   5,997,853. 

Police  department  (by  White  charter)  placed  in  Department  of 
Public  Safety,  under  a  commissioner. 

Board  of  Public  Instruction  elects  Michael  F.  Walsh  its  (15th)  pres- 
ident (succeeding  C.  H.  Gaus  of  1889). 

Col.  Robert  G.  Ingersoll  the  orator  at  State  Bar  Association's  annual 
meeting,  Harmanus  Bleecker  Hall,  Jan.  21. 

Beaver  park  provided  for  by  Chap.  449,  Laws  of  1890. 

Normal  School  chartered  as  a  college,  March  13. 

River  opened  (Government  record),  March  19. 

Albany  Police  Beneficiary  Association  organized,  March  26. 

Ediuund  Lewis  Judson  (ex-mayor)  dies,  April  8. 

Albany  Railway  operates  its  first  electric  car,  from  Quail  street  car- 
house  to  Broadway  and  back,  Sunday,  April  28. 

James  Hilton  Manning  chosen  mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  elec- 
tion, receiving  13,552  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate;  his  op- 
ponent, Howard  N.  Fuller,  receiving  6,316  votes  as  the  Repub- 
lican candidate ;  scattering,  8  votes ;  total  number  of  votes  cast, 
19,876;  Manning's  majority  over  Fuller  being  7,236  votes  he  is 
declared  elected  mayor  of  Albany,  April  8. 

•         •         • 
(See  No.  58.) 


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No.  58. 


May  5,  1890  —  May  2,  1592. 
May  3,  1892  — April  30,  1894. 


No.  58. 
JAMES    HILTON    MANNING. 

Date  of  office:     (a)   May  5,  1890-May  2,  1892. 
(b)   May  3,  1892-April  30,  1894. 

Date  of  election:     (a)   April  8,  1890. 
(b)   April  12,  1892. 

Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     (a)    13,552. 
(b)    12,781. 

Opponent:     (a)    Howard  N.  Fuller, 
(b)   James  M.  Warner. 

Political  party:     Republican. 

l-'otc:     (a)   6,316;  scattering,  8. 
(b)   7,528;  scattering,  30. 

Total  vote:     (a)    19,876. 
(b)   20,339. 

Date  of  birth:     September  22,  1854. 

Place  of  birtli:     No.  16  First  street. 

Parents:     Daniel  (M.)  and  Mary  Little. 

Education:     Public  schools,  Albany  Free  Academy. 

Married  to:     Emma  Jane  Austin. 

Date:     Albany,  October  22,  1879. 

Children:     (i)    Beatrice. 

Residence:     No.  409  State  street. 

Occupation,:     Publisher. 

Religion:     Episcopalian. 

Title:     Major. 

Remarks:  Major  Third  Brigade,  N.  G.  N.  Y.  On  first  election 
received  almost  as  large  a  majority  as  opponent  received  votes. 
School  No.  10  completed,  1890;  school  No.  4  completed,  1892  ; 
school  No.  6  completed,  1893  ;  school  No.  24  completed,  1893. 
President  Weed-Parsons  Printing  Company,  President  Hud- 
son River  Telephone  Company.  President  National  Savings 
Bank,  January,  1904. 


1 


58.     JAMES  HILTON   MANNING. 
1890-1894. 
From  a  pliotograph  made  from  life  hy  Brown  in  1903,  and  owned  by  The 
Albany  Institute. 


No.  58.  JAMES   HILTON    .\rANNIi\G.  721 

1890. 

(CoiUiimc'I  from  No.  57.) 
1890. 


James  Hilton  Alanning"  sworn  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  having  been 
chosen  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  8th,  when  he  re- 
ceived 13,552  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate;  his  opponent, 
Howard  N.  Fuller,  receiving  6,316  votes  as  the  Republican  can- 
didate; scattering,  8  votes;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  19,876; 
Manning's  majority  over  Fuller  being  7,236  votes.  May  5. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  James  H.  Manning ;  Common  Council: 
George  Krank,  I.  Christopher  Fleming,  H.  John  Bowe,  111. 
Thomas  Ansbro,  IV.  Philip  Russ,  V.  James  Brennan,  VI. 
Edward  F.  Dufi'ey,  VII.  James  F.  Martin,  VIII.  John  F. 
Fitzgerald,  IX.  John  I.  O'Connor.  X.  Benjamin  ^^lulderry, 
XI. '  Clifford  D.  Gregory,  XIII.  Garret  A.  Van  Allen,  XIV. 
John  J.  Greagan,  XV.  James  G.  Cummings,  X\''I.  Thomas 
J.  Gillooly,  XVII.  Louis  W.  Pratt,  Thomas  F.  Mason  (at- 
large)  ;  John  Bowe  (III),  president.  Election,  April  8;  sworn 
in.  May  5. 

Duncan  Campbell,  highly  respected  attorney,  with  office  in  Tweddle 
building  and  a  private  collector  of  Indian  curios,  dies  at  his 
residence,  No.  11  Washington  avenue,  (funeral  attended  by  the 
bar  on   loth).  May  6. 

Legislature  adjourns.  May  9. 

Telephone  Company  vs.  Watervliet  Turnpike  &  Railroad  Company's 
final  testimony  (because  of  injury  by  electric  current  to  tele- 
phone service)  before  Referee  Isaac  Lawson,  May  10. 

Judge  Amasa  J.  Parker,  foremost  jurist  and  organizer  of  the  Albany 
Law  School,  dies  at  his  home.  No.  143  Washington  ave., 

May  13. 

Albany  Railway  Co.  offers  200  horses  for  sale  at  Central  avenue 
stables.  May  15. 

Grand  Master  Workman  Terence  Powderley  in  Knights  of  Labor 
parade,  May  22. 

Albanv  Railway  Co.  equips  Hamilton  street  with  electric  poles. 

May  25. 

Madison  avenue  (Lark  to  Eagle)  paving  contract,  asphalt,  $45,155.45, 
let,  Aug.  3. 

Hawk  street  viaduct  erected  (Hilton  Bridge  Construction  Co.V 

School  No.  10  completed. 


722  TAMES   HILTON    MANNING.  No.  58. 

1890-1891. 

Empire  Curling  Club  chartered  incorporated. 

Philip  Livingston  Chapter,  Sons  of  American  Revolution,  organized 

at  house  of  Maj.  Harmon  P.  Read,  No.  236  State  st. 
State  Fair,  the  50th,  held  at  Syracuse  and  continuously  thereafter. 
River  closed  (Government  record),  Dec.  3. 


1891. 


Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  for  the  year;  but  not 
elected  on  this  date  —  Mayor,  James  H.  Manning;  Common 
Council :  George  Krank,  I.  Christopher  Fleming,  II.  John 
Bowe,  III.  Thomas  Ansbro,  IV.  Philip  Russ,  V,  James 
Brennan,  VL  Edward  F.  Dufl'ey,  VII.  James  F.  Martin,  VIII. 
John  F.  Fitzgerald,  IX.  John  J.  O'Connor,  X.  Benjamin  Mul- 
derry,  XI.  Thomas  Jones,  XII.  Clifford  D.  Gregory,  XIII. 
Garret  A.  Van  Allen,  XIV.  John  J.  Greagan,  XV.  James 
G.  Cummings,  XVI.  Thomas  J.  Gillooly,  XVII.  Louis  W. 
Pratt,  Thomas  F.  ]\Iaspn  (at-large)  ;  John  Bowe  (HI),  presi- 
dent.    Holding  office  on,  Jan.   i. 

Empire  Curling  Club  rink  (south  side  of  Yates  street,  west  of  Lake 
avenue)  opened,  Jan.  5. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  25. 

Albany  Camera  Club  (No.  y2  Chapel  street)  incorporated,  April  2"/. 

Joseph  Kline  Emmet,  originator  of  German  dialect  comedy  on  the 
stage,  combining  it  with  graceful  dancing,  singing  of  senti- 
mental or  comic  songs  and  yodling,  born  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  the 
son  of  William  B.  Emmet  and  wife  Evelina,  on  March  13,  1841, 
married  Elizabeth  Webber  of  that  city,  July,  1864,  attempted  his 
original  comedy  in  well-known  character  of  "  Fritz,"  at  Academy 
of  Music,  Buffalo,  Nov.  22,  1869,  giving  the  second  perform- 
ance in  this  city  and  continuing  it  here  for  two  weeks  because 
of  its  great  popularity;  bought  property  on  A'an  Rensselaer 
Boulevard  and  erected  "  Fritz  Villa  "  (later  "  Wolfert's  Roost  " 
of  Senator  David  B.  Hill),  traveling  extensively  abroad  acting, 
and  acquiring  considerable  wealth,  dies  at  Cornwall-on-Hudson, 

June  15. 

Horatio  Potter  Stacpole  made  major  of  the  loth  Battalion,  June  20. 

Fourth  Police  Precinct  station  house  plans  by  F.  H.  Janes,  Dove  and 
Lancaster  streets,  accepted,  July  i. 

Adam  Cook  (ex-alderman,  leather  mercliant)  dies  in  New  York, 

July  17. 


FRITZ  VILLA  — WOLFERT'S  ROOST. 

J.  K.  Emmet,  actor,  originator  of  German  dialect  comedy  in  conjunction 
with  yodling  songs  and  dances  in  1869,  made  Albany  his  home  about  1882  and 
erected  a  handsome  residence  on  Van  Rensselaer  Boulevard  which  he  named 
"  Fritz  Villa."  He  died  June  15,  iSgi.and  Sen.  David  B.  Hill  secured  the  estate, 
naming  it  "  Wolfert's  Roost."     (From  photographs  by  Cuyler  Reynolds.) 


Xo.  58.  JAMES    HILTON    MANNING.  723 

1891-1892. 

Tenth  Battalion  participates  in  State  camp  service  near  Peekskill, 
Lieut. -Col.  William  E.  Fitch  commanding.  July  25- Aug",  i. 

Gen.  John  Palmer  elected  commander-in-chief  of  the  G.  A.  R.  at 
the  National  encampment  at  Detroit,  Aug.  7. 

Gen.  John  Palmer  escorted  from  depot  to  his  home,  No.  728  ]Madi- 
son  avenue,  hy  military  hodies,  Grand  Marshal  Shoemaker,  illu- 
minations, Aug.  TO. 

George  W.  Van  Slyke,  tobacco  merchant  at  No.  471  Broadway  (b. 
New  Baltimore,  Sept.  5,  1831),  dies  at  home,  No.  756  Aladison 
avenue,  Aug.  11. 

President  Benjamin  Harrison  arrives  here  in  afternoon  and  is  es- 
corted by  military  bodies  to  stand  before  the  Cit}^  Hall  wdiere  he 
is  welcomed  by  Alayor  Manning  and  speaks,  Aug.  18. 

John  G.  ^ilills'  residence,  Xo.  921  }kladison  avenue,  robbed  of  jewelry, 

Aug.   19. 

Rev.  Dr.  J.  Livingston  Reese,  St.  Paul's  Church,  resigns,     Aug.  24. 

Simon  W.  Rosendale  elected  State  attorney-general,  X"ov.  3. 

Judge  William  L.  Learned  dined  on  approaching  retirement  of  14 
years  as  Supreme  Court  justice  (Dec.  31)  by  Lawyers'  Club, 

Nov.  10. 

Times-L'nion  first  published,  Xov.  17. 

State  armory  (  \\'ashington  avenue  and  Lark  street)  opened. 

River  closed  (Government  record),  Dec.  25. 


1892. 


Roswell  P.   Flower  becomes  Governor,  Jan.    i. 

Population  of  Albany  97,120. 

Albany  Chamber  Music  Club  organized,  January. 

Harmanus   Bleecker   Hall   floored  over  and  used  as   ball-room   by 

]\Iisses  Hu\bertie  Pruyn,  Grace  Marvin  and  Louisa  Parker. 

Jan.  5 
Mrs.  Scott-Siddons  plays  "  Check  and  Alate  "  at  Leland,  Jan.  7 
Consolidated  Car-Heating  Co.  (Robert  C.  Pruyn,  pres.)  incorporated 
Campanini  sings  at  Jermaln  hall,  Jan.  11 

Albany  Burns  Club  reorganized,  Jan.   19 

Emma  Fames  and  De  Reszke  sing  "  Romeo  and  Juliet,"  Gran  Opera 

Co.,  at  Flarmanus  Bleecker  Flail,  Jan.  25 

Beaver  park  law  (providing  for)  amended  by  Chap.   134,  Laws  of 

1892. 
Church  of  the  Assumption  on  Hamilton  street  destroyed  l)y  fire, 

Jan.  2^. 


724  JAMES   HILTON    MANNING.  No.  58. 

1892. 

Alme.  Emma  Albani  and  Mme.  Sofie  Scalchi  sing  "  Les  Hugue- 
nots," Harmanus  Bleecker  Hall,  Jan.  30. 

Grand  opera  (Grau  Co.)  at  Harmanus  Bleecker  Hall  throughout 
week  ending  Jan.  30. 

Albany  Railway  erects  electric  car  barns  at  North  Albany,      Feb.  i. 

Bishop  Wm.  Croswell  Doane  appointed  member  of  Board  of  Re- 
gents, Feb.   10. 

Albany  Railway  leases  Watervliet  Turnpike  &  Railroad  Co.  March  i. 

]\Iohawk  &  Hudson  River  Humane  Society  for  the  Prevention  01 
Cruelty  to  Animals  incorporated,  March  8. 

Thomas  McCredie,  proprietor  of  large  malt  houses.  No.  34  Clinton 
avenue,  dies,  March  25. 

River  opened  (Government  record),  March  31. 

Seneca  street  changed  from  Ontario  square,  April  18. 

Hon.  John  A.  McCall  (b.  Albany,  March  2,  1849),  who  had  been 
made  State  superintendent  of  insurance  April  23,  1883,  and  re- 
signed to  become  comptroller  of  the  Equitable  Life  Insurance 
Co.,  in  New  York,  Jan.  i,  1886,  becomes  president  of  the  New 
York  Life  Lisurance  Co.,  Feb.  12. 

James  H.  Manning  re-elected  ]\Iayor  of  Albany  in  recognition  of  his 
admirable,  energetic  administration,  at  the  Charter  election,  re- 
ceiving 12,781  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  his  opponent, 
James  M.  Warner,  receiving  7,528  votes  as  the  Republican  can- 
didate ;  scattering,  30  votes ;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  20,339 ; 
JManning's  majority  over  Warner  being  5,253  votes  he  is  de- 
clared to  be  elected  mayor,  April  12. 
•         •         • 

James  Hilton  Manning  is  sworn  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  having  been 
re-elected  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  I2thj  when  his 
majority  as  the  Democratic  candidate  over  James  M.  Warner, 
the  Republican  candidate,  was  5,253  votes,  Alay  3, 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  James  H.  Manning ;  Common  Council : 
Henry  J.  Pflantz,  L  Edward  A.  Durning,  H.  John  F.  Dono- 
van, HL  Michael  J.  Hogan,  IV.  Philip  Russ,  V.  Charles 
Tiernan,  VI.  Michael  J.  Brown,  VII.  James  F.  Martin,  VIII. 
John  F.  Fitzgerald,  IX.  John  J.  O'Connor,  X.  Benjamin 
Mulderry,  XI.  Thomas  S.  Jones,  XII.  Edward  B.  Cantine, 
XIII.  George  H.  Stevens,  XIV.  James  H.  Powers,  XV, 
Michael  T.  Coleman,  XVI.  Kenneth  J.  Ferguson,  XVII. 
Joseph  Fisher,  Charles  H.  Armatage  (at-large),  Charles  H. 
Armatage  (at-large),  president.     Election,  April  12;  sworn  in. 

May  3. 


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1892-1893. 


Steamboat  General,  named  in  honor  of  Gen.  Daniel  [Uitterfield,  i^ut 
on  the  passenger-freight  line  to  Catskill,  May. 

Marcus  T.  Hun.  John  J-  Maas  and  E.  Kearney  appointed  commis- 
sioners to  a]:)piaise  land  for  Beaver  park,  by  Supreme  Court, 

May  q. 

New  water  board,  advocates  of  Kinderhook  supply,  ai)i)ointed. 

May  12. 

Board  of  Public   Instruction  elects  Judge  William   L.   Learned  its 
(16th)  president  (succeeding  M.  F.  Walsh  of  1890). 

Thomas   H.   Dwyer   appointed   superintendent   of   school   buildings 
(succeeding  J.  H.  Oliver  of  1887). 

Tenth  Battalion  goes  to  Buffalo  and  serves  in  railroad  riots, 

Aug.  18-25. 

School  No.  4  completed. 

Howard  J.  Rogers  appointed  superintendent  of  N.  Y.  educational 
exhibit  at  World's  Columbian  Exposition,  Chicago,       October. 

Albany  Railway  reduces  fare  on  hill  lines  6  to  5  cents,  Dec.  i. 

Fort  Orange  Mills  on  Columbia  street  pier  burned,  Dec.  19. 

Albany  City  Band  incorporated. 

River  closed   (Government  record),  Dec.  22. 


1893. 


Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  for  the  vear ;  but  not 
elected  on  this  date  —  Mayor,  James  H.  Manning ;  Common 
Council:  Henry  J.  Pflantz,  L  Edward  A.  Durning.  H.  John 
P".  Donovan,  HI.  Michael  J.  Flogan,  lA'.  Timothy  J.  Sullivan, 
V.  Charles  Tiernan,  VI.  Michael  J.  Brown,  YII.  James  F. 
Martin,  VIII.  John  F.  Fitzgerald,  IX  :  John  J.  O'Connor,  X. 
Benjamin  Mulderry,  XI.  Thomas  .S.  Jones,  XII.  Thomas  F. 
Mason,  XIII.  George  H.  Stevens,  XI\'.  James  H.  Powers. 
XV.  Michael  J.  Coleman,  XVI.  Kenneth  J.  Ferguson,  XA'II. 
Joseph  Fisher,  Charles  H.  Armatage  (at-large)  ;  Charles  H. 
Armatage  (at-large),  president.     Holding  office  on,  Jan.  i. 

Charles  B.  Woolverton  dies,  Jan.  2. 

Rev.  Edward  G.  Selden  becomes  minister  Madison  Avenue  Re- 
formed Church. 

Third  Brigade  Signal  Telegraph  Corps  organized,  Feb.  15. 

River  opened  (Government  record),  March  31. 

Rt.  Rev.  Wm.  Ingraham  Kip,  former  rector  of  St.  Paul's  Church  and 
author,  (b.  New  York,  Oct.  3,  1811),  dies  at  San  Francisco, 

April  7. 


726  JAMES   HILTON    MANNING.  No.  58, 

1893. 

Albany  Free  Library  No.  322  South  Pearl  street  (John  A.  Howe) 
incorporated. 

Albany  Female  Academy,   Washington  avenue,   work  commenced, 

April  20. 

Edwin  Young,  attorney  for  D.  (Sz;  H.  railroad,  dies  (as  result  of  fall 
from  saddle-horse  on  Willett  street),  7\pril  24. 

Monroe  Crannell  dies,  April  26. 

N.  Y.  Central  road's  celebrated  Columbian  Exposition  engine,  "  No. 
999,"  draws  "  Empire  State  Express  "  train  at  world's  record 
rate  of  112^/2  miles  per  hour,  near  Crittenden,  N.  Y.,    April  28. 

Argus  trouble  over  control  by  factions  culminates,  April  29. 

Tivoli  Terminal  Warehouse,  North  Albany  (Marcus  T.  Reynolds, 
architect),   erected,  May. 

Officers  of  the  Holland  warship  Van  Speyk,  in  New  York  waters 
attending  Columbian  naval  pageant  (Capt.  Wm.  Arnold  Arri- 
ens),  visit  Albany,  are  given  a  luncheon  by  Mrs.  John  V.  E. 
Pruyn  and  reception  at  Fort  Orange  Club,  May  9. 

J.  B.  Lyon  Fund  for  public  improvement  closed  with  looth  sub- 
scriber making  $100,000,  on  May  10. 

Rev.  James  PL  Ecob,  long  pastor  of  Second  Presbyterian  Church, 
resigns  because  of  dogmatic  differences  (parallel  to  the  Dr. 
Briggs  case),  June  4. 

Theodore  V.  Van  Heusen  (b.  Albany,  Nov.  11,  1818;  Van  Heusen 

6  Charles,  crockery)    dies  at  residence,  No.  6  Madison  place, 

June  15. 

Albert  D.  Fuller,  superintendent  of  the  Albany  Orphan  Asylum 
since  1879  (t>.  West  Llenrietta,  Monroe  county,  N.  Y.  Sept.  27, 
1850),  dies  of  angina  pectoris,  having  given  universal  satisfac- 
tion, June  18. 

Duke  De  Veragua,  lineal  descendant  of  Columbus,  extended  freedom 
of  the  city  and  given  public  reception  by  Mrs.  James  Kidd,  No. 

7  Elk  street,  June  26. 
Albany  Rural  Cemetery  appoints  Marion  Randolph  (5th)   superin- 
tendent. 

Lemon  Thomson  &  Co.  burglary  in  Lumber  District,  July  6. 

Tenth  Battalion  participates  in  State  camp  service  near  Peekskill, 

Lieut.-Col.  William  E.  Fitch,  commanding,  July  8-15. 

Rural  cemetery  interments  number  78,081    (40,000  of  which  were 

brought  from  burial-ground,  site  of  Washington  park),  July  15. 
Sir   Walter  Besant    (British  author)    visits   the  city  and   Masonic 

lodges,  July  17. 

Y.  M.  C.  A.  receives  Edmund  W.  Booth  as  secretary,  Aug.  i. 

Police  patrol  wagon  in  service,  Aug.  14. 


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No.  58.  JAMES    HILTON    iMANNING.  72/ 


1893-1894. 


Beaver  park  appraisers  report,  Aug.  16. 

Beaver  park  awards   ($336,051.50)   eoufirnied,  Aug.  29. 

Pruyn  (Robert  11.)  ^Memorial  telescope  first  used  at  new  Dudley 
Observatory,  Aug.  31. 

Gov.  R.  P.  Flower  and  start  leave  for  Chicago  to  attend  New  York 
Day  at  Columbian  Exposition,  Sept.  2. 

King  fountain  of  ]\Ioses  Striking  the  Rock,  in  Washington  park,  J. 
-   A'lassey  Rhind  the  sculptor,  the  gift  of  Henry  L.  King,  dedi- 
cated with  most  imposing  ceremonial,  Gen.  Horace  K.  Portet 
the  orator,  William  D.  M orange  the  poet,  city  officials  present, 
a  military  parade  and  an  orchestra  discoursing  music,     Sept.  2Q. 

Van  Rensselaer  Alanor  House  that  had  been  erected  in  I7()5  under 
the  guardianship  of  Gen.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck  for  the  young 
Patroon,  Stephen  \^an  Rensselaer,  H.,  to  the  east  of  the  Troy 
road  and  facing  directly  down  Broadway,  a  few  hundred  feet 
to  the  north  of  Patroon's  creek,  whereat  was  the  Lodge,  taken 
down,  stone  by  stone,  to  make  room  for  business  sites  and  rail- 
road tracks,  the  stones  freighted,  each  numbered,  to  W'illiams- 
town,  Mass..  where  to  be  re-erected  in  somewhat  similar  design 
as  the  fraternity  house  of  the  Sigma  Phi  Society,  under  Marcus 
T.  Reynolds  as  architect,  October. 

Schools  Nos.  24  and  6  completed. 

Dudley  Observatory,  south  of  Lake  avenue  and  north  of  New  Scot- 
land avenue,  dedicated  in  presence  of  the  National  Academy  of 
Science,  holding  national  convention  here  at  this  time  purposel}', 

Nov.  4. 

National  Academy  of  Science  convenes  in  Senate  Chamber,     Nov.  7. 

River  closes  to  navigation   (Government  Record),  Dec.  5. 

Albany  Female  Academy  on  north  side  of  Washington  avenue  (No. 
155)  formally  opened,  Dec.  11. 

Public  hearing  before  crowded  audience  in  Common  Council  cham- 
ber agitating  the  bringing  on  of  the  pumps  (which  had  been  :\ 
political  slogan  for  more  than  a  year),  ordered  fn^m  Milwaukee 
for  pumping  station  at  Ouackenbush  street,  Dec.  15. 


1894. 

Albany   Theatre    (n.   w.   corner   South   Pearl  and    Beaver  streets), 
James  J.  Dowling  in  ''  Captain  Heme  "  there,  burned,       J''^"-  6. 
Albanv  Countv  \\'heelmen  (organized  in  1886)  incorporated, 

March  17. 
River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  19. 


728  JAMES    HILTON   MANNING.  No.  58. 

1894. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  River  Humane  Society  (combining  societies  for 
care  of  maltreated  children  and  animals)  incorporated,  first  of 
its  kind  in  the  State,  Chapter  292,  Laws  1894. 

Oren  Elbridge  Wilson  chosen  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  elec- 
tion, receiving"  13,145  votes  as  the  Republican  candidate;  his  op- 
ponent, James  Rooney,  receiving  9,636  votes  as  the  Democratic 
candidate ;  blank,  10  votes ;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  22,791 ; 
Wilson's  majority  over  Rooney  being  3,509  votes  he  is  declared 
elected  mayor,  April  10. 

District  Attorney  James  W.  Eaton  institutes  proceedings  against 
Albany  Evening  Journal  for  contempt  of  court  in  the  matter  of 
reporting  the  Hughes  Doyle  case  before  Justice  Clute,  April  24. 

Methodist  bishops  of  America  hold  convention  and  are  given  recep- 
tion in  evening  at  the  State  armory,  April  26. 

Legislature  adjourns,  April  27. 

Gov.  Roswell  P.  Flower  dines  ]\Iethodist  bishops  at  Mansion, 

April  30. 
•         •         • 


(See  No.  59.) 


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No.  59. 


May  1,  1894-  — Dec.  31,  1895. 


OREN    ELBRIDGE    WILSON. 
No.  59. 

Date  of  office:     May  i,  1894-December  31,  1895. 

Date  of  election:     April  10,  1894. 

Vote:^     13.145- 

Political  party:     Republican. 

Opponent:     James  Rooney. 

Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     9,636;  blank,  10. 

Total  vote:     22,791. 

Date  of  birth:     October  10,  1844. 

Place  of  birth:     Boston,  Mass. 

Parents:     Thomas  (W.)  and  Louisa  Manson. 

Education:     New  York  public  schools  and  Columbia  University. 

Married  to:     (a)   Alartha  Emma  Brooks. 

(b)   Josephine  Julia  Fourqurean. 

Date:     (a)   New  York,  November  8,  1867. 

(b)   Providence,  R.  L,  August  21,  1901. 

Children:     (a)    (4)   Ernest  Brooks,  Carrie,  May,  Elsie. 

Residence:     No.  20  Lancaster  street. 

Occupation:     Chief  accountant  Whitney's  Dry  Goods  Company. 

Religion:     Universalist. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:  School  Commissioner,  1884.  President  Board  of  Edu- 
cation, 1886.  Conducted  a  strictly  business  administration. 
Secured  the  powerful  new  Allis  pumps  for  reservoir.  Ap- 
pointed Water  Board  favorable  to  filtration  plant.  Materially 
increased  paid  fire  department. 


I 


59.     OREN  ELBRIDGE  WILSON. 
1894-1895. 
From  a  photograph  made  from  life  by  Pirie  Alacdonald,  and  owned  in  1904 
by  The  Albany  Institute. 


Xo.  59.  OREN   ELURIDGE   WILSON.  731 


1894. 


(Continued  from  Xo.  58.) 
1894. 


Oren  Elbridge  Wilson  is  sworn  as  the  3>Iayor  of  Albany,  having 
been  chosen  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  April  10th,  wheii 
he  received  13.145  votes  as  the  Republican  candidate;  his  oppo- 
nent, James  Rooney,  receiving  9.636  votes  as  the  Democratic 
candidate;  blank,  10  votes;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  22,791  ; 
Wilson's  majority  over  Rooney  being  3,509  votes,  Alay  i. 

Charter  election,  Mayor.  Oren  Elbridge  Wilson  ;  Common  Council : 
Henry  J.  Pflantz.  I.  Edward  A.  Burning,  II.  John  F.  Dono- 
van, III.  ]\Iichael  J.  Hogan,  IV.  Timothy  J.  Sullivan,  \*. 
Charles  Tiernan,  \l.  ^Michael  J.  Brown,  MI.  James  F. 
Martin,  V'lII.  John  F.  Fitzgerald,  IX.  John  J.  O'Connor,  X. 
Benjamin  Mulderry,  XI.  Thomas  S.  Jones,  XII.  Thomas  F. 
Mason,  XIII.  George  H.  Stevens,  XIV.  James  H.  Powers, 
XV.  Michael  J.  Coleman,  XVI.  Kenneth  J.  Ferguson,  XVII. 
Joseph  Fisher,  Charles  H.  Armatage  (at-large)  ;  Charles  H. 
Armatage  (at-large),  president.     Election,  April  10;  sworn  in, 

May    I. 

International  Brotherhood  of  Bookbinders  of  America  convenes  in 
the  City  Hall,  May.  i. 

Beaver  park  work  begun.  May  i. 

Mayor  Wilson  abolishes,  with  a  view  to  economy  and  reform,  the 
positions  of  second  clerk  to  mayor,  assistant  city  clerk  and  clerk 
to  civil  service  commission.  May  4. 

Arbor  Day  celebrated,  May  4. 

Constitutional  Convention  called  to  order  by  Secretary  of  vState  John 
Palmer,  Joseph  H.  Choate  elected  president,  Alay  8. 

Board  of  Supervisors  elects  Darius  Rundell  president.  May  8. 

Rev.  Thomas  M.  A.  Burke,  of  St.  Joseph's,  nominated  bishop,  at 
Rome,  "  May  18. 

Rev.  James  H.  Ecob's  resignation  accepted  by  2nd  Presbyterian 
Church.  J\Iay  21. 

Chief  Thomas  Wiliard  orders  removal  of  all  slot  machines,    ]\Iay  26. 

Jacob  Leonard  presents  19  acres  to  city  for  Beaver  park.       May  30 

Seventeen-year  locusts  discovered  by  Entomologist  J.  A.  Lintner  in 
nvunbers  in  Rural  Cemetery,  building  strange  white  chambers  of 
soil  above  ground,  June  i. 

Woman  Suffragist  Association  introduces  measure  through  Mr. 
Moore's  resolution  to  Constitutional  Convention,  June  7. 

Rev.  Andrew  V.  Y.  Raymond,  pastor  of  Fourth  Presbyterian  Church 
since  -March  10,  1887,  becomes  president  of  Union  University, 

Tunc  8. 


^-^2  OREN    ELBRIDGE   WILSON.  No.  59. 

1894. 


Gov.  J.  S.  Hogg'  of  Texas  calls  on  Governor  Flower  (absent)  and 
speaks  by  request  to  Constitutional  Convention,  seated  beside 
President  Choate,  June  21. 

Paul  Jones,  globe-trotter,  having  started  nude  and  penniless  from 
Boston,  visits  Press  Club,  June  22. 

Judge  Herrick  rules  against  Sunday  baseball  at  Riverside  park, 

June  2Z 

Economic  Power  &  Construction  Co.  (to  use  compressed  air  as 
motor  power)  incorporated  by  Messrs.  J.  B.  and  George  H. 
Thacher,  June  25. 

Rev.  E.  A.  Watkins  exposed  in  Albany,  as  a  disturber,  by  letter  from 
Judge  S.  Woodhouse  of  Morris  Run,  Tioga,  Pa.,  June  2^. 

Rev.  Thomas  M.  A.  Burke,  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  (R.-C.)  church, 
consecrated  bishop,  July  i. 

Donnelly-McArdle  trial  in  general  sessions  in  New  York  (both  Al- 
bany parties  and  "case  celebre"),  July  2. 

Hon.  Galen  R.  Hilt  (of  Albany)  sums  up  in  defense  of  notorious 
■'Bat"  Shea  case;   (indictment  for  murder  in  Troy  election), 

July  3- 

Independence  Day  parade  witli  Joseph  Fisher  grand  marshal,  Wed- 
nesday, Julv  4. 

Knights  of  Labor  United  Brotherhood  of  Railroad  Men  strike  at 
Chicago,  led  by  Eugene  V.  Debs  (Federal  troops  ordered  to 
scene  by  President  Cleveland  because  of  interruption  of  mail), 
raises  price  of  meat  considerably  in  Albany,  July  5. 

Hebrew  Free  School  proposed,  July  9. 

Dog-shelter  provided  on  Elk  street  by  benefactors. 

Y.  W.  C.  A.  buys  No.  5  Lodge  street. 

Irish-American  League  re-organized  with  John  T.  McDonough 
president,  July  17. 

Odd  Fellows'  new  hall  (east  side  Lodge  street)  corner-stone  laid, 
oration  by  Mayor  Wilson  (Wm.  Barnet,  pres.),  July  18. 

Chu  Hing,  Chinese  laundryman  at  No.  I03}4  South  Pearl  street, 
shot  by  Chu  Nong,  laundryman  on  Washington  avenue,  dying 
instantly,  Aug.  3. 

Chamberlain  Charles  A.  Hills  dies,  Aug.  14. 

Contract  for  laying  30-inch  pipe  from  new  pumping  station,  Mont- 
gomery street  to  Prospect  Hill  reservoir,  let,  Aug.  14. 

Albany  Railway  operates  electric  express  plant  (depot,  s.  e.  corner 
State  and  Dean  streets),  Sept.   i. 

Labor  Day  parade  and  oration  at  Fair  Grounds  on  Troy  road  by 
T.  V.  Powderly  of  Knights  of  Labor,  John  C.  Seaman  grand 
marshal,  Sept.  3. 


ODD  FELLOWS'  HALL. 

The  organization  occupied  the  old  Baptist  Churcli  building 
(s.  w.  cor.  No.  Pearl  st.  and  Maiden  Lane)  until  this  building  was 
erected  at  n.  e.  cor.  Lodge  and  Howard  sts.;  corner  stone  laid 
July    l8,    1894,   with  Wm.  Barnet,  President. 


No.  59.  OREN   ELDRIDGE   WILSON.  JT^T) 

1894-1895. 

Comptroller  Roberts  and  Secretary  of  State  Palmer  coiillict  in  pay- 
ment of  veterans  in  State  employ  under  new  law,  Sept.  6. 

Senator  David  B.  Hill  nominated  for  Governor  by  Democrats  at 
Saratoga,  Sept.  26. 

Unconditional   (Rep.)   Club,  organized  some  years,  incorporated. 

Golf  introduced  into  Albany. 

Hon.  William  McKinley  speaks  before  the  City  Hall. 

Signal   Corps   assigned   quarters   in   rear  of  armory,  October. 

Horse-show  held  at  Ridgefield  (first  time),  Oct.  29. 

Historical  pageant  for  Albany  Historical  and  Art  Society  building 
fund,  at  Harmanus  Bleecker  Hall  ($4,209.73),  Dec.  19. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  24. 

Delavan  House  destroyed  by  fire,  Dec.  30. 


1895. 


Levi  Parsons  Morton  becomes  Governor,  Jan.  i. 

Legislature  convenes ;  inaugural  address  by  Gov.  Levi  Parsons  Mor- 
ton, Jan.   I. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  for  the  year ;  but  not 
elected  on  this  date  — •  Mayor,  Oren  E.  Wilson  ;  Common  Coun- 
cil: Henry  J.  Pflantz,  L  Emil  C.  Rosche,  H.  John  F. 
Donovan,  HL  Michael  J.  Hogan,  IV.  John  Wagner,  V. 
Francis  J.  Dunn,  VL  John  V.  Hennessey,  VH.  Stephen  T- 
Coffey,  VHL  Daniel  J.  Murray,  IX.  George  W.  Smith,  X. 
Thomas  Wilson,  XI.  John  E.  Corscadden,  XII.  Isaac  D.  F. 
Lansing,  XIII.  George  H.  Stevens,  XI\^.  James  H.  Powers, 
XV.  Howard  Hendrickson,  XVL  John^T.  Cook,  XVII. 
Robert  H.  Moore,  Patrick  McCann  (at-large)  ;  Howard  Hen- 
drickson  (XVI),  president.     Holding  office  on,  Jan.  i. 

Search  for  Delavan  House  fire  victims  begun,  Jan.  3. 

Electric  lighting  by  city  plant  agitated  at  public  hearing  in  City  Hall, 

Jan.  TO. 

Jacob  D.  Pohlman,  court  crier  for  many  years  (b.  Albany,  Dec.  12, 
1807),  dies,  Jan.  12. 

Delavan  House  fire  victims  numbering  seven  buried  and  two  found. 

Jan.   12. 

Governor  Morton  given  large  reception  by  Adjutant-General 
McAlpin  at.  No.  i  Elk  street,  Jan.  15. 

Albany  Society  (N.  Y.  city)  organized. 


734  OREN   ELBRIDGE  WILSON.  No.  59. 

1895. 

Albany  branch  (Mrs.  W.  W.  Crannell,  pres.)  of  Indian  Association 
decides  to  educate  Sophie  High  Dog  of  Rosebud  Agency, 

Jan.  18. 

Gen.  BaUington  Booth  (commander  of  Salvation  Army)  speaks  at 
First  Reformed  church  at  3  p.  m.,  given  reception  at  Madison 
Avenue  Dutch  Reformed  Church  and  delivers  address  at  Har- 
manus  Bleecker  Hall  in  evening,  Jan.  19. 

William  F.  Rathbone  in  Supreme  Court  makes  test  of  law  forbid- 
ding State  officials  to  use  pass  on  railway,  Jan.  19. 

Tenth  Battalion  under  orders  because  of  Brooklyn  trolley  strike, 

Jan.  22. 

Frederick  P.  Easton  made  State  superintendent  of  public  buildings 
(succeeding  Hon.  Michael  Delahanty),  Jan.  22. 

Charles  Bleecker  Staats  commissioned  captain  of  Co.  B,       Jan.  25. 

Governor  iMorton  given  reception  by  Fort  Orange  Club,  Jan.  22. 

Driver  Robert  F.  Gilmer  thrown  from  Truck  One,  at  Green  and 
Herkimer  streets,  and  killed,  Jan.  23. 

Mohawk  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  organized,  Jan.  31. 

Signal  Corps'  quarters  in  rear  of  armory  furnished  and  occupied. 

Food  exposition  at  Lark  street  rink,  Feb.  4. 

Snow  blizzard  delays  traffic  (14.2  in.),  Feb.  8. 

Executive  Mansion  robberv  of  Governor  Morton's  dinner  service, 

Feb.  8. 

Gov.  William  McKinley  of  Ohio  guest  of  Governor  Morton  a  day 
and  night  at  Executive  Mansion,  and  guest  of  Unconditional 
(Rep.)  Club  at  Kenmore  hotel  in  evening,  Feb.  12. 

Albert  Vander  Veer,  M.  D.,  appointed  member  of  Board  of  Regents, 

Feb.  13. 

New  waterworks  pump  arrives  from  Allis  &  Co.,  Milwaukee, 

Feb.   15. 

Major  James  ]\Iacfarlane  (an  owner  of  Press  Co.)  dies,       Feb.  16. 

i\llis  pump  tested,  Feb.  17. 

New  Allis  pump  in  service,  Feb.  20. 

Delavan  House  remaining  portion  to  be  fitted  up  as  hotel,       Feb.  20. 

Speedway  on  Washington  avenue  agitated,  Feb.  21. 

Gansevoort  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  organized  at  home  of  Mrs.  Abraham 
Lansing,  Feb.  22. 

Governor  Morton  signs  bill  prohibiting  floating  of  foreign  flags  on 
public  buildings,  Feb.  22. 

Bradley  ]\Iartin  jewel-box  searched  for  in  Delavan  Flouse  ruins, 

Feb.  22. 

Albany  Road  Improvement  Association  organized  (Oscar  L.  Hascy, 
pres.),  Feb.  25. 


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No.  59.  OREX    ELBRIDGE   WILSON.  735 

1895. 

Adelphi  Club  makes  test  case  of  excise  law  affecting"  clubs  (serving 
drinks  on  Sunday)  Court  of  Sessions,  March  4, 

Ratlibone  railroad  pass  test  case  before  Court  of  Appeals,  March  11. 

Speedway  bill  introduced  in  Assembly,  March  15. 

Beaver  park  funds  provided  for  by  Chap.  781,  Laws  of  1895. 

Living-picture  bill  (to  prohibit)  introduced  by  Senator  Mullin, 

March  26. 

Hon.    liugh   Reilly  appointed  presiding  judge  of   State   Board  of 
Claims,  April  i. 

Albany  Country  Club  buys  property  on  Gt.  Western  Turnpike, 

•  April  I. 

River  opened  to  navigation  (Government  record),  April  3. 

Howard  J.  Rogers  completes  publication  "  New  York  at  the  World's 
Columbian  Exposition,"  April. 

Howard  J.  Rogers  appointed  State  deputy  superintendent  of  public 
instruction,  April. 

Subscriptions  started  for  a  Speedway,  \\^ashington  avenue  (Quail 
to  ^Tanning  Boulevard),  April  10. 

Mrs.  John  A^.  L.  Pruyn  and  Bishop  Doane  head  movement  against 
woman  suffragist  agitators,  meeting  at  former's  house.  No.  13 
Flk  street,  April  11. 

Captain  John  N.  Foster  of  Insurance  Patrol  dies,  April  13. 

Charles  H.  \^an  Benthuysen  (b.  Albany,  June  i,  1842;  partner  in 
the  Charles  \'an  Benthuysen's  Sons  printing-house)  dies  at  his 
home,  19  Lafayette  st.,  April  15. 

Argus  loaned  for  one  day  by  Editor  Wm.  McMurtrie  Speer  to 
women  to  issue  edition  for  benefit  of  the  Child's  Hospital, 

April  18. 

Northern  Boulevard  viaduct  over  N.  Y.  Central  railroad  specifica- 
tions ai)proved,  April  18. 

Hugh  Hastings  appointed  State  Historian,  April  25. 

Steamboat  General  (Butterfield)  of  the  Catskill  line  purchased  by 
Newport  News,  Va..,  parties. 

Bender  Bacteriological  Laboratory  erected. 

Signal  Corps  successfully  heliographs  to  Altamont   (17  miles).     / 

Speedway,  upper  Washington  avenue,  from  Quail  street  westward, 
nearly  one  mile  to  Manning  Boulevard,  turf  surface  rolled  and 
graded,  opened  by  the  Albany  Road  Lnprovement  Association, 
Oscar  L.  Hascy  president,  expending  over  $4,000.  July  4. 

Signal  Corps  successfully  heliographs  from  Capitol  to  Prospect 
Rock,  North  mountain,  Catskills   (37  miles),  J"ly  4- 

Tenth  Battalion  participates  in  field  service  (Lt.-Col.  Wm.  E.  Fitch), 

Aug.  19-24. 


736  OREN    ELDRIDGE   WILSON.  No.  59. 


1895. 


Horse-show  of  imposing  proportions  opened  a  second  year  on  Ridge- 
field  Athletic  Club's  grounds,  Oct.  7. 

John  Boyd  Thacher  chosen  Mayor  of  Albany  a  second  time,  at  the 
Charter  election,  receiving  11,030  votes  as  the  Democratic  can- 
didate ;  his  opponent, William  J.  Walker,  receiving  6,752  votes  as 
the  Republican  candidate ;  Oren  E.  Wilson  receiving  4,314  votes 
as  the  Independent  Republican  candidate;  defective,  118  votes; 
total  number  of  votes  cast,  22,214;  Thacher's  majority  over 
Walker  being  4,278  votes  he  is  declared  elected  Mayor  of  Al- 
bany, Nov.  5. 

Albany  Railway  fly-wheel  of  its  Cooper-Corliss  engine  at  South 
Pearl  street  power-house  bursts,  by  accelerated  speed,    Nov.  12. 

Rufus  William  Peckham  appointed  an  associate  justice  of  United 
States  Supreme  Court,  December. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Dec.   10. 

Albany  .Railway  runs  cars  into  Rensselaer,  Dec.  18. 

Albany  Academy  Alumni  Association  organized,  Dec.  28. 


•         •         • 

(See  No.  56.) 


I 


No.  60. 


Jan.  1,  1896 -Dec.  31,  1899. 


No.  60. 

THOMAS   JEFFERSON   VAN   ALSTYNE. 

Date  of  office:     Jcanuary  i,  1898-December  31,  1899. 

Date  of  election:     November  2,  1897. 

Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     8,172. 

Opponent:     (a)    Selden  Erastus  Marvin. 

(b)  George  H.  Stevens. 

(c)  Robert  H.  Moore. 

(d)  George  DuBois. 
Pcliticcl  party:     (a)   Republican. 

(b)    Independent  Municipal  partv. 
(c) 
(d) 
Vctc:     (a)   6,014. 

(b)  6,012. 

(c)  1,754- 

(d)  108;  blank,  etc.,  932. 
Total  vote:     22,992. 

Date  cf  birth:     July  25,  1827. 

Place  cf  birth:     Richmondville,  N.  Y. 

Parents:     Dr.  Thomas  B.  (Van  A.)  and  Eliza  Gile. 

Education:     Moravia  Academy;  Hartwick;  Hamilton,  1848. 

Married  to:     (a)    Sarah  Clapp. 

(b)  N.  Louise  Peck. 

(c)  Laura  Louisa  Wurdemann. 
Date:     (a)   Albany,  September  3,  185 1. 

(b)  Albany,  October  25,  1876. 

(c)  Washington,  February  17,  1886. 
Children:     (a)    (2)   Thomas  Butler,  Charles  Edwin. 

(b)  None. 

(c)  (i)   William  Thomas. 
Residence:     No.  289  State  street. 
Occupation:     Lawyer. 

Religion:     Baptist.' 

Date  cf  death:     October  26,  1903. 

Place  cf  death:     No.  289  State  street. 

Place  of  burial:     Albany  Rural  Cemetery. 

Title:     Judge. 

Re:::crhs:     Entered  Mount  A'ernon  Lodge,   F.  A.   M.,   0;:tober  4, 

1C55.     Master  Mason,  November  19,  1855.     Master,  1858-61. 

Marshal,  1865.      Judge  County  Court,  1871-82.      Congress, 

1883-84.     Albany  Institute  trustee. 


6o.-  THOMAS  JEFFERSON  VAX  ALS  1  YXE. 
I 898- I 899. 
From  a  photograph  made  from  life  by  Sterry,  and  owned  in   1934  by  The 
Albany  Institute. 


No.  60.  THOMAS   JEFFERSON   VAN   ALSTYNE.  739 

1898. 

(Continued  from  No.  56.) 
1898. 


Thomas  Jefferson  Van  Alstyne  sworn  as  Mayor  of  Albany,  having 
been  chosen  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  Nov.  2,  1897,  when 
he  received  8,172  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate;  his  oppo- 
nent, Selden  Erastus  Alarvin,  receiving  6,014  votes  as  the  Re- 
publican candidate ;  George  H.  Stevens  receiving  6,012  votes  as 
the  Independent  ^Municipal  Party  candidate ;  Robert  H.  Moore 
receiving  1,754  votes;  George  Du  Bois  receiving  108  votes; 
blank,  etc.,  932  votes;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  22,992;  Van 
Alstyne's  majorit}'  over  JMarvin  being  2,158  votes,  Jan.  i. 

Charter  election.  Mayor.  Thomas  Jefferson  Van  Alstyne;  Com- 
mon Council :  John  A.  R.  Kapps,  I.  Malachi  F.  Cox,  II.  John 
Franey,  III.  Thomas  D.  Fitzgerald,  IV.  Justus  H.  Davis,  V. 
Elsworth  Carr,  VI.  Henry  F.  Tammany,  VII.  James  J. 
McKiernan,  VIII.  John  F.  Fitzgerald,  IX.  Robert  H.  ^IcCor- 
mic,  Jr.,  X.  Daniel  Casey.  XI.  John  E.  Corscadden,  XII. 
■  Fred  Ebel,  XIII.  Frank  Sisson,  XIV.  Joseph  A.  Clancv,  XV. 
William  H.  Golden,  XVI.  Charles  A.  Pritchard,  XVII.  'Frank 
Naukam,  XVIII.  John  Pauly,  XIX.  John  E.  Corscadden 
(XII),  president.       Election,  Nov.  2,  1897;  sworn  in,      Jan.  i. 

Robert  G.  Scherer  appointed  miscellaneous  court  reporter,     Jan.  i. 

Filter-plant  work  of  construction  commenced,  Jan.  4. 

Alton  B.  Parker,  of  Esopus,  N.  Y.  (in  1904  the  Democratic  candi- 
date for  President),  first  presides  as  Chief  Justice  Court  of 
Appeals,  Jan.  10. 

T.  Henry  Dumary  awarded  Albany's  largest  contract,  $300,000,  for 
work  of  constructing  the  filtration  plant  at  North  Albany, 

Jan.  15. 

Lieut.-Commander  Daniel  Delehanty,  son  of  former  Capitol  Com- 
missioner Michael  Delehanty,  appointed  governor  of  Sailors' 
Snug  Harbor,  ^an.   15. 

Bicycle  side-path  bill  for  Albany  county  introduced  by  Senator  ]\Iyer 
Nussbaum,  representing  Albany,  Jan.  21. 

Snowstorm  of  unusual  magnitude,  precipitation  13.6  inches,  blockad- 
ing traffic  on  railroads  several  days,  Feb.  i. 

John  G.  Ward  appointed  U.  S.  collector  of  internal  revenue, 

Februar}'. 

Albanians  shocked  by  the  dispatch  telling  of  the  blowing  up  of  the 
U.   S.   S.  Maine  at  night  in  Havana  harbor,   Captain   Charles 


740  THOMAS   JEFFERSON   VAN   ALSTYNE.  No.  6o. 

1898. 

Dwight  Sigsbee  (b.  at  Albany  on  Jan.  i6,  1845,  ^^'^^  ^  graduate 
of  Albany  Academy)  in  command,  Feb.  15. 

Albany  Gallery  of  Fine  Arts  (established  some  fifty  years  previous 
and  forming  a  gallery  of  oil  paintings )  absorbed  legally  by  the 
Albany  Historical  and  Art   Society,  Feb.    17. 

Albany  Historical  and  Art  Society's  building,  at  No.  176  State  street 
(opposite  the  s.  e.  corner  of  the. Capitol),  opened  for  inspection, 

Feb.  22. 

Capt.  James  Levinus  Hyatt  becomes  chief  of  police,  Feb.  24. 

Albany  Historical  and  Art  Society  building  at  No.  176  State  street 
dedicated ;  Mayor  T.  J.  Van  Alstyne,  Bishop  Doane,  Rev.  Dr. 
Walton  VV.  Battershall  and  George  Douglas  Miller,  Esq.,  ora- 
tors, March  3. 

Secretary  of  Navy  John  D.  Long  appealed  to  by  citizens  to  name 
one  of  the  two  cruisers  building  for  Brazil  after  Albany, 

March  15. 

United  States  purchases  from  Brazil  the  protected  cruiser  Almi- 
rante  Abreu  (the  Albany)  building  at  the  Elswick  Works  of 
Messrs.  Sir  W.  G.  Armstrong,  Whitworth  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  at 
Ne\vcastle-on-Tyne,  Eng.,  for  $1,205,000;  length,  354  ft.  4  in.; 
Ijcam,  43  ft.  9  in.;  mean  draft.  16  ft.  10  in.;  displacement  (nor- 
mal), 3,430  tons;  tonnage  (Suez  canal),  r,i2i  tons;  speed,  20.5 
knots;  engine,  7,400  h.  p.;  protection  deck.  i/4  i"-  at  center, 
31^  in.  on  the  slopes,  and  hull  sheathed  with  ^^2  in.  teak. 

March  16. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  16. 

Capitol  Commissioner  (State  Architect)  Isaac  G.  Perry  completes 
plans  for  creating  or  reconstructing  Capitol  park,  by  removal 
of  extensive  sheds  wherein  the  work  of  stone-cutting  had  been 
conducted  for  twenty  years,  and  advertises  for  bids,  March  21. 

Decision  by  Secretary  of  Navy  Long  to  name  the  cruiser  Almirante 
Abreu  in  honor  of  Albany,  March  21. 

Citizens  concur  with  universal  public  opinion  that  the  time  is  ripe 
to  proceed  in  warfare  against  .Spain,  and  rumored  that  McKin- 
ley  is  holding  back  through  lack  of  ammunition.  March  25. 

Albany  Fresh  Air  Guild  (conducting  Vacation  Home  at  Canaan- 
Four-Corners,  N.  Y.,  where  twenty  children  are  sent  for  fort- 
night at  a  time)  incorporated. 

Albany  Chemical  Co.  (Gustavus  Michaelis,  pres. ;  Wm.  T.  JNIayer, 
treas.),  located  Nos.  2-24  Broadway,  corner  of  Vine  street, 
doubles  the  capacity  of  the  plant  and  runs  night  and  day  pro- 
ducing a  chemical  essential  in  the  manufacture  of  gunpowder, 
testing  the  highest  in  the  country,  for  which  the  government  de- 
lays in  declaring  readiness  to  engage  in  war,  April  i. 


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No.  60.  THOMAS   JEFFERSON   VAN   ALSTYNE.  74I 

1898. 

Newspapers  issue  extras  on  receipt  of  cable  that  U.  S.  Minister  to 
Spain  Stewart  L.  Woodford  had  received  his  passports,  and  in 
danger  of  his  Hfe  is  departing  from  Madrid,  and  announcing 
thus  a  state  of  war  between  the  United  States  and  Spain, 

April  21. 

Crowds  thronged  before  the  bulletin-board  of  the  Evening  Journal 
on  State  street,  next  door  east  of  James  street,  all  day,  raise  a 
shout  when  the  intelligence  appears  that  the  first  shot  has  been 
fired,  being  in  the  capture  by  the  United  States  of  a  sailing 
vessel,  the  Bucha  Hura,  with  cargo  of  lumber  off  Florida,  by 
the  Nashville,  April  22. 

Activity  at  the  State  armory  in  recruiting,  physical  examinations 
being  conducted  day  and  night,  April  25. 

The  First  Regiment  organized  preparatory  to  entering  the  United 
States  service  in  war  against  Spain,  Companies  A,  B,  C  and  D 
of  the  loth  Battalion  becoming  Companies  A,  B,  C  and  D  of  the 
new  regiment,  April  28. 

Citizens  joyously  surprised  by  cabled  news  that  Commodore  George 
Dewey  entered  Manila  bay  aboard  the  U.  S.  S.  Cruiser  Olympia 
despite  the  fact  that  the  entrance  to  the  harbor  had  been  mined, 

May  I. 

The  four  companies  that  had  enlisted  in  the  ist  Provisional  Regi- 
ment leave  the  armory  shortly  after  9  a.  m.,  and  marching  down 
Washington  avenue  and  State  street,  northward  along  Broad- 
way between  crowds  reaching  to  the  centre  of  the  street,  take 
special  train  for  Hempstead,  Long  Island,  to  await  orders  at 
Camp  Black,  so  named  in  honor  of  the  Governor,       May  2. 

Dr.  Joseph  Albert  Lintner,  State  entomologist  and  an  officer  for 
years  of  The  Albany  Institute  (b.  Schoharie,  Feb.  8,  1822), 
dies  at  Rome,  Italy,  whither  he  had  gone  for  his  failing  health, 

'  May  5. 

Elm-tree  beetle  seriously  ravages  the  leaves,  and  wagon  with  exten- 
sion hose  employed  in  checking  it,  many  trees  throughout  the 
city  bearing  an  odd  appearance  encircled  by  bands  of  cotton. 

May  10. 

Steamboat  Onteora  built  by  T.  S.  Marvel  &  Co. ;  1,213  tons,  250  feet 
long,  35  feet  broad,  10  feet  deep,  55  x  120  in.  engine.      May  15. 

Albany  Country  Club's  house  on  Great  Western  Turnpike,  north 
side  of  road  and  about  four  miles  from  City  Hall,  entirely  re- 
constructed and  enlarged,  half-timbered  style,  ]\Iarcus  T. 
Reynolds,  architect.  May  20. 

Spanish  war  revenue  stamps  in  use  here,  but  only  limited  quantities 
to  be  had,  headquarters  at  First  National  Bank,  June  17. 


742  THOMAS   JEFFERSON    VAN    ALSTYNE.  No.  6o. 

1898. 

Dog  tax  or  license  (city  ordinance)  passed  on  20th,  approved, 

June  22. 

Albany  Hospital  corner-stone  laid  by  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons,  New 
Scotland  avenue,  June  23. 

Lieut.  Thomas  A.  Wansboro,  7th  U.  S.  Infantry,  shot  through  the 
heart  at  the  battle  of  El  Caney,  Cuba,  and  dies  heroically, 

July  I- 

George  Edward  Graham,  of  Albany,  witnesses  the  sinking  of  Ad- 
miral Cervera's  Spanish  fleet  on  leaving  Santiago  harbor,  while 
standing  on  the  bridge  of  the  Brooklyn  beside  Rear-Admiral 
W.  S.  Schley,  July  3. 

Corporal  William  Keeshan,  4th  Infantry,  killed  at  Santiago,     July. 

y\lbany  Savings  Bank  (w.  corner  State  and  Chapel  streets)  sold  to 
Albany  county  for  $100,000. 

Captain  Marvin  B.  Harriott  raises  fund  to  purchase  delicacies  for 
the  Albany  soldiers  at  Ft.  Wadsworth,  July  4. 

Henry  Martindale  Kidd  (lawyer)  goes  down  on  French  liner  La 
Bourgoyne  in  collision  with  the  Cromartyshire,  going  eastward, 
60  miles  south  of  Sable  island,  in  dense  fog,  5  a.  m.,       Julv  4- 

First  N.  Y.  \V)ls.  (Cos.  A,  B,  C,  D  and  G)  leave  Ft.  Wadsworth' for 
San  Francisco,  July  7. 

Captain  John  B.  Rodman,  located  at  Governor's  Island  (formerly 
recruiting  officer  at  Albany),  member  Fort  Orange  Club,  dies, 

July  7- 
Albany  soldiers  reach  Chicago,  July  9- 

Legislature  convenes  in  extraordinary  session  to  consider  funds  for 

Spanish  war  necessities  and  soldier  vote  provision,  July  11. 
Albany  Whist  Club  team  leads  in  ()i)ening  bout  of  national  congress, 

Boston,  July  12. 

Albany  soldiers  arrive  at  San  Francisco,  July  13. 

"Albany  Rangers"  (organized  by  Col.  J.  ]Meredith  Read)  parade, 

July  13- 
Santiago  surrender  creates  enthusiasm,  2  :30  p.  m.,  Thursday, 

July  14. 
Legislature  passes  bill  appropriating  $500,000  to  provide  State  fund 
for  military  expense  in  connection  with  war  with  Spain,  July  14. 
Albany  Rangers  learn  that  Governor  Black  will  not  accept  their  ser- 
vices ;  that  T.  Estrada  Palmer  of  the  Cuban  junta  cannot  pro- 
perly allow  them  to  go  from  the  United  States  to  join  Cuban 
forces  and  that  Secretary  of  War  Russell  A.  Alger  telegraphs 
there  is  no  authority  of  law  to  allow  mustering  into  U.  S.  army, 
and  forthwith  disband  under  Commander  J.  Meredith  Read. 

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No.  60.  THOMAS   JEFFERSON   VAX    ALSTYNE.  743 

1898. 

Legislature  adjourns  extraordinary  session,  July  16. 

Capitol  park  improved,  following  its  use  by  Capitol  stone-cutters, 

July. 

Albany  soldiers,  ist  N.  Y.  A'ols.,  leave  San  Francisco  on  transports 
Lakme  and  Charles  G.  Nelson,  for  Honolulu,  July. 

Myron  H.  Rooker  (president  of  Press  Co.)  dies,  July  I9- 

Centennial  Hall  of  St.  Mary's  Church  erected. 

Prof.  James  Hall,  State  geologist  (b.  Hingham,  Mass.,  Sept.  12, 
181 1 )  long  a  resident  on  property  used  for  Beaver  park,  dies  at 
Echo  Lake,   Bethlehem,   N.   H.,  Aug.   7. 

Capitol  front  approach  beautified  by  bronze  electroliers,  Aug.  8. 

Albany  Press  Club  occupies  quarters  on  State  opposite  Chapel  street, 

Aug.  10. 

Protocol  with  Spain  (signed  by  M.  Cambon,  French  Ambassador, 
and  William  R.  Day,  Secretary  of  State)  creates  enthusiastic 
excitement  4:23  p.  m.,  Aug.   12. 

St.  Mary's  school  (Centennial  building)  corner-stone  laid  by  Bishop 
Burke,  Aug.  14. 

L  O.  O.  F.  Grand  Lodge  convenes  in  Odd  Fellows'  hall,      Aug.  16. 

Albanians  in  bad  wreck  at  Chester,  on  B.  &  A.  road,  Aug.  19. 

War  correspondent  of  Associated  Press,  George  Edward  Graham, 
who  was  on  the  bridge  of  the  U.  S.  cruiser  Brooklyn  during  the 
destruction  of  Admiral  Cervera's  fleet  at  Santiago  on  July  3rd, 
arrives  at  Albany  and  is  welcomed  by  a  band  and  newspaper 
men,  Aug.  22 

Fly-wheel  of  T.  Henry  Dumary's  stone-crusher  plant.  Fourth  ave. 
bursts,  Aug.  22 

Rev.  E.  A.  Watkins  (reviler  during  sojourn  here  of  Roman  Catholic 
faith)  suddenly  absconds,  Aug.  25 

Capitol  electroliers  about  the  main  approach  first  lighted,      Aug.  29 

Delavan  hotel  closed  forever,  to  make  room  for  new  railroad  station 

Sept.  2 

New  York  regiments  ordered  by  W^ar  Department  to  Washington  to 
muster  out,  Sept.  5 

Troy  City  railway  motor-car  and  D.  &  H.  train  collision,  18  killed 
at  crossing  in  Cohoes,  Sept.  5 

Gen.  Franklin  Townsend  (ex-mayor)   dies,  Sept.  11 

Empire  Theatre  (No.  102  State  street)  opened  by  Maude  Adams 
in  ''The  Little  Minister,"  Sept.  12 

Pump  station  at  new  filter  plant  construction  commenced,     Sept.  19 

Mayor  names  a  committee  to  secure  fund  to  purchase  handsome 
sword  for  Lieut.-Commander  Daniel  A.  Delehanty  of  the  Suwa- 
nee,  Sept.  24. 


744  THOMAS   JEFFERSON   VAN   ALSTYNE.  No.  6o. 

1898-1899. 

Albany  Rangers  presented  with  souvenir  medals  by  their  former 
commander,  J.  Meredith  Read,  Sept.  24. 

Harmanus  Bleecker  Hall,  after  remodeling,  opened  for  inspection, 

Sept.  28. 

New  York  Central  railroad  station  work  commenced,         October. 

Knox  street  viaduct  erected. 

William  B.  Page,  head  of  Isaiah  Page  &  Son,  iron  castings  foundry 
on  east  side  of  Liberty  street  (b.  Ghent,  N.  Y.),  aged  49  years, 
dies,  Oct.  30. 

Judge  John  T.  McDonough  (Rep.)  elected  State  secretary,  and 
Curtis  N.  Douglas  (Dem.)   State  senator,  Nov.  8. 

Lieut.  Thomas  A.  Wansboro's  body  (arriving  at  Albany  Nov.  9) 
placed  in  Co.  B's  quarters  at  armory,  and  military  funeral  held 
at  St.  Mary's  Church,  burial  in  St.  Agnes'  Cemetery,      Nov.  10. 

Captain  Charles  Dwight  Sigsbee  (captain  of  U.  S.  S.  Maine)  and 
Commander  Daniel  Delahanty  (commander  of  the  Suwanee) 
given  reception  by  the  Albany  Historical  and  Art  Society, 

Nov.  13. 

Vacation  Home  at  Canaan-Four-Corners,  N.  Y.,  purchased  by  Fresh 
Air  Guild. 

Hon.  Flamilton  Harris'  wife  dies,  Dec.   11. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Dec.   11. 

Tenth  Battalion  arrives  home  from  Honolulu,  H.  L,  Dec.  21. 


1899. 


Theodore  Roosevelt  inaugurated  Governor  of  New  York,       Jan.  i. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  for.  the  year;  but  not 
elected  on  this  date  —  Mayor,  Thomas  J.  \"an  Alstyne ;  Com- 
mon Council:  John  A.  R.  Kapps,  L  Malachi  F.  Cox,  H.  John 
Franey,  HL  Thomas  D.  Fitzgerald,  IV.  Justus  F.  Davis,  V. 
Ellsworth  Carr,  VI.  Henry  F.  Tammany,  VII.  James  J. 
McKiernan,  VIII.  John  F.  Fitzgerald,  IX.  Robert  H.  McCor- 
mic,  Jr.,  X.  Daniel  Casey,  XI.  John  E.  Corscadden,  XII. 
Fred  Ebel,  XIII.  Frank  N.  Sisson,  XIV.  loseph  A.  Clancv, 
XV.  William  H.  Golden,  XVI.  Charles  A.'Pritchard,  XVII. 
Frank  Naukam,  XVIII.  John  Pauly,  XIX.  John  E.  Corscad- 
den  (XII),  president.     Holding  office  on,  Jan.   i. 

Entomological  Society  organized,  Ephraim  P.  Felt,  pres.,     January. 

The  United  States  Protected  Cruiser  Albany  launched,  being  the 
first  warship  of  the  U.  S.  Navy  when  in  the  possession  of  the 


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No.  6o.  THOMAS   JEFFERSOX    VAX    ALSTYXE.  745 

1899. 

United  States  Government  ever  launched  abroad,  and  cliris- 
tened  by  the  wife  of  Lt.  J.  C.  Cohvell,  Naval  ^Attache  to  the 
U.  S.  Embassy  in  London,  Jan.   14. 

Death  of  Gen.  Selden  Erastus  Marvin,  the  RepubHcan  nominee  for 
Mayor  Nov.  2,  1897,  while  on  a  visit  to  New  York;  born  at 
Jamestown,  N.  Y.,  on  Aug.  20,  1835  ;  Paymaster-General  and 
then,  in  1865,  Adjutant-General  under  Gov.  R.  H.  Fenton ; 
participated  two  and  a  half  years  in  the  Civil  War ;  secretary 
and  treasurer  many  years  of  the  Corning  Iron  Works  at  So. 
Troy;  president  of  Hudson  River  Telephone  Co.,  and  treas- 
urer of  27  religious  funds,  with  residence  No.  344  State  St., 

Jan.  19. 

Howard  J.  Rogers  appointed  director  Educational  and  Social 
Economy  exhibition  for  the  United  States  commission  to  the 
1900  Paris  Exposition,  January. 

Harry  Hamilton  Bender  appointed  State  superintendent  of  public 
buildings,  Feb.  i. 

William  Manning  Van  Heusen,  lawyer,  son  of  Theodore  V.  Van 
Heusen  (b.  Albany,  May  5,  1865)  dies  at  Pasadena,  Cal.,  Feb.  3. 

Simon  W.  Rosendale  appointed  commissioner  State  Board  of  Chari- 
ties, March  8. 

River  opened  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  24. 

Mrs.  Erastus  Corning  (Miss  Mary  Parker,  daughter  of  Judge  A.  J. 
Parker),  philanthropist  and  president  of  Women's  Diocesan 
League,  dies  at  No.  23  Elk  street,  Easter,  April  2. 

George  Rogers  Howell,  State  Archivist,  an  author,  and  secretary 
of  The  Albany  Listitute  (b.  Southampton,  N.  Y.,  June  15,  1833) 
dies  at  Albany,  April  5. 

Charles  H.  Turner  appointed  manager  of  N.  Y.  State  Reformatory 
for  Women,  Bedford,  April  6. 

Albany  Academy  receives  fund  of  $50,000  from  Frederick  P.  Olcott, 

April. 

Marion  Randolph  (superintendent  of  Rural  Cemetery),  dies, 

April  21. 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  appoints  James  A.  Burns  (6th)  superin- 
tendent. 

Albany  Rural  Cemetery  superintendent's  residence  (Alarcus  T. 
Reynolds,  architect)  erected. 

Albany  Savings  Bank  (s.  w.  corner  North  Pearl  street  and  ]\Iaiden 
Lane)  completed  and  first  occupied,  April  25. 

Ten  Eyck  Hotel  opened,  May  8. 

Albany  City  Hospital's  first  patient.  May  15. 

Hudson  River  Line  changed  to  Hudson  River  Day  Line. 


746  THOMAS   JEFFERSON    VAN    ALSTYNE.  No.  60. 


1899. 


Emory  Worth  Howell  (coal)  dies,  Aug.  3. 

Water  filtration  plant  on  Troy  road  in  operation,  September. 

Joseph  Smith,  author  ( b.  Charleston,  S.  C,  March  9,  1832),  dies  at 
Saratoga,  Sept.  14. 

United  Traction  Co.'s  office,  Broadway  and  Columbia  (Alarcus  T. 
Reynolds,  architect),  erected. 

James  Henry  Blessing  chosen  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter  elec- 
tion, receiving  12,364  votes  as  the  Republican  candidate;  his 
opponent,  Thomas  Jefferson  Van  x\lstyne  t^the  present  mayor), 
receiving  9,995  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  Oren  E. 
Wilson  (ex-mayor)  receiving  332  votes  as  an  independent  can- 
didate; others,  157  votes;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  22,848; 
Blessing's  majority  over  \^an  Alstyne  being  2,369  votes,  he  is 
declared  elected,  Nov.  7. 

Dr.  Charles  Edmund  Jones,  a  prominent  homeopathic  physician  and 
formerly  president  of  the  State  ITomeopathic  Society,  dies  at 
the  Albany  City  Hospital  following  an  operation  upon  him, 

Dec.   I. 

Mayor  \*an  Alstvne  appoints  a  Sheridan  Memorial  committee, 

Dec.  18. 

Steamboat  Lotta  that  had  run  for  about  twenty  years  from  Albany 
to  New  Baltimore,  sold  to  parties  at  Charleston,  S.  C. 

River  closed  to  navigation  (Government  record),  Dec.  23. 

First  Automobile  brought  to  Albany,  by  Archibald  M.  Dederick, 

Dec.  26. 

Albany  Railway  and  the  Troy  Street  Railway  consolidated,  becom- 
ing the  United  Traction  Company,  Dec.  30. 


(See  No.  61.) 


CRUISER  ALBANY  LAUNCHED. 

This  was  the  first  warship  of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  when  owned  by  this 
Government  to  be  launched  abroad.  Christened  at  Newcastle-on- 
Tyne,  Eng.,  .Tan.  14,  iSqq,  In-  wife  of  Lieut.  J.  C.  Colwell.  Arma- 
ment :  10  ti\c-inch,  R.  F.  (j  ;  10  three-pounders,  S.  A.  G.;  2  onc- 
pounders,  R.  F.  G.;  2  of  .30  Cal.  aut.  g-.,  and  i  three-inch  field  gun  ; 
protective  deck  i  %  in.  at  center,  3,'/2  in.  on  slopes  ;  hull  sheathed  ^^4 
in.  teak.      (Photograpli  by  Cuyicr  Reynolds.) 


O   00 

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No.  61. 


3am^0  ^tnv\i  IbBsutg. 


Jan.  1,  1900— Dec.  31,  190L 


No.  6i. 
JAMES   HENRY   BLESSING. 

Date  of  office:     January  i,  1900-December  31,  1901. 

Date  of  election:     November  7,  1899. 

Political  party:     Republican. 

Vote:     12,364. 

Opponent:     Thomas  J.  Van  Alstyne. 

Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     9,995;  O.  E.  Wilson,  332;  others.  157. 

Total  vote:     22,848. 

Date  of  birth:     September  14,  1837. 

Place  of  birth:     French's  Mills,  Albany  county,  N.  Y. 

Parents:     Frederick  I.  (B.)  and  Lucinda  Smith. 

Education:     Common  school. 

Married  to:     (a)   Martha  Hutson  ( d.  July  17,  1866). 
(b)    Mary  Gilson. 

Date:     (a)   Albany,  September  15,  1857. 
(b)    Pittsfield,  November  9,  1870. 

Children:     (a)    (2)  Lucinda,  ^^lartha  (Backus),  d.  Jan.  5,  1907. 
(b)   None. 

Residence:     No.  107  Eagle  street. 

Occupation:     Inventor  and  manufacturer  of  steam  traps. 

Religion:     Baptist. 

Title:     Honorable. 

Remarks:     Supervisor  (fifth  ward),  1854-55.     President  of  Board 

of  Supervisors,  1855.     Construction  department.  New  York 

Navy    Yard,    1862-64.     Under    Commodore    Porter    as    3d 

Assistant  Engineer,  March  29,  1864.     First  Mayor  under  the 

new  charter.     School  No.   12  completed,  1901,  and  erection  of 

first  public  bath. 


6i.     JAMES   HENRY   BLESSING, 
igoo-igoi. 
From  a  photograph  made  from  life  in   i8gg  hy  Tlie  Albany  Art  Union,  and 
owned  by  The  Albany  In.stitute. 


No.  6l.  JAMES  HENRY   BLESSING.  749 

1900. 

(Continued  from  No.  60.) 
1900. 


James  Henry  Blessmg  is  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  having 
been  chosen  to  succeed  Mayor  Thomas  Jefiferson  Van  Alstyne 
•  at  the  Charter  election  held  on  Nov.  7,  1899,  when  he  received 
12,364  votes  as  the  Republican  candidate ;  his  opponent,  Thomas 
J.  Van  Alstyne,  receiving  9,995  votes  as  the  Democratic  can- 
didate; Oren  E.  Wilson,  receiving  332  votes  as  the  independent 
or  business  men's  candidate;  others,  157  votes;  total  number 
of  votes  cast,  22,848;  Blessing's  majority  over  Van  Alstyne 
being  2,369  votes,  Jan.   i. 

Charter  election,  ]\Iayor,  James  Henry  Blessing ;  Common  Council : 
Joseph  Besch,  I.  John  W.  Griggs,  H.  John  Franey,  HI.  John 
J.  Howe,  IV.  Peter  H.  Reynolds,  V.  Ellsworth  Carr,  VI. 
William  H.  Hines,  VII.  Thomas  F.  Martin,  VIII.  oseph  F. 
Leddy,  IX.  Peter  Keeler,  X.  John  Andrews,  XL  James 
Maloy,  XII.  Newton  W.  Thompson,  XIII.  Frank  N.  Sisson, 
XIV.'  Edmund  A.  Walsh.  XV.  Frederick  J.  Barends.  XVI. 
Richard  Hughes,  XVII.  Frank  Naukam.  XVIII.  Mathias  E. 
Keim,  XIX.  Thomas  D.  Fitzgerald,  president.  Election,  Nov. 
7,  1899;  sworn  in,  Jan.  i. 

Opening  of  the  new  century  generally  observed  by  special  exercises 
in  many  of  the  churches,  'the  firing  of  cannon,  ringing  of  the 
chimes  of  St.  Peter's  Church  and  the  Cathedral  of  the  Immacu- 
late Conception  and  a  "  midnight  mass  "  celebrated  before  an 
immense  audience  in  the  latter  by  Bishop  Burke,  Jan.   i. 

Population  of  the  city  at  this  time  94,151 ;  of  the  county,  165.571  ; 
of  the  State,  7,268,894;  of  the  United  States,  75,568,686,  the 
latter  figure  including  91,219  persons  in  the  military  and  naval 
s-ervice  of  the  United  States  (civilian  employees,  etc.)  stationed 
abroad,  not  credited  to  any  state  or  territory,  Jan.  i. 

Savings  banks  change  rate  of  interest  from  4%  to  3^2%,  Jan.  i. 

Albany  city  real  estate  valued  at  $59,790,690;  personal  at  $9,237,194; 
rate  of  taxation  per  $1,000  fixed  at  $21.40,  Jan.  i. 

Maiden  Lane  bridge  of  the  Hudson  River  Bridge  Co.  (N.  Y.  Cen- 
tral road)  reconstruction  completed  by  Pencoyd  Bridge  Co.,  ex- 
cepting the  draw,  Jan.  3. 

Legislature  convenes  and  listens  to  the  reading  of  Gov.  Roswell  P. 
Flower's  "  ^Message,"  Jan.  3. 

Howard  P.  Foster  becomes  chief  of  police,  Jan.  6. 


750  JAMES   HENRY   BLESSING  No.  6l. 

190  0. 

Chamber  of  Commerce  organized  (Joel  W.  Burdick,  pres. ;  Wm.  B. 
Jones,  sec.j,  Jan.  g- 

Alban}-  Society  dinner  held  at  Delmonico's  in  Xew  York,  Loiiis 
Stern  elected  president,  Jan.  lo- 

Statue  of  Dr.  Edward  Austin  Sheldon,  "  Father  of  Normal  School 
System,"  executed  by  Geo.  Francis  Brines  in  bronze,  unveiled 
in  rotunda  of  Senate  stairway  of  Capitol,  Jan.  ii. 

Methodists  hold  jubilee  in  First  M.  E.  Church,  having  freed  all 
churches  of  denomination  in  Albany  of  debt,  Jan.  ii. 

Edwin  S.  Sterry,  photographer,  dies,  Jan.  14. 

Stare  Bar  Association  annual  meeting,  Justice  Brown  of  U.  S.  Su- 
preme Court  delivering  address,  "  Liberty  of  the  Press,"  in 
Assembly  chamber,  followed  by  reception  at  Fort  Orange  Club, 

Jan. 16. 

United  Traction  Co.'s  Troy  division  motor-men  and  conductors  go 
out  on  strike,  Jan.  22. 

Gorge  at  Cedar  Hill  becomes  solid  and  alarming,  Jan.  27. 

Grand  Chapter  Royal  Arch  Masons  holds  103rd  convocation  at 
Temple,  Feb.  6. 

Freshet  (greatest  in  43  years),  20  feet  above  normal  level,  causing 
great  suffering  in  southern  section  of  city,  Feb.  14. 

John  D.  Whish  appointed  secretary  of  State  Forest,  Fish  and  Game 
Commission. 

Capt.  Angus  McD.  Shoemaker,  Civil  war  hero  and  school  com- 
missioner (born  Albany,  April  9,  1844),  dies,  Feb.  27. 

Rev.  William  D.  Prall  assumes  rectorship  of  St.  Paul's  (Epis.) 
Church,  March  2. 

Y.  AI.  A.  accepts  tender  of  "  Pruyn  Library,"  .March  5. 

St.  Agnes'  Cemetery  acquires  75  acres,  estate  of  late  Wm.  Howard 
Hart,  south  of  its  property,  March  9. 

Sloan's  hotel,  famous  hostelry  on  Western  turnpike,  destroyed  by 
fire,  March  14. 

Rabbi  Isaac  Alayer  Wise,  author  (b.  Steingrub,  Bohemia,  March  28, 
1819.)     Dies  at  Cincinnati,  March  26. 

Painters  and  Decorators  Union  No.  201  institute  strike,       April  i. 

River  open  to  navigation,  (Government  record),  April  2. 

Legislature  adjourns,  April  6. 

Maj.  Frank  Rockwell  Palmer,  loth  Battalion,  city  comptroller,  (mili- 
tary funeral),  dies,  April  21. 

Thomas  D.  Coleman,  proprietor  of  brewery,  dies,  April  23. 

Albany  Trust  Co.  organized,  May  i. 

Carpenters  and  Plumbers  unions  start  building  trades  strike.  Mav  2. 


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1900. 


IMaj.  James  L.  Hyatt  elected  commander  Tenth  Battalion,     May  5. 

Last  spring  snow  of  season,  May  5. 

Steamboat  Alice  May  put  on  the  New  Baltimore  line. 

Last  killing-  frost  of  the  season.  May  11. 

y^-lbany  Listitute  unites  with  the  AlL^iany  Historical  and  Art  Society, 
electing  Judge  William  L.  Learned  its  president,  and  Cuyler 
Reynolds   its   curator,  May    14. 

Children's  playground  in  Beaver  pork  inaugurated,  May   15. 

Canal  street  changed  to  Sheridan  avenue,  ordinance  passed. 

May  21. 

John  Blackburn,  coal  dealer,  dies.  May  24. 

George  M.  Bender,  donor  of  Bender  Bacteriological  Laboratory, 
dies,  May  24. 

Because  of  the  war  with  Spain  (declared  on  Apr.  21,  1898.)  the 
U.  S.  Protected  Crusier  Albany  which  had  been  bought  from 
Brazil  for  $1,205,000  on  ]\Iarch  16,  1898.  could  not  be  placed 
in  commission  until  the  close  and  although  launched  from  the 
ship-yards  of  the  Armstrong  Co.  at  Newcastle-on-Tyne  on  Jan. 
14,  1899,  was  not  placed  in  commission  until  this  day,  when 
a  crew  from  this  country  was  put  aboard.  Her  complement 
consists  of  19  officers  and  329  men;  her  speed  20.5  knots,  by 
one  engine  of  7,400  h.p. ;  her  armament  consists  of  10  five- 
inch,  R.  F.  G. ;  10  three-pounders,  S.  A.  G. ;  2  one-pounders, 
R.  F.  G. ;  2  of  .30  Cal.  automatic  guns,  and  i  three-inch  field 
gun ;  hull  sheathed  with  teak  33^   inches  thick.  May  29. 

Albany  Railway  opens  its  new  oRice  building  at  the  northv-^est  corner 
of  Broadway  and  Columbia  sts.,  Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  architect, 

June   14. 

N.  Y.  Central  Railroad  reconstructs  viaduct  over  N.  Broadway, 

June  15. 

Joshua  Howard  King,  president  Albany  Savings  Bank,  N.  Y.  State 
National  Bank  and  Albany  Ins.  Co.,  dies,  Ridgefield,  Conn., 

July  18. 

Grape-root   worm   ravages    fruit. 

Col.  James  Hendrick,  insurance,  with  office  for  many  years  in  the 
Museum  or  Marble  Pillar  Building  at  northwest  corner  of 
Broadway  and  State  streets,  dies  at  his  country-seat,  Font 
Grove,  Slingerlands,  July  24. 

Rev.  George  P.  Wilson  dies,  Aug.   10. 

Miss  Matilda  Douw  of  Albany,  confined  during  the  critically  serious 
"'  Boxer  "  uprising  with  the  United  States  legation  at  Pekin, 
having  been  besieged  for  several  weeks  by  the  riotous  Chaiese, 
is  liberated  with  the  others,  Aug.  15. 


752  JAMES    HENRY    BLESSING.  No.  6l. 


idoo. 


Louis  Menand,  noted  horticulturist  and  author,  the  original  founder 
of  Menands,  three  miles  north  of  Albany,  (b.  Burgundy, 
France,  on  Aug.  2,  1807),  dies  at  his  home  at  Menands, 

Au.g.   15. 

Albany  Savings  Bank  elects  Wm.  Bayard  Van  Rensselaer  its  (8th) 
president  to  succeed  J.  Howard  King  who  died  on  July  i8th, 
having  been  its  president  since  1886,  Aug.  15. 

Tenth  Battalion  participates  in  field  service  under  Mai.  Horatio  P. 
Stacpole,  Aug.  18-25. 

Peter  Gantz,  with  the  7th  Heavy  Artillery  during  the  Civil  War, 
dies,  Aug.  25. 

Garrett  Vander  Veer,  a  popular  young  man,  the  son  of  Dr.  Albert 
Vander  Veer,   dies,  Aug.   27. 

Hon.  William  J.  Morgan,  State  Comptroller  and  for  about  a  score 
of  years  the  deputy  (b.  Canada,  1840)  dies  r.t  his  home.  No. 
I  Maine  ave.      (burial  at  Buffalo),  Sept.  5. 

Stephen  White  Whitney,  many  years  connected  with  the  Albany 
Gas  Light  Co.,  the  basso  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  dies  at  his 
home.  No.  487  State  St.,  aged  78  years.  Sept    11. 

Lansing  Merchant's  widow,  Isabella,  dies  at  her  home.  No  30 
Willett  St.,  Sept.   ii. 

Cantine  Tremper  for  a  great  many  years  connected  with  the  ofBce 
of  the  Albany  Railway  (b.  Kingston,  N.  Y.,  on  May  26,  1882), 
dies  at  his  home.  No.  695  Broadway,  Sept.  14. 

Rev.  Clarence  Arnold  Walworth,  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  Church  and 
author,  (b.  Plattsburg  on  May  30,  1820),  dies  at  the  s.  w.  cornei 
of  Chapel  and  Steuben  streets,  parish  house,  Sept,   19. 

Edward  Ogden,  architect  of  the  Albany  High  School,  the  N.  Y. 
State  Normal  College  on  cast  side  of  Willett  near  Madison 
ave.,  of  Hotel  Kenmore  (erected  in  1878)  and  several  other 
prominent  buildings,  (b.  Sandgate,  Eng.)  aged  ys  years,  dies 
at  his  home.  No.  252  Hamilton  street,  Sept.  21. 

New  York  State  National  Bank  elects  Vice-Pres.  Ledyard  Cogswell 
its   (6th)   president,  to  succeed  J.  Howard  King,  deceased, 

Sept.   27. 

John  D.  Parsons,  publisher  of  prominence  (Weed  &  Parsons  on 
north  side  of  Columbia,  next  n.  w.  corner  of  Broadway)  born 
at  New  Baltimore  on  April  27,  1815,  dies  at  his  home,  No.  8 
Hall  Place,  Sept.  28. 

Coal  famine  caused  by  strike  in  the  anthracite  region  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  a  consequent  doubling  of  prices,  Sept.   30. 


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No.  6l.  JAMES   HENRY   BLESSING.  753 

1900. 

Captain  Robert  Davidson,  of  the  2nd  Prerinct  police  force,  a  most 
popular  citizen  and  for  41  years  connected  v.'ith  the  Depart- 
ment, dies  of  heart  faihire  at  his  desk  of  the  2nd  PoHce  Pn:;cinct 
station  in  the  n.  w.  corner  of  the  first  floor  of  the  city  biv.lding 
on  So.  Pearl  street,  Oct.  9. 

''  Count  "  Max  Shinburn,  a  notorious  bank  robber,  sometime  resi- 
dent of  the  ]\Iaiden  Lane  jail    released  from  Chnton  prison, 

Oct.  9. 

Albany  County  Bar  Association  incorporated,  Oc!.   12. 

Racquette  Club  organized,  witli  Iniilding  on  Yates,  west  of  Lexing- 
ton ave. 

Earliest  killing  frost  of  the  season,  Oct.  20. 

Large  Republican  parade  and  address  by  Postmaster-General  Charles 
Emory  Smith,  formerly  of  Albany  editorial  work,  at  Harmanus 
Bleecker  Hall,  "  Oct.   29. 

Earliest  autumn   snow   of   the  season,  Nov.   9. 

Miss  Lina  Bartlett  Ditson,  class  poet  of  the  Albany  High  School 
and  the  author  of  three  historical  novels  (b.  Albany.  Tan.  15, 
1879)   dies  at  New  York  c:"ty,  Nov.  14. 

Albion  Ransom,  famous  as  a  manufacturer  of  sto\'es,  (b.  Albany) 
aged  yy  years,  dies  suddenly  in  New  York  city,  Nov.  15. 

John  H.  Rathbone,  son  of  Gen.  John  F.  Rathbone,  dies  at  Oxnard, 
Cal.,  Nov.   16. 

James  T.  Story,  prominent  brev\er  and  Mason,  (b.  Albany.  Feb.  19, 
1836)  dies,  Nov.  18. 

Curfew  law  advised  by  action  of  Ministerial  Association.  Nov.  19. 

Ex-Alderman  John  E.  Corscadden  becomes  superintendent  of  the 
Albany  Penitentiary,  Dec.  i. 

River  closed  to  navigation,   ('Government  record),  Dec.   10. 

Miss  Ellen  Campbell  dies,  leaving  $50,000  to  Albany  Hospital,  and 
sums  to  other  charities,  Dec.   11. 

Hon.  Hamilton  Harris,  prominent  lawyer,  attorney  for  the  N.  Y. 
Central  railroad  at  Albany,  one  of  the  original  new  Capitol 
commissioners,  (b.  Preble,  Cortland  co.,  N.  Y.,  i\Iay  i,  1820) 
dies  at  his  residence.  No.  723  Broadway,  Dec.  14. 

^Michael  Mead,  captain  of  detective  force,  dies,  December. 

N.  Y.  Central  Railroad's  new  station  formally  opened,         Dec.  17. 

Albany  Hospital  learns  of  beqaest  of  $50,000  from  ]\Iiss  Ellen 
Campbell  of  this  city,  recently  deceased,  Dec.  22. 

Rev.  Fidelis  '\l.  \'oight,  former  pastor  of  Our  Lady  of  Angels' 
Church,  (b.  Indiana,  Feb.  21,  1855)  dies  at  Trenton,  N.  J., 

Dec.  26. 


754  JAMES    HENRY    BLESSING.  No.  6l. 

1900-1901. 


First  automobile  owned  in  iliis  city  (steam  motor-power)  arrives 
for  Archibald  M.  Dederick  Dec.  2b. 

Geological  Society  of  America's  13th  convention  held  in  the  Albany 
Academy  building,  Dec   27. 

Capt.  Edgar  V.  Denison,  connected  many  years  with  the  R.  G.  Dun 
Mercantile  agency  and  a  military  enthusiast,  (b.  Brookfield, 
N.  Y.,  1850)   dies  at  his  home  on  Leonard  Place,         Dec.  30. 


1901. 


Benjamin  B.  Odell,  Jr.,  of  Newburgh,  becomes  Governor,    Jan.  i. 

Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  for  the  year;  but  not 
elected  on  this  date  —  Mayor,  James  H.  Blessing;  Common 
Council:  Joseph  Besch,  I.  John  W.  Griggs,  II.  John  Franey,  III. 
John  J.  Howe,  IV.  Peter  H.  Reynolds,  V.  Ellsworth  Carr, 
VI.    William  H.  Mines,  VII.    Thomas  F.  Alartin,  VIII.    Joseph 

F.  Leddy,  IX.  Peter  Keeler,  X.  John  Andrews,  XL  James 
Maloy,  XII.  Newton  W.  Thompson  XIII.  Frank  N.  Sisson, 
XIV.  Edmund  A.  Walsh,  XV.  Frederick  J.  Barends,  XVI. 
Richard  Hughes,  XVII.  Frank  Naukam,  XVIII.  Mathias  E. 
Keim,  XIX.  Thomas  D.  Fitzgerald,  president.  Holding  office 
on,  Jan.    i. 

Albany  &  Hudson  electric  road,  by  third  rail  system,  opened, 

January. 

Albany  Society  banquet  at  Delmonico's,  New  York,  electing  Louis 
Stern  president,  Jan.   9. 

Rev.  David  L.  Schwartz,  former  rector  ot  Grace  Episcopal  Church, 
dies  at  Lakewood,  N.  J.,  Jan.  14. 

Third  Brigade   Signal   Corps  disbands  and  Troop   B   organizes, 

Jan.    15. 

Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  Towu'^end,  attorney,  moved  since  starting 
practice  to  New  York  city,  the  son  of  the  late  Howard  Town- 
send,  M.  D.,  of  No.  15  Elk  St.,  dies  at  Hempstead,  L.  I.. 

Jan.  15. 

Chinese  Minister  to  the  United  States  Wu  Ting-fing.  LL.D.  Har- 
vard graduate,  guest  of  the  N.  Y.  State  Bar  Association,  a 
visitor  to  the  city  and  entertained  at  the  home  of  Col.  William 

G.  Rice  (n.  e.  corner  of  Washington  ave.  and  Dove  st.)  delivers 
an  address  at  Harmanus  Bleecker  Hall  in  the  evening,    Jan.  15. 

Bishop  Doane  addresses  the  N.  Y.  State  Bar  Association  on  "  Uni- 
form Divorce  Laws,"  Jan.  17. 


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1901. 


Ezra  Parnielee  Prentice,  lawyer  of  Chicago,  resident  of  Albany  until 
nearly  of  age,  marries  John  D.  Rockefeller's  daughter.  Alta,  at 
New  York,  Jan.  17. 

Joseph  C.  Yates  Paige,  chief  clerk  of  the  U.  S.  Comptroller  of 
Currency,  (b.  Albany)  aged  51  years,  dies  at  Washington, 
D.  C,  Jan.  21. 

Warren  Leland,  Jr.,  dies  in  New  York  city,  Jan.  21. 

Gansevoort  DeWandelaer  Hurlburt,  attorney  with  oftice  in  Van 
Vechten  Hall,  his  country-seat  at  Glenmont,  upon  the  eminence 
west  of  "  The  Abbey,"  son  of  Elisha  W.  Hurlburt,  (b.  Newport, 
N.  Y.,  Nov.  8,  1857)  dies,  Jan.  22. 

Queen  Victoria's  death  this  day  recognized  by  liberal  decorations  of 
mourning,  Jan.  22. 

William   Cagger  dies   in   Brooklyn,  January. 

Albany  Racquet  Club  buys  land  for  house  on  north  side  of  Yates 
St.,  west  of  Lexington  ave.,  Jan.  30, 

State   Medical  Society  banquet  at   Hotel  Ten   Eyck,  Jan.   30. 

Harry  H.  Bender  re-appointed  State  superintendent  of  public  build- 
ings, Eeb.   I. 

John  Henry  Farrell,  proprietor  of  The  Times-Union,  which  papers 
he  consolidated  in  1891,  and  previously  a  member  of  tlie  Press 
Co.,  as  a  proprietor  and  editor  issuing  the  Press  &  Knicker- 
bocker in  1877,  (b.  Kenwood,  Sept.  1,  1839)  dies  at  hi';  home, 
No.  598  Madison  ave.,  and  is  widely  mourned  as  one  of  the 
city's  energetic  men  who  have  its  interests  at  heart.       Feb.  2. 

Queen  Victoria  memorial  service  conducted  in  All  .Saints'  Cathedral 
by  Bishop  Doane  and  De^n  Wilford  L.  Robbins,  at  hour  of 
funeral,  Feb.  2. 

Mrs.  Celestia  Sigsbee,  mother  of  Admiral  Charles  Dwight  Sigsbee 
(captain  of  the  U.  S.  S.  Maine  when  blown  up  at  Havana,  Feb. 
15,  1898),  who  was  born  to  her  at  No.  20  Spring  St.,  this  city, 
(Jan.  16,  1845),  dies  at  Otogo,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  4. 

John  Marshall  centennial  cerem.onies  in  Assembly  Chamber  by  the 
N.  Y.  State  Bar  Association,  Hon.  John  F.  Dillon,  of  New 
York,   orator,  Feb.   4. 

Robert  C.  Pruyn,  President  of  the  National  Comn.ercial  Bank  and 
of  the  Albany  Railway,  chosen  Regent  at  joint  session  of 
Legislature,  Feb.  13. 

Ex-Gov.  Alonzo  B.  Cornell  visits  Governor  Odell  at  the  executive 
chamber,  the  last  time  before  his  death,  Feb.  14. 

Ten  Broeck  B.  Mayell,  rubber  goods,  dies.  Feb.  19. 

Governor  Odell  gives  the  annual  public  evening  reception,     Feb.  18. 


756  JAMES    HENRY    BLESSING.  No.  61. 

1901. 

Bath  annexation  (to  Rensselaer)  bill  passed  by  Senate,        Feb.  19. 

Livingston  avenue  railroad  bridge  of  the  N.  Y.  Central  road  offered 
for  sale  at  $40,000  to  prospective  organizers  of  a  traffic  bridge, 

Feb.  20. 

■■  White  Rats"  (theatrical  vaudeville  union)  strike  spreads  to  Al- 
bany and  creates  trouble  in  the  city,  Feb.  22. 

Mark  Twain  (Samuel  L.  Clemens)  speaks  for  the  Society  of  Osteo- 
paths in  the  Assembly  Chamber,  crowding  the  immense  room, 
on  "  Should  Osteopaths  Practice  without  Passing  State  Medical 
Examination  ?  "  Feb.  27. 

Sections  of  History  and  Literature  organized  by  The  Albany  In- 
stitute and  Historical  and  Art  Society,  reviving  Vk^orking  de- 
partments of  the  old  Institute,  lectures  and  collections,    Feb.  27. 

Maude  Gonne,  Irish  agitator,  speaks  at  the  Empire  theatre,    Feb.  28. 

Three  Syrians  asphyxiated  by  gas  on  Grand  street,  IMarch  2. 

Benjamin  Gillespy  Myers,  brother  of  John  G.  Myeis  (b.  Saugerties, 
1829),  dies  at  his  home  on  Clinton  ave.,  March  5. 

Bath  annexation  (to  Rensselaer)  bill  passed  by  Assembly,    March  6. 

Citizens  shocked  by  the  news  posted  on  bulletin  board?  announcing 
the  death  of  ex-President  Benjamin  Harrison,  arbitrator  of  the 
Venezuela-Great  Britain  dispute,  at  his  Indianapolis  home  of 
affection  of  the  lungs,  Alarch   13. 

Solomon  Strasser,  wholesale  tobacco  at  n.  w.  corner  of  Green  and 
Beaver  streets  (site  of  the  tavern  at  which  George  Washington 
was  banquetted),  dies,  March  17. 

Gen.  John  Finlay  Rathbone.  head  of  the  mammoth  stove  manufac- 
turing plant  here,  Detroit  and  Chicago,  president  of  the  Albany 
Academy  board  of  trustees  many  years,  president  of  the  Al- 
Dany  Orphan  Asylum,  president  of  the  Albany  Rural  Cemetery 
ana  president  of  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Co.,  a  cUy  benetactor 
and  philanthropist  (b.  Albany,  Oct.  9,  1819),  dies  at  his  hand- 
some residence,  No.  119  Washington  avenue,  March  20. 

University  Club  organized  in  the  Albany  Academy,  planning  to  oc- 
cupy the  Matthew  Hale  residence,  No.  99  Washington  avenue 
(north  side,  second  door  west  of  Swan  street)  electing  Russell 
M.  Johnston  its  first  president,  March  21. 

River  open  before  southern  pari  of  the  city,  Alarch  21. 

Rev.  Clarence  Arnold  Walworth  memorial  service  (^ate  pastor  of 
St.  Mary's)  at  Odd  Fellows'  Hall  on  Lodge  -treet,  Bishop 
Doane  the  speaker,  March  21. 

Pruyn  library  transferred  to  the  Young  Men's  Association  manage- 
ment, by  deed,  March  25. 


PRUYN  LIBRARY. 
The  John  Van  Schaick  Lansing  Pruyn  Free  Library  was  erected  by  his 
family  in  igoi,  on  the  site  of  house  in  which  he  was  born  in  1811  (s.  e.  cor. 
No  Pearl  st.  and  Clinton  ave.)  ;  accepted  by  the  Y.  M.  A.,  March  25, 
1901,  transferred  by  deed  March  28th.  and  dedicated  April  8.  1901.  (From 
photograph  by  Gustave  Lorey.) 


No.  6l.  JAMES    HENRY    BLESSING.  757 

1901. 

River  clear  of  ice  before  the  city,  March  23. 

Old  New  York  Central  station,  IMontgoniery  and  Steuben  streets, 
lowered  to  the  ground,  giving  way  foi  new  edifice.     March  25. 

Robert  Strain,  oils  (b.  Albany,  Nov.  30,  1832),  dies  at  Philadelphia, 

March  28. 

River  open  to  navigation,  City  of  Troy  coming  up,  March  29. 

Albany  &  Hudson  electric  road  runs  cars  into  Albany,       IMarch  30. 

Ex-Congressman  Martin  H.  Glynn  appointed  by  President  McKin- 
ley  a  St.  Louis  Exposition  »''ommissioner  for  the  government, 

March  30. 

Hon.  Neil  Gilmour  (b.  Paisley,  Scotland.  Jan.  8,  1840)   dies. 

March  31. 

Adirondack  of  People's  Line  leaves  New  York  on  first  -rip  of  season, 

April  I. 

Latest  spring  snow  of  the  season,  April  i. 

Governor  Odell  signs  Senator  Ellis'  bill  changing  the  color  of  the 
New  York  State  flag  from  buff  to  blue,  the  former  having 
proved  hard  to  distinguish  from  that  of  the  quarantine, 

April  3. 

Bath-on-Hudson  annexed  to  Rensselaer,  Bradford  R.  Lansing  be- 
coming the  first  mayor,  April  5. 

Marcellus  B.  Waters,  general  passenger  agent  of  People's  Line  (b. 
Duxbury,  Mass.,  1831)  dies  at  Troy,  April  5. 

Several  smallpox  cases  on  Schuyler  street  cause  alarm,         April  5. 

The  Mary  Parker  Corning  organ,  most  costly  in  the  city,  dedicated 
at  All  Saints  Cathedral,  April  6. 

Pruyn  Library  at  southeast  corner  of  North  Pearl  street  and  Clinton 
avenue,  dedicated.  Mayor  Blessing  delivering  the  oration, 

April  8. 

Hon.  Francis  H.  Woods,  former  postmaster,  surrogate,  assembly- 
man, judge  (b.  Albany,  1843),  dies  at  his  home.  No.  46  Willett 
street,  April  8. 

Rev.  Francis  N.  Stuart  (b.  Albany,  Feb.  8,  1865),  while  pastor  ot 
St.  Mary's  Church  at  Coxsackie,  dies,  iVpril  9. 

Latest  killing  frost  of  the  season,  April  13. 

Jared  FL  Armatage  dies,  April  22. 

Water  over  the  docks,  extending  to  Dean  street,  caused  by  rain, 

April  22. 

Hon.  Martin  H.  Glynn  elected  vice-president  by  the  U.  S.  Commis- 
sion of  the  St.  Louis  Exposition  of  1903,  April. 

Legislature  adjourns,  April  23. 


758  JAMES   HENRY    BLESSING.  No.  61. 


1901. 


Dana  park,  at  Madison  and  Delaware  avenue,  opened  and  dedicated 
by  an  address  by  Mayor  Blessing,  in  presence  of  the  Dana 
Natural  History  Society  (organized  m  1868),  Arbor  Day, 

May  3. 

Fruit  trees  in  bloom.  May  5. 

Strike  inaugurated  by  United  Traction  Co.  employees  on  differing 
over  a  new  schedule  presented  the  first  of  the  month.       May  7. 

No  electric  cars  in  five  cities  operated  in  by  United  Traction  Co., 
and  lines  of  carryalls  in  common  service,  May  8. 

Co.  A  of  Albany  Academy  Cadets  wins  guidon  drill  at  aimory, 

May  10. 

Albany  Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society  elects  Judge  Wm. 
L.  Learned  its  president  a  second  time,  at  annual  meeting, 

May   13. 

Tenth  Batallion  and  Third  Signal  Corps  ordered  out  by  the  Gov- 
ernor to  preserve  order  and  they  patrol  the  routes  of  the  trac- 
tion company  on  most  of  the  streets.  May  14. 

Albany  Law  School  of  Union  University  celebrates  semi-centennial, 

May   15. 

Local  troops  preserving  order  reinforced  by  the  23rd  Regiment  of 
Brooklyn,  which  camps  at  Beverwyck  park  on  Washington 
avenue  beyond  Quail  street,  a  squad  of  soldiers  riding  on  each 
car,  and  the  city  placed  under  martial  law.  May  15. 

Violent  mob  attacks  a  motor  car,  hurling  missiles  at  it,  as  it  passes 
a  few  hundred  feet  north  of  Columbia  street  on  Broadway. 
Lieutenant  Wilson  and  companions  of  the  23rd  Brooklyn  regi- 
ment fire  and  fatally  wound  E.  LeRoy  Smith,  standing  upon 
the  steps  of  his  store,  and  William  M.  Walsh,  at  4:30  p.  m., 

May  16. 

Death  of  E.  LeRoy  Smith  at  4  a.  m.,  shot  in  riot  on  previous  after- 
noon, head  of  the  wholesale  shoe  manufacturing  firm  of  Smith 
&  Herrick,  and  president  of  Albany  Whist  Club,  May  17. 

Close  of  the  Albany  Railway  strike.  May  19. 

Robert  Geer,  wholesale  salt,  with  office  on  the  pier  to  the  south  of 
State  street  basin  bridge,  treasurer  of  Home  for  Incurables 
and  a  member  of  Temple  Lodge,  dies  at  his  home.  No.  33 
Pine  avenue,  south,  May  22. 

Fatal  collision,  rounding  curve,  on  Albany  &  Hudson  electric  road, 

May  26. 

Steamer  New  York  of  Hudson  River  Day  Line  first  to  arrive. 

May  28. 


No.  6l.  JAMES    HENRY    BLESSING.  759 

1901. 

Acors  Rathbnn,  dealer  for  many  years  in  hardwood  lumbers  in  the 
Lumber  District  and  man  of  wealth  (b.  Aug.  28,  1827),  dies  at 
his  home,  No.  28  Willett  street,  May  31. 

Col.  Horatio  Potter  Stacpole,  commander  of  the  loth  Battalion, 
dies  at  his  home,  No.  240  Hudson  avenue.  Jnne  3. 

Albany  Academy  88th  commencement,  Cuyler  W.  Lush  valedicto- 
rian, June  13. 

Jeremiah  Jewell  \'an  Bramer,  prominent  veteran  fireman  (b.  Al- 
bany), aged  76  years,  dies,  June  13. 

William  H.  Johnson,  president  of  The  Argus  Co.  (b.  Syracuse, 
Jan.  20,  1834),  dies  at  his  home,  No.  121  Lancaster  street, 

June  28. 

American  Express  Co.  occupies  new  building  on  site  of  old  depot 
on  Montgomery  street,  July  8. 

Rev.  Dr.  Ezra  R.  Huntington,  pastor  of  Third  Presbyterian  Church, 
dies  at  Auburn,  July  14. 

Frederick  A.  Schifferdecker,  Jr.,  supervisor  (b.  Albany,  July  19, 
i860),  dies,  July  14. 

Commodore  Alfred  Van  Santvoord,  president  of  Hudson  River 
Day  Line,  a  former  Albanian  (b.  Utica,  1819),  dies  aboard 
his  yacht  Clermont  at  the  mouth  of  the  Hudson,  July  20. 

Body  of  Commodore  \^an  Santvoord  arrives  at  this  city  on  board 
his  yacht  and  burial  takes  place  at  the  Rural  Cemetery,  July  24. 

Hudson  River  Day  Line  elects  Eben  E.  Olcott  president,  July. 

Hon.  James  Webster  Eaton,  ex-district-attorney  (b.  Albany,  May 
14,  1856),  dies  at  his  home  on  Madison  avenue  (opposite  the 
park  lake),  Aug.  i. 

Steamer  Drew,  for  many  years  a  most  popular  night  boat  of  the 
People's  Line,  towed  to  Raritan  Bay  to  be  broken  up  for  junk, 

Aug.   14. 

Howard  J.  Rogers  appointed  chief  of  the  Department  of  Education 
for  the  St.  Louis,  1903,  Exposition,  Aug.   15. 

Samuel   Anable  dies,  prominent  citizen,  Aug.    15. 

J.  Townsend  Lansing  collection  of  paintings  brought  by  him  from 
Europe  and  valued  at  more  than  $25,000,  presented  by  him  to 
the  Albany  Listitute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society,     August. 

Clifford  A.  Hand,  lawyer,  brother  of  the  late  Samuel  H.  Hand  and 
a  prominent  member  of  the  State  Bar  Association,  dies  at  his 
home  in  Elizabethtown,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  17. 

School  No.  12,  Robin  street,  completed. 

Richard  A^arick  De  Witt,  ex-fire  commissioner  and  insurance  agent 
(b.  Albany,  1832),  dies  at  his  home.  No.  202  Lancaster  street, 

Aug.  21. 


760  JAMES    HENRY   BLESSING.  No.  61. 

1901. 

Steamboat  Ticonderoga,  popular  steamer  for  many  years  and 
familiar  to  thousands  of  Albanians,  burns  at  the  northern  end 
of  Lake  George,  Captain  White,  Aug.  29. 

Labor  Day,  showers  in  the  morning,  Sept.  2. 

Gen.  James  G.  Grindlay,  who  captured  two  Confederate  flags  at 
Five  Forks,  Va.,  while  commanding  the  Fifth  Army  Corps 
under  General  Sheridan,  and  who  was  awarded  a  medal  of 
honor  by  the  U.  S.  Government,  elected  president  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  Association,  Gettysburg,  September. 

Albanians  shocked  by  the  news  of  the  shooting  at  4:10  p.  m.  of 
President  William  McKinley,  while  in  the  Temple  of  Music 
on  the  Pan-American  Exposition  grounds  at  Buffalo.  At  4:25 
o'clock  he  is  conveyed  by  the  Exposition  ambulance  to  the 
Emergency  hospital  at  the  West  Amherst  street  gate  to  the 
grounds,  where  Dr.  Mann  performs  the  operation  of  washing 
the  intestines  and  extracting  one  bullet  from  the  right  chest ; 
at  7 130  p.  m.  he  is  conveyed  through  the  grounds,  the  exposi- 
tion having  closed  purposely  at  sundown,  to  the  home  of  John 
G.  Milburn,  president  of  the  Exposition,  Delaware  avenue, 
where  he  meets  his  wife,  and  despatches  sent  all  over  the 
country,  Sept.  6. 

President  McKinley  shows  increased  strength,  and  city  bulletin 
boards  the  scene  of  a  crowd  day  and  night  here,  Sept.  9. 

The  President  able  to  read  the  newspapers,  the  wound  having  been 
washed  with  antiseptics,  but  temperature  at  102  degrees, 

Sept.  10. 

The  New  York  Automobile  Club  on  its  tour,  having  left  New  York 
yesterday,  arrives  at  Albany,  Sept.   10. 

New  York  Automobile  Club  departs  for  Herkimer  at  8  a.  m.  from 
Empire  rink,  Sept.   11. 

George  W.  Carpenter,  one  of  the  city's  early  engineers,  and  in 
charge  of  the  waterworks  half  a  century  previous  (b.  Albany, 
May  17,  1811),  dies  at  Fisher's  Island,  Long  Island  Sound, 

Sept.  12. 

The  President's  case  becomes  grave,  being  unconscious  most  of  the 
morning,  and  through  the  afternoon  is  kept  alive  only  by  medic- 
inal means.  At  7  p.  m.  he  faintly  tells  his  sorrovv^ing  wife,  "  It's 
His  way,"  and  breathes  a  farewell,  ere  at  9  p.  m.  he  sinks  into 
an  unconscious  condition  that  continues  to  the  end,       Sept.  13. 

President  William  McKinley's  death  at  2:15  a.  m.,  at  the  home  of 
John  G.  Milburn  at  Buffalo,  announced  by  the  papers  in  the 
morning,  which  bear  dark  borders,  and  citizens  begin  draping 
their  houses  and  places  of  business,  Sept.  14. 


No.  6l.  JAMES    HENRY    BLESSING.  761 

1901. 

Nc  house  without  its  mourning  drapery  in  respect  for  President 
McKinley.  The  main  portico,  as  well  as  the  north  and  south 
entrances  to  the  Capitol  completely  concealed  by  heavy  folds 
of  black  cloth,  the  Post  Office,  Albany  Club.  County  building, 
City  Hall  and  Albany  Railway  building  sombrously  decorated 
with  elaborate  artistic  skill.  The  remains,  on  the  previous  day 
following  the  11  o'clock  private  service  at  the  Milburn  resi- 
dence, taken  to  Buffalo's  City  Hall,  where,  until  11  p.  m.  90,000 
pass  about  the  casket,  and  to-day  the  funeral  train  left  that 
city  at  8:30  a.  m.,  to  be  respectfully  greeted  along  almost  the 
entire  route  of  420  miles  to  Washington,  the  bells  tolling  in  the 
cities  as  the  train  passes  through.  It  arrives  at  Washington  at 
8:40  p.  m.,  and  the  casket  is  placed  in  the  "  East  Room  "  of  the 
White  House,  Sept.  i6. 

The  McKinley  cortege  leaves  the  White  House  in  the  morning, 
passes  along  Pennsylvania  avenue  to  the  Capitol,  where  the 
State  funeral  is  held  at  11  a.  m.  in  the  rotunda;  the  special 
funeral  train  starting  for  his  late  home  in  Canton,  Ohio,  at  8 
p.  m.,  Sept.   17. 

The  Albany  Law  School,  where  McKinley  was  a  student  and  gradu- 
ated, is  a  special  object  of  attention  and  comment.  The  cortege 
reaches  Canton  at  11  :^8  a.  m.,  the  casket  conveyed  to  the  court 
house,  and  at  night  rests  in  his  old  home,  Sept.  17. 

Services  held  in  a  great  many  Albany  churches  at  the  hour  of  the 
McKinley  funeral,  with  special  discourses  and  solemn  music, 
1 :30  p.  m.,  and  at  this  hour  practically  all  machinery  in  the  city 
ceases  to  move,  the  boats  in  the  river  and  trains  pausing  for  a 
space,  Sept.  19. 

Considerable  interest  taken  in  the  trial  of  McKinley 's  assassin  in 
Buffalo's  city  hall,  defended  by  Justices  Lewis  and  Titus  before 
Judge  Truman  C.  White,  commenced  this  day,  Sept.  23. 

Schenectady  Railway  runs  cars  into  Albany  for  first  time,  Sept.  23. 

McKinley's  assassin  found  guilty  of  murder,  Sept.  24. 

John  W.  Wallace,  city  editor  of  Press  &  Knickerbocker  (b.  x\lbany, 
Jan.  29,   1872),  dies,  Sept.  25. 

McKinley's  assassin  sentenced  to  be  electrocuted  and  is  taken  same 
day  to  Auburn,  Sept.   26. 

Democratic  city  convention  held  in  the  City  Hall,  nominating  Gen. 
Amasa  J.  Parker  for  mayor,  Sept.  27. 

Albany  Baseball  team  wins  State  League  pennant,  Wm.  Ouinlan, 
owner,  September. 

Filtration  plant  statistical  record  started,  Sept.  28 


762  JAMES    HENRY    BLESSING.  No.  61. 

1901. 

Completion  of  laying  asphalt  pavement  on  IMadison  avenue,  a 
second  time,  Sept.  29. 

Miss  Alida  G.  Radcliff,  formerly  of  No.  708  Broadway,  dies  at  her 
home  in  Rhinecliffe,  N.  Y.  (burial  in  Rural  Cemetery),  Oct.  3. 

Rev.  Jacob  Henry  Enders,  pastor  of  City  Mission,  dies  at  Fort 
Hunter,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  6. 

Republican  city  convention  nominates  ]\Iajor  Charles  H.  Gaus  for 
mayor,  Oct.  9. 

Annual  parade  of  police  and  fire  departments,  •        Oct.  9. 

Trevor  McC.  Leutze,  many  years  a  most  popular  attache  of  the 
State  engineer's  office  (head  of  a  division)  and  of  the  Camera 
Club  (b.  Duesseldorf,  Germany),  dies  at  his  home,  No.  ii  Pine 
avenue.  North,  Oct.  14. 

Stanwix  Gansevoort,  with  the  U.  S.  Navy  in  the  Mexican  War  (b. 
Albany),  aged  80  years,  dies  at  South  Glens  Falls,       Oct.  16. 

Earliest  killing  frost  of  the  season,  Oct.  20. 

Many  Albanians  attend  Yale's  bi-centennial  celebration,       Oct.  20. 

George  Edward  Graham,  having  been  on  the  bridge  of  the  U.  S.  S. 
Brooklyn  with  Admiral  Winfield  Scott  Schley  during  the  sink- 
ing of  the  Spanish  fieet  at  Santiago  on  July  3,  1898,  he  testifies 
before  the  naval  court  at  Annapolis  in  the  determination  of  the 
action  of  that  officer  at  that  time  as  being  proper  under  the  cir- 
cumstances, the  case  being  brought  about  by  the  partisans  of 
Admiral  Schley  and  Admiral  Sampson  of  the  New  York, 

Oct.  21. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  River  Humane  Society  secures  former  City 
Hospital  building  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Eagle  and  Howard 
streets. 

Completion  of  the  re-laying  of  asphalt  on  IMadison  avenue.  Oct.  23. 

Electrocution  of  Leon  F.  Czolgosz,  assassin  of  President  McKinley 
on  Sept.  6th,  conducted  at  Auburn  at  7:12  a.  m.,  and  burial  in 
quicklime  and  acids  at  2  o'clock,  Oct.  29. 

Park  settees  removed,  plank  board-walk  laid.  King  Fountain  cov- 
ered in  Washington  park,  Nov.  i. 

Earliest  autumn  snow  of  the  season,  Nov.  5. 

Major  Charles  H.  Gaus  elected  the  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the  Charter 
election,  receiving  13,027  votes  as  the  Republican  candidate; 
his  opponent,  Gen.  Amasa  J.  Parker,  receiving  10,673  votes  as 
the  Democratic  candidate;  others,  123  votes;  blank  and  void, 
463  votes;  total  number  of  votes  cast,  24,286;  Gaus'  majority 
over  Parker  being  2,354  votes,  he  is  declared  elected  Mayor  of 
Albany,  Nov.  5. 

Ice  for  15  feet  from  borders  of  Washington  Park  lake,  Nov.  15. 


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No.  6l.  JAMES   PIENRY   BLESSING.  763 

1901. 

Yale  football  team,  with  Charles  Gould  of  Albany  captain,  beats 
Princeton,  lo-o,  at  New  Haven,  Nov.  i6. 

Local  McKinley  Memorial  committee  organizes,  Nov.   26. 

First  and  unusually  early  sleighing,  Nov.  26. 

Ice  on  park  lake  and  canal  bears  a  person ;  much  snow  on  ground, 

Nov.  28. 

Steamboat  Adirondack  malces  last  trip  southward,  and  river  closes 
to  navigation  (Government  record),  Nov.  30. 

John  Giriespy  Myers,  head  of  the  large  dry  goods  firm  of  that  name, 
an  exceptionally  good  business  man,  honest  and  kindly,  a  bene- 
factor of  many  institutions  and  of  unostentatious  charity,  dies 
at  his  handsome  home  at  the  southeast  corner  of  State  and 
Swan  streets,  Dec.   i. 

Merchants'  National  Bank,  located  on  the  ground  floor  of  Tweddle 
Building  at  the  n.  w.  corner  South  Pearl  and  State  streets,  ab- 
sorbed by  National  Commercial  Bank,  Dec.  14. 


(See  No.  62.) 


No.  62. 

OUrarbB  i|cnrg  (Bma. 


Jan.  1,  1902  — Dec.  31,  1903. 
Jan.  1,  1904  — Dec.  31.  1905. 
Jan.  1,   1906  — 


No.  62. 
CHARLES    HENRY    GAUS. 

Date  of  office:     (a)   January  i,  1902-December  31,  1903. 

(b)  January    i,    1904-December  31,    1905. 

(c)  January  i,  1906- 
Date  of  election:     (a)   November  5,  1901. 

(b)  November  3,  1903. 

(c)  November  7.   1905. 
Political  party:     Republican. 

Vote:     (a)    13,027. 

(b)  14,175- 

(c)  I5>9i5- 

Opponent:     (a)  Amasa  J.  Parker. 

(b)  William  Gorham  Rice. 

(c)  William  }.  Wansboro. 
Political  party:     Democrat. 

Vote:     (a)    10,673;  others,  123;  blank  and  void,  463. 

(b)  9,612;  others,  232;  blank  and  void,  557. 

(c)  7,379;  others,  11  ;  blank  and  void,  513. 
Total  vote:     (a)   24,286. 

(b)  24,576. 

(c)  23,818. 

Date  of  birth:     September  i,  1840. 

Place  of  birth:     Zanesville,  Ohio. 

Parents:     John  H.   (G.)  and  Agnes  Boehm. 

Education:     Public  schools. 

Married  to:     Bertha  Kirchner. 

Date:    August  15,  1866. 

Children:     Edward  Leo,  Edith  Agnes   (Russell). 

Residence:     No.  185  Lark  street. 

Occnpation:     Pharmacist. 

Religion:     Episcopalian. 

Title:     Major. 

Remarks:  Appointed  Inspector  Rifle  Practice,  Third  Brigade 
(Major),  October,  1886.  Appointed  on  Governor  Black's 
staff.  Assistant  Inspector  Small  Arms  (Colonel).  Commis- 
sioned Colonel  by  brevet,  1901,  under  new  code.  School  No. 
9  completed,  1903.  School  Commissioner  and  Street  Com- 
missioner. 


62.     CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS. 
1902-1905. 
From  a  photograph  made  from  life  in  1903  by  Lloyd,  and  owned  by  The 
Albany  Institute. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  767 

1902. 

(Continued  from  No.  6i.) 
1902. 


Major  Charles  Henry  Gaus  sworn  as  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  suc- 
ceeding James  Henry  Blessing,  having  been  chosen  at  the 
-  Charter  election  held  on  Nov.  5,  1901,  when  he  received  13,027 
votes  as  the  Republican  candidate ;  his  opponent.  Gen.  Amsaa 
J.  Parker,  receiving  9,612  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate; 
others  receiving  123  votes;  blank  and  void,  463  votes;  total 
number  of  votes  cast,  24,286;  Gaus'  majority  over  Parker  being 
2,354  votes,  Jan.   i. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  Charles  H.  Gaus;  Common  Council: 
Joseph  Besch,  I.  John  W.  Griggs,  II.  John  Franey,  III. 
Thomas  F.  Nolan,  IV.  Peter  H.  Reynolds,  V.  Herbert  E. 
Bugden,  VI.  William  H.  Hines,  VII.  Thomas  F.  Martin, 
VIII.  Joseph  F.  Leddy,  IX.  Michael  McAuliffe,  X.  James 
E.  Borthwick,  XI.  James  Maloy,  XII.  George  Holler,  XIII. 
Edmund  A.  Walsh,  XV.  Frederick  J.  Barends,  XVI.  Richard 
Hughes,  XVII.  William  C.  Garland,  XVIII.  Frank  Naukam, 
XIX.  William  P.  Hoyland.  president.  Election,  Nov.  5,  1901  ; 
sworn   in,  Jan.   i. 

The  Albany  City  Bank,  doing  business  at  No.  47  State  street,  ab- 
sorbed by  the  National  Commercial  Bank,  Jan.  2. 

Thomas  W.  Stevens  appointed  harbor  master  for  port  of  Albany, 

Jan.  8. 

Edward  A.  Callahan  of  "  The  Country  Gentleman  "  stafi"  appointed 
a  member  of  the  board  of  control  of  State  Agricultural  Experi- 
ment Station  at  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  9. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  River  Humane  Society  establishes  a  branch 
in  Schenectady,  by  Act  of  Legislature. 

Dog  license  (State  Law,  Chap.  294)   passed. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  River  Humane  Society  consolidates  with  the 
Rensselaer  County  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to 
Children,  of  Troy  (chartered  April  5,  1893)  by  Act  of  Legis- 
lature. 

Howard  K.  Payn,  continuing  the  store  of  B.  Payn's  Sons'  Tobacco 
Co.,  at  s.  e.  corner  of  Maiden  Lane  and  James  streets,  dies  at 
Albany  Hospital,  Feb.  8, 

President  McKinley  memorial  exercise  held  in  the  Assembly 
Chamber,  March  4. 

Prince  Henry  of  Prussia,  younger  brother  of  Emperor  William  of 
Germany,  a  guest  of  the  city,  arriving  in  fhc  morning  is  es- 


768  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 


1902. 


corted  in  the  mayor's  carriage  along-  Broadway  from  the  depot, 
up  State  street  and  to  the  City  Hall  by  military  bodies  and  the 
city  officers  in  many  carriages,  as  well  as  the  special  reception 
committee  of  prominent  citizens,  March  7. 

Senator  McEwan's  bill  to  remove  bodies  from  St.  John's  Cemetery 
on  Delaware  avenue,  March  12. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  March  18. 

Andrew  Carnegie  offers  the  city  $150,000  for  a  library  building, 

April   13. 

Calvin  W.  Edwards  becomes  the  first  president  of  the  Board  of 
Education  upon  its  organization  as  the  successor  of  the  Board 
of  Public  Instruction,  April   17. 

Western  Union  telegraph  office  opens  at  No.  53  State  street, 

April  25. 

Albany  City  Savings  Institution's  new  building  opened  at  No.  100 
State  street,  Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  architect.  May  i. 

Francis  Bret  Harte,  noted  novelist  (b.  Albany,  on  Aug.  25,  1839), 
and  who  had  spent  much  of  his  life  in  California,  writer  of 
"  The  Luck  of  Roaring  Camp,"  and  the  poem,  "  The  Heathen 
Chinee,"  both  of  which  became  extremely  popular,  dies  at  Cam- 
berley,  Eng.,  May  5. 

The  Aurania  Club,  formed  for  social  pleasure  among  the  prominent 
men  of  Pine  Hills  section  of  the  city  who  desire  a  club-house 
in  their  vicinity,  located  on  Allen  street,  incorporated.       May  7. 

Steamboat  Ursula  put  on  the  Catskill  line.  May. 

Latest  killing  frost  of  the  season,  May  11. 

Albany  Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society  elects  Judge  William 
L.  Learned  its  president  a  third  time,  at  annual  meeting. 

May  12. 

Mrs.  Olivia  Campbell-Shafer,  soloist  at  times  at  First  Dutch  Re- 
formed and  Fourth  Presbyterian  Churches  and  Temple  Beth 
Emeth  (b.  Perth,  Can.),  dies  at  her  home,  No.  750  Broadway, 

May  17. 

Entomological  Society  becomes  a  section  of  the  Albany  Institute 
and  Historical  and  Art  Society,  May. 

Latest  spring  snow  of  the  season.  May  28. 

Mrs.  Delphine  Marie  Pumpelly  Read,  a  former  Albanian  and  widow 
of  Gen.  John  Meredith  Read,  former  U.  S.  minister  to  Greece, 
dies  at  her  home  in  Paris,  No.  128  rue  La  Boetie,  May  29. 

Harry  Hamilton  Bender  appointed  State  fiscal  supervisor,       June  9. 

Rev.  John  Hanlon,  pastor  of  St.  Vincent's  Church,  dies,       June  12. 

Dean  Sage,  wealthy  lumber  merchant  of  the  Albany  Lumber  Dis- 
trict, a  writer  of  books  on  angling,  and  possessing  the  most 
complete  collection  of  books  on  angling  in  America,  and  owner 


FREEDOM  OF  ALBANY. 
It  was  engrossed  on  parcliment  and  presented  to  Prince  Henry  in  a  silver 
tube,  at  the  City  Hall. 


MAYOR  GAUS  AND  PRINCE  HEXRY. 
When  Prince   Henry  of  Prussia,  younger  brother  of  Emperor  William  of 
Germany,  visited  Albany  on  March  7.  ic02,  Mayor  Gaus  drove  with  him  to  the 
City  Hall. 


INlO.  02.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  769 

1902. 

of  valuable  Charles  Lamb  collection  of  rare  editions,  etc.  (b. 
Albany,  1841),  his  residence  "Hillside,"  Menands,  dies  at 
his  camp  on  the  Restigouche,  Canada  June  23. 

Charles  Bridge,  prominent  citizen,  dies.  June  27. 

Robert  W.  Lockhart  appointed  superintendent  of  bureau  of  water, 

June  30. 

Smallpox  at  the  alms-house,  July- 

Seventeen-year  locusts  appear. 

Automobile  first  brought  to  this  citv  for  professional  purposes  by 
Dr.  \Mlliam  E.  Milbank,  "  July. 

John  Pennie.  manufacturer  of  barrels,  with  large  and  long-estab- 
lished cooperage  on  north  side  of  Arch  street,  a  poet  of  quaint 
and  classical  ideas,  and  an  author  (b.  Tavistock,  Eng.,  March 
24,  1824),  dies  at  his  home,  No.  149  Madison  avenue,    July  20. 

Fire  destroys  the  Lansing  factory  and  office  building  built  on  the 
site  of  old  Second  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  on  south 
side  of  Beaver,  west  of  Green  street,  at  which  Fireman  Donald 
K.  Bishop  loses  his  life,  July  25. 

George  W.  Yerks,  head  of  the  large  produce  commission  house  at 
No.  369  Broadway,  dies,  Aug.  9. 

Labor  Day,  John  C.  Donovan  grand  marshal,  Sept.  i. 

Martin  H.  Glynn  becomes  managing  editor  of  The  Times-Luiion, 

Sept.  5. 

Albany  Baseball  team  of  State  League  wins  the  pennant,  September. 

Albany  Polo   team  organized   at   Loudonville   and   Menands, 

September. 

Earliest  killing  frost  of  the  season,  Oct.  10. 

Earliest  autumn  snow  of  the  season,  Oct.  29. 

Carnegie  proposition,  offering  the  city  $150,000  for  a  public  library 
building,  receives  the  following  votes  at  the  election :  total 
number  of  votes  cast.  23,948;  in  favor  of  accepting,  7,192; 
against  accepting,  12.260;  void,  71;  marked  for  identification, 
I ;  blank,  4,425  votes,  Nov.  4. 

Howard  J.  Rogers  appointed  Director  of  Congresses  for  the  1903 
St.  Louis  Exposition,  November. 

Ezra  G.  Benedict,  retired  millionaire  lumber  merchant  and  collector 
of  paintings,  dies  at  his  home  on  Ten  Broeck  street,       Nov.  20. 

Sixteen-inch  rifle,  largest  cannon  in  the  world,  shipped  from  Water- 
vliet  Arsenal  where  it  had  been  in  the  making  for  past  three 
or  more  years,  to  Indian  Head,  Government  proving  station, 
N.  J.,  Nov.  26. 

Coal  prices  excessively  high  because  of  anthracite  coal  strike,  and 
factories  making  use  of  bituminous  largely,  dealers  selling  to 


770  CHAKLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1902-1903. 

residents  in  small  lots  only  and  the  poor  applying'  in  numbers 
for  aid  to  the  Bureau  of  Charities,  November. 

River  closed  to  navigation,  (Government  record),  Dec.  8. 

Albany  Public  Bath   (No.   i)    opened  at  No    665  Broadway, 

December. 
Robert  P.  Thorn,  many  years  proprietor  of  jewelry  store  on  south 
side  of  State  street,  east  of  Pearl  street,  dies,  Dec.  14. 

The  B.   P.  O.   Elks  No.  49,  purchases  No.  34  Beaver  street, 

December. 


1903. 


Charter  officials  holding  office  at  this  time,  for  the  year;  but  not 
elected  on  this  date  —  Mayor,  Charles  H.  Gaus  ;  Common  Coun- 
cil: Joseph  Besch,  I.  John  W.  Griggs,  II.  John  Franey,  III. 
Thomas  F.  Nolan,  IV'.  Peter  H.  Reynolds,  V.  Herbert  E. 
Bugden,  VT.  William  II.  Hines,  VII.  Thomas  F.  Martin, 
VIII.  Joseph  F.  Leddy,  IX.  Michael  McAuliffe,  X.  James 
E.  Borthwick,  XL  James  Maloy,  XII.  George  Holler,  XIII. 
Charles  E.  Shelley,  XIV.  Edmund  A.  Walsh,  XV.  Frederick 
J.  Barends,  XVI.  Richard  Hughes,  XVII.  William  C.  Car- 
land,  XVIII.  Frank  Naukam,  XIX.  William  P.  Hoyland, 
president.     Holding  office  on,  Jan.  i. 

Home  Telephone  Co.,  starts  service  in  its  new  building  at  s.  w. 
corner  of  Lodge  and  Howard  streets,  Feb.  i. 

Salvation  Army  opens  its  Industrial  Home  for  men,  February. 

Cruiser  Albany,  that  had  been  purchased  from  Brazil  at  the  com- 
mencement of  hostilities  with  Spain,  spring  of  1898,  which 
was  then  nearing  completion  at  the  shipyard  in  England,  pre- 
sented at  the  New  York  Navy  Yard  at  Brooklyn  with  an 
elaborate  and  typically  decorated  silver  service,  inclusive  of 
,  a  mammoth  punch-bowl,  the  whole  costing  $10,000,  subscribed 
by  citizens  generally;  Mayor  Gaus  making  the  presentation, 
Capt.  John  A.  Rogers  accepting,  Sec'y  Wm.  B.  Jones  repre- 
senting Chamber  of  Commerce,  Curator  Cuyler  Reynolds  rep- 
resenting Albany  Institute  and  Bishop  Burke  offering  prayer, 

Feb.  7. 

Samuel  L.  Munson,  proprietor  of  shirt  manufactory  on  Hudson 
avenue,  a  passenger  on  steamship  Maidiana,  wrecked  on  coral 
reef  at  night,  16  miles  from  shore,  being  24  miles  off  course 
because  of  inoperative  lighthouse,  Feb.  10. 


O     c     3 


.— .    ,_     U 


No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  J"]^ 


1903. 


Dr.  Willis  G.  MacDonald  appointed  a  trustee  of  the  N.  Y.  State 
Hospital  for  Treatment  of  Incipient  Pulmonary  Tuberculosis, 

Feb.   II. 

Dr.  Arthur  G.  Root  appointed  a  manager  of  N.  Y.  State  Industrial 
School  at  Rochester,  to  which  truant  school-children  from  all 
over  the  State  are  sent,  Feb.  ii. 

American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers,  Eben  E.  Olcott  (president 
of  the  Hudson  River  Day  Line)  its  president,  and  Hon.  Ver- 
plank  Colvin  of  this  city  chairman  of  entertainment  committee, 
convenes  in  annual  session  at  the  building  of  the  Albany 
Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society,  for  three  days, 

Feb.   17. 

Judge  John  T.  McDonough  (lawyer  with  office  in  Tweddle  bld'g 
and  former  secretary  of  State  for  several  terms)  appointed  by 
President  Roosevelt  associate  judge  of  ^the  'Supreme  Court 
of  the  Philippine  Islands,  Feb.  18. 

Maurice  E.  A-'iele,  proprietor  many  years  of  the  large  hardware 
store  at  Nos.  39-41  State  street  (bought  by  Albany  Hardware 
&  Iron  Co.)  an  active  participant  on  boards  of  charitable  in- 
stitutions and  the  Albany  Academy,  dies  at  his  home.  No.  6 
Elk  St.,  '  Feb.  19. 

Chauncey  E.  Argersinger  (fomierly  Huyck  &  Argersinger,  woolen 
blanket  mills  at  Kenwood  below  the  highway,  on  Normanskill 
creek)    appointed  postmaster  of  Albany,  Feb.  2.6. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Brow^n,  for  35  years  janitress  of  the  High  School 
and  living  in  basement  on  Columbia  street,  dies,  Feb.  26. 

Ralph  W.  Thacher,  grain  merchant  and  later  president  of  the 
Albany  Art  Union,  photographers  on  east  side  of  N.  Pearl 
St.,  dies,  Feb.  27. 

Ex-County  Judge  Jacob  H.  Clute  (b.  Guilderland,  March  16,  1827), 
dies,  March  6. 

Military  exposition  and  carnival  opens  at  the  Armory,  Capt.  James 
E.  Roach,  chairman,  March  11. 

William  Thom,pson  Fondey,  formerly  connected  with  the  large 
hardware  firm  of  Corning  &  Co.,  on  east  side  of  Broadway,  a 
few  doors  north  of  the  post-ofifice,  (b.  Albany,  June  30,  1854), 
dies  at  Morristown,  N.  J.,  March   12. 

Watson  DuBois,  city  assessor  and  previously  in  the  D,  &  H.  office 
as  chief  of  telegraph  department,  dies  at  Plattsburg  suddenly, 

March. 

River  open  to  navigation,  (Government  record),  March  15. 

Hon.  Bernard  Stark,  who  had  been  appointed  by  Gov.  Odell,  Jan. 
17,    1901,    State   arbitration   commissioner   in    the    department 


^^2  CHARLES    HENRY    GAUS.  No.  62. 

1903. 

of  labor,  previously  a  dry  goods  merchant  on  the  east  side  of 
No.  Pearl  street,  (b.  x\lbany,  Jan.  i,  1847)  <iies  at  Petersburg, 
Va..  March  18. 

Samuel  T.  Hull,  attorney,  dies,  April  2. 

William  AI.  Van  Antwerp,  retired  banker  and  man  of  means, 
dies  at  his  residence.  No.  162  Washington  avenue,  April  8. 

Ezra  Prentice  Treadwell,  art  designer  (b.  Albany)  aged  55  years, 
dies  at  White  Plains,  N.  Y.,  April  8. 

Miss  Mary  Anne  Henry,  daughter  of  the  late  Professor  Joseph 
Henry,  who  was  an  instructor  in  the  Albany  Academy  where 
he  demonstrated  the  principle  of  the  electric  telegraph,  and  re- 
moved later  to  Princeton,  then  to  Washington  to  become  the 
secretary  of  Smithsonian  Institution,  her  home  in  that  city, 
dies  while  touring  Europe,  at  Seville,   Spain,  April   10. 

Michael  Francis  Carey,  humorous  poet  and  writer  under  the  name 
"Rambler,"    (b.  Albany,  Feb.    18,   1866),  dies,  April   15. 

Hon.  Hugh  Reilly,  former  district-attorney  and  chief  of  the  State 
Board  of  Claims,  (b.  Albany,  March  14,  1853),  dies  at  his  home, 
■No.  81  Columbia  street,  April  16. 

Dean  Wilford  Lash  Robbins  of  All  Saints'  Cathedral  for  many 
years,  elected  dean  of  the  General  Theological  Seminary  of 
the  Episcopal  Church  in  New  York  City,  succeeding  the  late 
Dean  Hoffman,  April   17. 

Matthew  O'Neill,  styled  ".Albany's  Oldest  Newsboy,"  who  had 
earned  a  sufficient  sum  by  selling  papers  and  miscellaneous 
reading  matter  on  the  streets,  between  the  post-office  and  the 
depot,  to  support  and  educate  a  number  of  brothers  and  sisters, 
yet  remaining  himself  in  hard  circumstances,  (b.  Albany,  June 
17,  1851),  dies,  April  21. 

Frederick  Harris,  attorney  with  office  in  Tweddle  bld'g  (b.  Albany, 
June  14,  1854,  son  of  Hon.  Hamilton  Harris),  dies,  April  22. 

Henry  Moeslein,  a  popular  musician  and  pianist,  (b.  Germany), 
aged  58  years,  dies  at  the  Homeopathic  Hospital,       April  24. 

Henry  Parish  Kernochan,  president  of  the  Taylor  Brewing  Co.,  on 
Broadway,  below  the  South  Ferry,  dies  at  his  home.  No.  243 
State  street,  April  25. 

Home  for  Incurables  (new  edifice)  opened  at  Kenwood  Heights, 
below  the  city,  with  extensive  grounds  and  favorable  outlook, 

April  26. 

Latest  spring  snow  of  the  season.  May  i. 

Latest  killing  frost  of  the  season.  May  2. 

Mrs.  Lydia  Lush  Martin,  wife  of  Flenry  Townsend  Martin,  dies  at 
their  residence.  No.   152  State  street,  Mav  2. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  II  1-:XRV  GAUS.  y"] }^ 

1903. 

New  York  State  National  Bank  entirely  remodeled  within  by  re- 
moval of  the  second  story  which  had  been  devoted  to  law 
offices,  reached  by  the  western  entrance,  and  six-story  addition 
erected  at  the  rear,  extending-  in  an  L  to  James  street,  Marcus 
T.   Reynolds,  architect,  May. 

Herman  J.  Tenney,  son  of  Jonathan  Tenney,  local  liistorian,  dies  at 
New  York  City,  Alay  ii. 

•Ferdinand  Neuman.  jeweler  for  many  years,  (b.  Berlin,  Ger., 
1820),  dies  at  his  home.  No.  194  State  street,  May  11. 

Albany  Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society  elects  Judge 
William  L.  Learned  its  president  a  fourth  time,  annual  meet- 
ing, May  II. 

Edward  Callahan,  connected  with  the  Country  Gentleman  and  the 
State  Experimental  Station  at  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  dies,       May  14. 

Steamboat  New  York  of  Hudson  River  Day  Line  makes  record 
run  from  22nd  street,  New  York  city,  to  Poughkeepsie,  75 
miles  in  3  hours,  5  minutes  and  37  seconds,  at  times  25^/4 
miles  per  hour.  May. 

William  T.  Rudd,  formerly  of  the  N.  Y.  Central  road  and  father 
of  William  P.  Rudd,  former  corporation  counsel,  (b.  Cherry 
Valley,  N.  Y.,  1816),  dies  at  his  home.  No.  373  State  street, 

May  17. 

Bishop  Thomas  Alfred  Starkey,  Episcopal  bishop  of  New  Jersey 
and  the  rector  of  St.  Paul's  Church  in  this  city,  1854-58,  (b. 
Philadelphia,  1819)  dies  at  East  Orange,  N.  J,,  May  17. 

Matthew  ^^^  Bender,  donor  of  the  Bender  Bacteriological  Lab- 
oratory on  east  side  of  Lake  avenue,  former  grain  merchant, 
dies  at  his  home.  No.  195  Madison  avenue,  May  21. 

Eugene  P.  Gross,  of  the  wall-paper  firm  on  west  side  of  No.  Pearl 
street,  Chas.  M.  Skinner  &  Co.,  and  a  man  of  great  popularity, 
dies  at  his  home,  No.  16  Ten  Broeck  street.  May  21. 

Robert  James  Waddell,  president  of  investment  company,  with  office 
in  the  Tweddle   Building,    (b.   Albany,   Nov.    13,    1829),   dies, 

]\Iay  23. 

Gen.  Rufus  H.  King,  paymaster-general  on  the  staff  of  Gov.  John 
A.  Dix,  and  brother  of  the  late  J.  Howard  King,  bank  president, 
(b.  Albany,  Jan.  22,  1835),  dies  at  his  residence,  No.  2  Elk 
street.  May  26. 

Memorial  Day  parade,  Daniel  J.  O'Brien  grand  marshal.  Saturday, 

IMay  30. 

Tenth  Batallion,  under  Maj.  Clarence  Strevell,  participates  in  field 
service  near  Crescent,  N.  Y.,  with  the  3rd  Brigade,  under 
Gen.  Robert  Shaw  Oliver,  June  13-20. 


774  CHARLES  HENRV    GAUS.  No.  62. 

1903. 

Airs.  Eleanor  Spensley,  widow  of  John  R.  Spensley  and  the  philan- 
thropic founder  in  1884,  of  the  Home  for  Incurables  at  No. 
390  Madison  ave.,  (b.  in  this  State,  Oct.  22,  1848)^  dies  there, 

June  23. 

Alexander  AI.  Scott,  contracting  carpenter,  an  elder  and  influential 
member  of  Third  Presbyterian  Church,  (b.  Canobie,  Dumfries- 
shire, Scot.,  March  31,  1832),  who  came  to  America  in  1853, 
and  soon  to  this  city,  dies,  July  6. 

St.  John's  Cemetery  on  east  side  of  Delaware  avenue  abandoned 
to  provide  more  advantageous  building-  sites,  and  bodies  being 
removed,  July. 

John  T.  Johnson,  merchant  tailor  at  No.  35  Maiden  Lane,  dies, 

July   19. 

Mrs.  J.  Hampden  Robb,  a  granddaughter  of  the  late  Gen.  Stephen 
Van  Rensselaer,  the  last  to  live  at  the  Manor  House  at  the 
head  of  Broadway,  dies  at  her  home,  No.  23  Park  ave.,  New 
York  City,  July  19. 

Malachi  F.  Cox,  former  supervisor  ('1895)  and  alderman,  (1896), 
dies  at  Snyder's  Lake,  July  29. 

Nathaniel  Hyatt,  many  years  connected  with  the  State  Insurance 
Department,  (b.  Ossining,  N.  Y..  Dec,  1851),  dies,       July  30. 

Nathan  B.  Perry,  president  of  the  widely  known  Perry  Stove  Co., 
dies  suddenly  in  New  York  City,  Aug.  2. 

Charles  L.  Blakeslee,  founder  and  head  of  the  firm  of  woodwork 
specialties,  doors,  blinds,  etc.,  at  the  head  of  Broadway,  dies 
at  his  home  at  Menands,  Aug.  2. 

Miles  W.  Vosburgh,  proprietor  of  the  old  Vosburgh  Steamship 
Agency,  established  at  No.  645  Broadway  years  before  by  his 
father,  Fletcher  Vosburgh,  dies,  Aug.  2. 

School  No.  9  completed,  August. 

John  Henry  Ward,  telegraph  editor  of  The  Times-Union  and  a 
most  popular,  upright  young  man  of  the  West  End,  dies  at 
Utica,  Aug.   16. 

Capt.  Thomas  Noonan,  commander  of  local  steamboat  Lotta,  dies 
at  Manchester,  N.  H.,  Aug.  23. 

George  Norman  Cuyler,  aged  insurance  agent,  dies,  Aug.  23. 

Robert  C.  Blackall,  consulting  mechanical  superintendent  of  the  D. 
&  H.  Railroad,  dies  at  his  home.  No.  68  Philip  st.,       Aug.  31. 

Riverside  Park,  Broadway  to  the  river,  having  been  formed  with 
retaining-wall,  sodded  and  planted  with  small  trees,  is  opened, 

August. 

Albany  Trust  Co.  opens  new  building  erected  on  site  of  the  Old 
Museum  or  Marble  Pillar  Building,  lately  styled  the  Western 
Union  Building,  Alarcus  T.   Reynolds,   architect,  Sept.   5. 


ALBANY  TRUST  COMPANY. 
The  site  (n.  w.  cor.  Broadway  &  State  st.)  was  widely  knovvn 
for  a  a  the  "Museum  Bmld.ng  "  (1831),  also  as  Marble 
PUl  r  Organized  Mch.  20,  1900.  with  John  D.  P-ons.Jr.. 
prtident,  and  entered  its  building  (Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  Arch, 
tect)  on  Sept.  5,  I904- 


No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  775 

1903. 

Walter  Dickson,  architect,  (b.  Albany)  formerly  residing  at  the 
residence  at  the  acute  junction  of  State  st.  and  Washington 
ave.,  opposite  Washington  Park,  aged  65  years,  dies  at  Brook- 
lyn, Sept.  4. 

Fernwood  Lake  in  St.  Agnes'  Cemetery  the  scene  of  drowning  of 
three  little  girls,  Sept.  5. 

Labor  Day  parade,  Michael  J.   Sullivan  grand  marshal,       Sept.  7. 

Gen.  Robert  Shaw  Oliver  (of  Rathbone,  Sard  &  Co.)  appointed 
first  assistant    secretary   of   war   by    President   Roosevelt, 

September. 

Sir  Frederick  Pollock,  eminent  English  jurist,  law  reporter  and 
writer,  guest  in  America  of  American  Bar  Association,  ad- 
dresses Albany  Law  School  and  is  given  a  reception  at  Fort 
Orange  Club,  Sept.  24. 

Judson  Hoit,  father  of  Benton  S.  Hoit  (a  proprietor  of  Albany 
Business  College),  dies_,  Sept.  30. 

Consul  Booth-Tucker  of  the  Salvation  Arm}^  delivers  address  in 
Cavalry  Baptist  Church  on  State  street,  Oct.   i. 

Capt.  James  H.  Scott,  half  a  century  a  river  captain  and  proprietor 
of  "  Scott's  Float  "  for  rental  of  small  boats  at  foot  of  State 
street,  in  the  Basin,  dies  at  his  home  in  L^pper  Rensselaer, 

Oct.  2. 

Albany  Art  League  organized,  October. 

Bryan  Sheehan,  prominent  West  Albany  live-stock  dealer  of  the 
West  xA.lbany  stock-yards,  dies  suddenly,  Oct.  13. 

Stephen  Griffin  Merrill,  son  of  Dr.  Cyrus  S.  Alcrrill,  dies  at  Am- 
herst, October. 

Nicholas  J.  Hussey,  long  the  discount  clerk  of  the  National  Com- 
mercial Bank,  dies,  Oct.  19. 

William  Clemenshire,  for  50  years  with  the  Little  Sisters  of  the 
Poor  on  Central  avenue,  dies,  Oct.  19. 

Edwin  S.  Sterry,  many  years  the  leading  photographer  of  the  city, 
studio  on  west  side  of  Broadway,  midway  between  Maiden 
Lane  and  Steuben  St.,  (b.  Cornwall,  Eng.,  1822),  dies  in  New 
York  City,  Oct.  21. 

Death  of  the  wife  of  ex-Congressman  John  \1.  Bailey,       Oct.  25. 

Earliest  killing  frost  of  the  season,  Oct.  25. 

Judge  Thomas  J.  Van  Alstyne,  Albany's  60th  mayor,  judge  of 
Albany  County  Court,  1871-11882;  congressman,  1883-1884, 
a  prominent  mason,  upright  in  dealings  and  energetic  in  actions 
(b.  Richmondville,  N.  Y.,  July  25,  1827),  dies  at  his  home, 
No.  289  State  street,  Oct.  26. 

Earliest  autumn  snow  of  the  season,  Oct.  26. 


776  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1903. 


Albany  Yacht  Club  secures  quarters  on  the  river  front,  No.  io8 
Pier,  at  eastern  terminal  of  State  street  Basin  bridge,  south 
side,  having  moved  from  their  own  building  on  the  opposite 
shore,  Nov.   i. 

Mrs  Sarali  White  King,  widow  of  Gen.  Rufus  H.  King,  dies  at 
her  home,  No.  2  Elk  street,  Nov.  i. 

Charles  H.  Gaus  re-elected  the  Mayor  of  Albany  to  succeed  him- 
self, at  the  Charter  election  this  day,  receiving  14,175  votes 
as  the  Republican  candidate ;  his  opponent,  Col.  William  Gor- 
ham  Rice,  receiving  9,612  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate; 
others,  232  votes ;  blank  and  void,  557  votes ;  total  number 
of  votes  cast,  24,576;  Gaus'  majority  over  Rice  being  4,563 
votes,  he  is  declared  elected  the  Mayor  of  Albany,  Nov.  3. 

Gen.  John  Palmer  elected  secretary  of  State  a  second  time,  Nov.  7. 

Theodore  M.  Amsdell,  liead  of  the  Dobler  Brewing  Co.,  dies, 

Nov.  8. 

Ashbel  King  Shepard,  civil  engineer  of  the  first  steam  railroad 
entering  City  of  Mexico,  (b.  Albany),  dies,  Denver.       Nov.  11. 

Steamboat  Evans  of  the  Castleton  Line,  sold  to  Georgia  parties, 

November. 

Dr.  Charles  H.  Porter,  a  prominent  physician  of  standing  for  many 
years,  (b.  Columbia  Co.,  Nov.  11,  1834),  dies  at  Canandaigua, 

Nov.  21. 

Jacob  Holler,  prominent  contractor  for  years,  (b.  Unosten,  Ger., 
May  24,  1821),  dies,  Nov.  23. 

River  closed  to  navigation,   (Government  record),  Nov.  30. 

Christopher  Burlingham,  many  years  fish-dealer  at  n.  w.  cor.  Ham- 
ilton and  Philip  streets,  dies,  Dec.  4. 

Dr.  Horace  M.  Paine,  most  prominent  homeopathic  physician  of 
his  day  in  the  city,  with  office  on  site  of  St.  Peter's  Church 
rectory  on  State  street,  and  widely  known  in  the  State  as 
president  of  the  State  Homeopathic  Medical  Society,  (b.  Paris, 
N.  Y.,  1827),  dies  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Dec.  6. 

James  Burnside  Hendrick,  insurance  agent,  son  of  Col.  James  Hen- 
drick  who  conducted  an  insurance  office  in  the  Marble  Pillar 
building,  n.  w.  cor.  Broadway  and  State  st.,  for  many  years, 
dies  at  Colorado  Springs,  Dec.    12. 

John  H.  Van  Antwerp,  former  president  of  National  Savings  Bank 
and  v.-p.  N.  Y.  State  Nat'l  Bank,  (b.  Albany,  Oct.  12,  1823) 
many  years  a  resident  at  No.  2  Lodge  st.,  dies  (at  his  new 
residence.  No.  270  State  st.),  Dec.  14. 

Nelson  H.  Salisbury,  lumber  merchant  at  No.  t,  Lumber  District, 
of  the  firm  of  Hughson  &  Co.,  aged  55,  dies,  Dec.   17. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  "JT/ 

1903-1904. 

Matthew  Henry  Robertson,  connected  since  the  inauguration  of  the 
State  Insurance  Department  with  it  (43  years  until  resigning), 
first  as  chief  clerk  and  then  as  deputy,  dies  at  his  home,  No. 
445  State  St.,  Dec.  20. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  River  Humane  Society  during  year  cares  for 
10,000  cases  of  children  and  animals,  and  prosecutes  644  cases, 

Dec.  31. 
•         •         • 


1904. 

Major  Charles  H.  Gaus  assumes  the  office  of  Mayor  of  Albany  a 
second  time,  having  been  chosen  by  the  people  at  the  Charter 
election  held  on  Nov.  3,  1903,  when  his  majority  was  4,563 
votes,  Jan.  i. 

Charter  election,  Mayor,  Charles  H.  Gaus ;  Common  Council :  A\il- 
entine  Komfort,  I.  James  J.  McGraw,  H.  James  J.  O'Leary, 
HI.  Morris  Koplon,  IV.  James  J.  Gorman,  V.  Herbert  E. 
Bugden  (appointed)  superintendent  of  school  buildings  and 
succeeded  by  Alva  L.  Austin).  VI.  Joseph  B.  Stevens  (died 
and  succeeded  by  George  W.  Hart),  VII.  Thomas  F.  ]\Iartin. 
VIII.  James  j.  Welch,  Jr.,  IX.  Philip  Bender,  X.  John 
Boos,  XI.  James  J.  Tiernan,  XII.  George  Holler,  XIII. 
Charles  E.  Shelley,  XIV.  William  F.  Reilly,  XV.  Samuel  H. 
Tallmadge,  XVI.  Richard  Hughes,  XVII.  Rollin  B.  San- 
ford,  XVIII.  Isaac  La  Grange,  XIX.  William  P.  Hoyland, 
president.    Election,  N^ov.  3,  1903;  sworn  in,  Jan.  i. 

Police  department  at  this  time  consists  of  a  chief,  5  captains,  16  ser- 
geants, 121  patrolmen,  i  captain  of  veterans,  2  veteran  ser- 
geants,  II   veteran  patrolmen;  total,   157,  January. 

Crusade  started  in  vigorous  manner  against  a  few  Mormons  who 
had  settled  here  to  prosecute  evangelical  work  and  had  made 
a  somewhat  systematic  canvass  of  the  city,  holding  services  and 
meeting  with  some  success,  January. 

Capt  Cornelius  C.  Cusick,  a  valiant  fighter  during  Civil  War  and  in 
conflicts  with  the  Indians,  bearing  a  badly  battle-scarred  coun- 
tenance, the  possessor  of  many  medals  for  bravery,  and  a 
resident  here  for  a  number  of  years  after  retirement,  (b.  Lewis- 
ton,  X'.  Y.,  Aug.,  1835),  dies  at  Niagara  Falls,  Jan.  2. 

Horace  S.  Bell,  merchant  of  long  standing,  forming  partnership  in 
1866  of  Bell  &  Coffin,  dies,  Jan.  a. 

Rev.  Samuel  F.  Morrow,  D.  D.,  forty  years  pastor  of  L^nited  Pres- 
byterian Church,  this  city,  dies,  Jan.  12. 


7^8  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 


1904. 


Hon.  Charles  Emory  Smith,  a  former  Albany  editor  on  Albany 
Evening  Journal  and  ex-postmaster-general  of  the  United 
States,  speaker  at  the  annual  banquet  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, Donald  McDonald  presiding,  at  Fort  Orange   Club, 

Jan.    14. 

Rev.  Samuel  F.  Morrow,  D.  D.,  for  40  years  pastor  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  here,  dies,  funeral  held,  Jan.  16. 

Albany  Medical  College  Alumni  Association's  9th  annual  banquet 
at  Manhattan  Hotel,  New  York  City,  Jan.  21. 

Maj.-Gen.  George  H.  Tteadwell,  prominent  figure  among  local 
military  men,  late  major  of  the  7th  N.  Y.  Vol.  x\rtillery,  con- 
ducting the  fur  business  that  his  family  had  carried  on  for 
about  a  century  previous,  aged  66  years,  dies  at  his  home,  No. 
735  Broadway,  Jan.  21. 

Ned  Howard  Fowler,  for  three  years  with  the  Proctor  theatre  stock 
company  recently,  in  a  nervous  condition  shoots  himself  fatally 
at  Columbus,  Ohio  (b.  Salem,  Mass.)  and  many  friends  here 
are  shocked  by  the  news,  Jan.  22, 

Sir  Henry  Irving's  last  appearance  here  before  his  death,  Harmanus 
Bleecker  Hall,  Jan.  23. 

Adolph  Gerber,  former  treasurer  of  the  Leland  Opera  House  and 
afterwards  first  manager  of  Empire  Theatre,  dies  at  New  York 
City,  Jan.  23. 

Mrs.  John  H.  Rathbone  killed  in  an  automobile  accident  at  Cannes, 
France,  (body  brought  to  Albany  for  burial  in  the  Rural 
Cemetary),  Jan.  27. 

Mary  Young  Myers,  widow  of  the  late  John  G.  Myers,  proprietor 
of  the  large  dry  goods  store  of  that  title,  a  most  charitable 
woman,  dies  at  her  home,  No.  240  State  street.  Feb.  9. 

Rev.  Richard  H.  Nelson  of  Philadelphia  accepts  the  call  extended 
by  the  recent  Episcopal  convention  held  here,  to  be  bishop 
coadjutor  of  the  Albany  diocese  with  Bishop  Doane,       Feb.  21. 

Mohawk  &  Hudson  River  Humane  Society  allowed  by  law  to  re- 
ceive children  committed  to  its  house  of  detention  from  any 
county  within  its  jurisdiction,  also  allowing  it  to  consolidate 
with  the  Schenectady  branch. 

Rev.  Francis  D.  McGuire.  rector  of  the  Cathedral  of  the  Immacu- 
late Conception,  aged  57,  dies,  March  4. 

Erastus  Dow  Palmer,  sculptor  of  note,  born  at  Pompey,  N.  Y., 
April  2,  181 7,  his  early  life  spent  at  Dunkirk,  then  Utica,  a 
graduate  of  Union,  in  the  '40's  removing  from  Utica  to  Albany 
where  he  begins  the  carving  of  cameos,  numbering  several 
hundred,  as  recorded   in  his  carefully  kept  note-book,  during 


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No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  779 


1904. 


the  succeeding  20  years,  when  he  began  on  larger  works, 
modehng-  statuary,  with  a  studio  at  the  east  angle  of  the  north- 
ern end  of  Eagle  street,  formed  with  the  eastern  end  of  Spruce 
street,  known  as  No.  3  Columbia  place,  a  large  brick  residence, 
in  1900  the  building  of  the  Open-Door  Mission ;  his  leading 
works  in  statuary,  the  companion  medallions  in  marble,  for 
hanging  on  the  wall.  "  Morning  "  and  "  Evening,"  "  The  Infant 
Ceres,"  "  The  White  Captive,"  in  the  Aletropolitan  ]\Iuseum, 
New  York  city ;  the  statue  of  Chancellor  Robert  R.  Livingston, 
of  Clermont,  completed  in  plaster  and  ready  to  be  cast  in 
bronze  by  Barbedienne  at  Paris,  June  6,  1874,  for  the  old  Hall 
of  Representatives  in  the  Capitol  at  Washington  as  one  of  the 
two  statues  allowed  each  State  to  be  placed  therein,  a  second 
copy  of  which  was  made  also  in  bronze  for  the  Court  of  Ap- 
peals, at  the  Capitol,  Albany ;  "  The  Angel  at  the  Sepulchre," 
completed  April  29,  1868,  for  the  Rural  Cemetery  lot  of  Gen. 
Robert  Lenox  Banks,  and  he  remodeled  the  State  Arms ;  his 
most  intimate  friend  for  the  last  score  of  years  was  the  artist, 
Asa  W.  Twitchell,  living  on  the  Hurst  road  to  Slingerlands ; 
he  had  a  country  place,  with  lake,  in  the  vicinity  of  Cedar  Hill, 
and  about  1870  removed  to  his  new  residence  with  studio  at 
No.  5  Lafayette  street,  where  he  died,  March  9. 

\Mlliam  Lleadlam,  connected  early  in  life  with  his  father  in  lumber 
business,  an  active  Reptiblican  and  a  worker  in  the  labor  cause 
towards  the  end  of  his  life,  connected  with  and  organizer  of  the 
Business  Men's  Association,  aged  69,  dies,  March  15. 

Isaac  G.  Perry,  appointed  capitol  commissioner  by  Gov.  Grover 
Cleveland  in  1883,  acting  as  State  architect,  accomplishes  much 
of  the  work  of  completing  the  building  of  the  Capitol,  prin- 
cipally the  Library,  the  Western  approach  and  the  Grand  West- 
ern staircase,  in  that  portion,  and  at  the  front  the  extensive  ap- 
proach, for  two  years  removing  to  the  foundations  the  work 
started  there  by  predecessor,  (b.  Bennington,  A't.,  June,  1822) 
dies  at  Binghamton  of  heart  failure,  March  16. 

James  Lawrence,  skilled  decorator,  painter  of  coats-of-arms  and 
delicate  work,  (b.  Auchterarder,  Perthshire,  Scot.,  Aug.  27, 
1826,)  came  to  America  and  this  city  in  1871,  dies  at  his  home, 
No.  103  Eagle  st.,  ]\Iarch  24. 

Andrew  S.  Draper,  recent  president  of  the  University  of  Illinois 
and  formerly  of  this  city,  becomes  State  Superintendent  of 
Education  upon  the  reorganization  of  the  departments,  suc- 
ceeding Charles  R.  Skinner  at  the  termination  of  a  conflict  be- 
tween State  boards  extending  over  several  years,  April  i. 


;-8o  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1904. 

Barent  B.  Sanders,  commission  merchant  at  No.  343  Broadway, 
aged  82,  dies  at  his  home.  No.  143  ~\Iadison  avenue,       April  i. 

River  open  to  navigation,    (Government   record),  April  5. 

Howarcl  J.  Rogers  appointed  first  assistant  commissioner  of  State 
Department  of  Education,  April. 

Albany  City  Free  Dispensary  Association  opens  its  building  at  Ash 
Grove  and  Trinity  places,  April. 

National  Savings  Bank's  new  marl)lc  building  at  No.  72  State 
street,  the  site  of  the  Douw  H.  Fonda  drug  store  for  a  score 
of  years.  IVIarcus  T.  Reynolds  architect,  James  H.  Manning 
president,  opened,  April  19. 

Latest  spring  snow  of  the  season,  April  21. 

Latest  killing  frost  of  the  season.  April  23, 

Asa  Weston  Twitchell,  portrait  and  landscape  artist  of  repute,  born 
Swanzey,  N.  H.,  on  Jan.  i,  1820,  beginning  painting  of  por- 
traits in  1839,  coming  to  this  city  in  1843.  his  studio  over  An- 
nesley  &  Co.'s  art  store  at  No.  57  No.  Pearl  street,  and  in  the 
country  in  his  home  to  the  east  of  the  road  to  Slingerlands, 
at  Hurstville,  near  the  Normanskill  creek,  though  not  border- 
ing; painted  the  portrait  of  Judge  Rufus  W.  Peckham  (the 
elder,  who  was  lost  at  sea)  wdiich  hangs  in  the  Court  of  Ap- 
peals, a  likeness  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck,  principal  of  the 
Albany  Academy  and  hanging  in  its  chapel,  which  won  for 
him  admission  to  the  National  Academy,  a  portrait  of  Prof. 
Martin  L.  Deyo  also  in  that  building,  his  last  work,  and  fan- 
ciful pictures,  a  group  and  landscape  hanging  in  the  Albany 
Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society  gallery,  a  close  friend 
of  the  late  Erastus  Dow  Palmer,  a  man  of  singularly  beautiful 
character  and  lover  of  nature  in  its  naturalness,  dies  at  his 
country  studio  south  of  Hurstville,  after  an  illness  of  some 
months,  April  26. 

National  Commercial  Bank.  Robert  C.  Pruyn,  president,  opens  its 
new  granite  building  at  No.  60  State  street,  York  &  Sawyer, 
architects ;  its  main  banking  room  60  x  60  feet,  with  a  general 
altitude  of  45  feet,  wainscoted  with  the  choicest  marbles  most 
elaborately  matched.  May  2. 

John  DeWitt  Peltz,  attorney  of  prominence  and  an  active  Republi- 
can, a  man  highly  respected  for  his  integrity  of  character,  dies, 

May  7. 

St.  Peter's  Hospital,  s.  e.  corner  Broadway  and  No.  Ferry  street, 
being  remodeled  within  and  greatly  enlarged,  also  adding  a 
new  stone  entrance.  May  8. 


NATIONAL  COMMERCIAL  BANK. 
Charter  granted  Apr.  i.,  1825  ;  opened  Sept.  5,  i8;36  at  Nos.  38-40 
State  St.  under  Pres't  Jos.  Alexander,  with  capital  of  $300  000 ; 
increased  in  1906  to  $2,500,000  capital  and  surplus,  under  Pres  t 
Robert  C.  Pruyn,  and  its  new  building,  Nos.  58-60  State  St.,  opened 
May  2,  1904. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  IIEXRY  GAUS.  /Si 

1904. 

Albany  Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society  re-elects  Judge 
William  L.  Learned  a  fifth  time  its  president  at  annual  meet- 
ing, May  9. 

William  J.  Walker,  head  of  the  firm  of  Walker  &  Gibson,  wholesale 
druggists,  the  successors  of  Archibald  ^NlcClure  &  Co.  at  Nos. 
74-76  State  street,  ;and  a  former  Republican  candidate  for 
mayor,  thrown  from  his  horse  in  Washington  Park  in  early 
morning,  dies  immediately,  Alay  9. 

New  York  Savings  Banks  Association  (of  the  State)  elects  William 
Bayard  Van  Rensselaer  its  president.  May   12. 

Henry  Townsend  Martin,  (son  of  the  late  Henry  H.  Martin,  presi- 
dent of  the  Albany  Savings  Bank)  real  estate  investments  of 
private  nature  and  part  owner  of  the  Globe  Hotel  (with  brother 
Bradley  Martin)  aged  67  years,  dies  at  his  home.  No.  152 
State  street.  May   16. 

Dudley  Observatory  building  at  No.  Albany,  on  hill  west  of  No. 
Pearl  street,  abandoned  for  the  new  one  on  Lake  avenue, 
seriously  damaged  by  fire.  May   16. 

Rev.  Richard  Henry  Nelson,  of  Philadelphia,  consecrated  bishop 
coadjutor  of  All  Saints'  Cathedral,  assisting  Bishop  Doane, 

May    19. 

The  Emerson  Centenary,  being  celebrated  all  over  the  country, 
observed  at  the  building  of  The  Albany  Institute  and  Historical 
and  Art  Society,  there  being  souvenirs  of  his  association  and 
ownership  on  exhibition  and  speakers  Rev.  Dr.  Walton  W. 
Battershall,  Rev.  J.  Walter  Sylvester,  Prof.  Henry  P.  Warren 
and  Mrs.  Salome  Cutler  Fairchild,  vice  director  of  the  State 
Library,  May  25. 

Albert  J.  O'Neill,  former  assistant  county  clerk  and  U.  S.  deputy 
marshal,   (b.  Albany,  Oct.  31,  i860)  dies,  May  2."]. 

Steamboat  Dean  Richmond  of  the  People's  Line,  built  in  1864  by 
John  Englis,  2,525  tons,  348  feet  long,  46  feet  broad  and  9  feet 
deep,  taken  out  of  commission.  May  28. 

Steamboat  Charles  W.  Morse  put  into  commission  by  the  People's 
Line,  night  boat,  built  by  Harlan  &  Hollingworth ;  4.307  tons, 
427  feet  long,  50^^  feet  broad,  14  feet  deep,  ]\Iay  28. 

Edwin  M.  Chamberlain  rharshal  of  Memorial  Day  Parade,  May  30. 

Michael  B.  Sherman,  proprietor  for  many  years  of  shoe  store  at 
n.  e.  cor.  No.  Pearl  st.  and  Maiden  Lane,  a  founder  of  the 
Round  Lake  Camp-]\Ieeting  Association,  who  had  within 
decade  purchased  the  Leland  Opera  House  on  So.  Pearl  street 
and  Prospect  House  overlooking  the  Hudson  at  Catskill  vil- 
lage,  dies   at   Nyack,  June    2. 


782  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1904. 

Rev.  Edward  Griffin  Selden,  pastor  of  the  Madison  Avenue 
(Second)  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  and  an  author  of  religious 
works,  dies  at  his  summer  home  at  Saratoga,  June  2. 

Spiers  Falls  on  upper  Hudson  (neighborhood  of  Glens  Falls)  sends 
electric  power  to  Albany,  June  3. 

Thomas  H.  Dwyer,  many  years  city  superintendent  of  buildings, 
of  Co.  II  in  the  old  fire  department  of  1859,  and  a  volunteer 
of  43rd  N.  Y.  Vols.,  dies  at  his  home.  No.  132  Elm  St., 

June  9. 

Edwin  Dean  Worcester,  of  New  York  City,  formerly  and  for  many 
years  a  resident  of  Albany,  who  had  completed  50  years  of 
service  as  official  of  N.  Y.  Central  Railroad,  performing  with 
rare  ability  the  consolidation  of  the  small  railroad  lines  be- 
tween Albany  and  Buffalo  into  the  N.  Y.  Central  Railroad 
in  1853,  when  the}^  were  10  separate  corporations,  later  becom- 
ing secretary  of  the  Vanderbilt  system  and  a  vice-president 
of  some  of  tlie  more  important  lines,  (burial  in  the  Rural 
Cemetery)  dies,  June  13. 

Dudley  Walsh  DeWitt,  son  of  the  late  Richard  Varick  DeWitt, 
connected  with  the  Albany  Insurance  Co.,  dies,  June  20. 

Independence  Day  celebrated ;  Capt.  James  E.  Roach  grand  mar- 
shal, Maj.  Clarence  Strevell  commanding  Tenth  Battalion, 
Monday,  July  4. 

United  Traction  Co.  erects  new  car-barns  west  side  Quail  St., 

July  5- 

Perry  street,  northward  from  Western  avenue,  changed  to  Lake 
avenue  to  correspond  with  southern  part  of  same  street,  July  7. 

North  marble  approach  to  the  State  House  removed  and  the  high 
iron  fence  about  the  grounds  to  the  east  taken  down,    July  10. 

Van  Rensselaer  and  Dudley  parks  at  No.  Albany  improved, 

July  12. 

Gen.  John  P.  Masterson,  ex-surveyor  of  the  port  of  Albany,  dies, 

July    19. 

Theophilus  E.  Roessle,  who  assmned  control  of  the  Delavan  House, 
n.  e.  cor.  Broadway  and  Steuben  street,  with  his  father  in  1849 
(also  being  the  original  owner  of  Fort  William  Henry  Hotel 
at  Caldwell,  at  head  of  Lake  George),  the  proprietor  of  the 
Arlington  at  Washington  of  late,  dies  at  Paris,  Aug.  10. 

Spanish  War  Veterans  of  New  York  State  hold  first  convention  at 
Albany,  Aug.  15. 

First  Police  Precinct  new  station-house  at  Arch  and  Broad  streets, 
officially  inspected  to  determine  acceptance,  Aug.   19. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  783 

1904. 

Theophilus  E.  Roessle,  former  proprietor  of  the  Delavan  House, 
who  died  at  Paris  on  Aug.  loth,  buried  in  Rural  Cemetery, 

Aug.  26. 

Basin,  from  ]\laiden  Lane  to  Cohunbia  street,  cleared  of  the  last 
sunken  scow  in  the  work  of  improvement  to  channel,  endeavor- 
ing also  to  improve  health  conditions  of  a  place  that  had  becii 
allowed  to  deteriorate  for  years,  Aug.  30. 

Jail  on  north  side  of  Maiden  Lane,  connected  across  the  paved 
court-vard  with  an  upper  floor  of  the  City  Hall  by  a  "  Bridge 
of  Sighs  "  for  convenience  of  bringing  prisoners  into  court, 
abandoned,  and  prisoners  removed  to  Albany  County  Peniten- 
tiary to  the  west  of  Delaware  ave.,  .'^ept.   r. 

Robert  Lockhart,  superintendent  of  the  bureau  of  water,  dies, 

Sept.   2. 

Tenth   Battalion  leaves  on  a  3-day  trip  to  Boston,  Sept.   3. 

J.  Irving  Wendell,  former  cashier  of  the  ^Merchants'  National  Bank, 
dies  at  New  York  City,  Sept.  5. 

Labor  Day  parade,  James  L.  ]^.IcHale  grand  rnarshal,         Sept.   5. 

State  Fair's  64th  exhibition,  held  at  S^'racuse,  Sept.   5. 

Hiram  L.  Washburn,  real  estate  agent,  dies,  Sept.  7. 

Packing-house  strike  of  union  butchers  that  was  begun  in  the  west 
July  I2th,  seriously  affects  price  of  meats  during  liie  period, 
terminates,  vSept.  0. 

National  Humane  Alliance  presents  animal  drinking  fount;; in  t.. 
the  city,  which  is  erected  in  Townsend  park,  Sept.  10 

]\Iichael  Leonard  jMorgan,  manager  of  the  Western  Union  telegraph 
office  at  n.  w.  cor.  State  and  Broadway,  dies,  Sept.  16. 

Hon.  Zeb.  A.  Dyer,  district-attorney  (b.  Berne,  Albany  Co.,  Dec.  i, 
i860)  dies  of  typhoid  fever  at  his  home  in  Delmar,       Sept.  18. 

German  Day  first  celebrated  at  Albany,  commemorating  tlie  coming 
of  Germans  to  America  (Oct.  6,  1683)  Mayor  Gaus  chairman 
of  general  committee  and  Anton  Hafner  grand  marshal  of  the 
parade,  Sept.  19. 

Hon.  William  Law  Learned,  LL.D.,  born  at  New  London,  Conn.. 
July  24,  1821  ;  Yale  salutatorian,  1841  ;  appointed  justice  of 
Supreme  Court  by  Governor  Hoffman  to  succeed  Justice  Rufus 
W.  Peckham  (lost  at  sea  on  Ville  de  Havre)  and  tlicn  elected 
justice  for  14  years,  presiding  judge,  1S75  !  serving  many  years 
as  the  president  of  the  following  organizations,  .Albany  Rural 
Cemetery  Association,  Albany  Boys'  Academy,  Albany  Female 
Academy,  Albany  Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society, 
Board  of  Education  and  Fort  Oran.ge  Club ;  owner  of  a  sum- 
mer home  at  Selkirk,  N.  Y.,  and  residence  at  Xo.  208  State 


784  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1904-1905. 

street ;  a  man  of  fine  parts,  well-read  and  philanthropic ;  is 
found  dead  in  his  ofifice,  seated  by  his  desk,  No.  80  State  street, 
having  come  to  town  in  forenoon  to  attend  to  business, 

Sept.  20. 

John  V.  L.  Pruyn,  son  of  the  late  Chancellor  J.  V.  L.  Pruyn,  lawyer, 
former  Alderman-at-Large  and  writer,  aged  45  years,  dies  in 
New  York  City  (burial  in  Rural  Cemetery).  Sept.  22. 

Chamber  of  Commerce  organizes  Hallowe'en  fete,  George  D.  Bab- 
bitt president  of  committee,  Sept.  23. 

Archbishop  of  Canterbury  (Randall  T.  Davidson),  Mrs.  Davidson 
and  J.  Pierrepont  Morgan  arrive  from  Bar  Harbor.  Me.,  and 
dine  with  Bishop  Doane  at  the  Bishopric,  No.  29,  Elk  St., 

Sept.  23. 

Burial  of  Judge  Learned,  Rural  Cemetery,  Sept.   23. 

Earliest  killing  frost  of  the  season,  Sept.  23. 

Earliest  snow  of  the  season,  Oct.  12. 

Rev.  George  Galen  Carter,  S.  T.  D.,  who  was  made  chancellor  of 
All  Saints'  Cathedral  in  1900  (b.  Brooklyn,  Nov.  8,  1840), 
dies  at  his  home.  No.  62  South  Swan  street,  Dec.  3. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Dec.  4. 

William  E.  Walsh,  hat  store  and  gentlemen's  goods,  long  conducted 
by  him  at  No.  58  State,  and  lately  at  No.  2-4  No.  Pearl  St., 
dies,  Dec.   15. 

John  D.  Parsons,  Jr.,  president  of  Albany  Trust  Co.  from  start, 
and  of  the  Albany  Exchange  Bank  many  years,  the  son  of 
the  late  John  D.  Parsons  of  Weed  &  Parsons,  printers  on 
Columbia  st.,  graduate  of  Albany  A.cademy  and  Union  College, 
member  of  Masters'  Lodge,  a  man  of  wealth  and  liberality, 
collector  of  rare  books  and  autographs,  with  summer  residence 
on  shore  of  the  Hudson  at  Selkirk,  dies  suddenly  at  his  home, 
No.  233  State  st.,  Dec.  16. 


1905. 


Frank  W.   Higgins   sworn   in  as   Governor,  Jan.    i. 

Heavy  precipitation  of  snow,  registering  as  water  9  inches,    Jan.  2. 

Prof.  James  Weir  Mason  (b.  Albany,  1836)  principal  of  the  Albany 
Academy  and  instructor  in  mathematics,  1863-68,  dies  at 
Easton,  Pa.,  Jan.  10. 

William  J.  Ouinlan,  owner  for  several  years  of  the  victorious  Al- 
bany Baseball  team  of  State  League   (1902)   dies,         Jan.   14. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  IIENRV  GAUS.  785 

1905. 

George  Henry  Bonghton,  artist  of  national  repute,  whose  boyhood 
was  spent  in  this  city  where  his  family  were  residents ;  taking 
up  his  abode  in  New  York  in  1858,  later  in  Paris,  and  after 
that,  in  1862,  at  London,  Eng.,  elected  a  National  Academician 
in  1871,  an  associate  of  the  Royal  Academy  in  1879,  ^^^^  becom- 
ing an  Academician  in  1896;  elected  vice-president  of  the  Royal 
Academy ;  found  dead  in  his  studio  at  Campden  Hill,  London, 

Jan.   19. 

Cephas  W.  Cureton,  past  commander  of  Lew  O.  IMorris  Post,  No. 
121,  also  of  William  A.  Jackson  Post,  No.  644,  aged  60 
years,   dies,  Jan.   20. 

Thermometer  6  degrees  below  zero,  coldest  of  the  month,      Jan.  26. 

Lewis  Benedict  Hall,  attorney  at  No.  25  No.  Pearl  st,  former  presi- 
dent of  Albany  Academy  Alumni  Association,  frequently  called 
upon  to  address  gatlierings  because  of  his  dry,  infectious 
humor,  dies,  Feb.   12. 

Dean  Henry  R.  Talbot  of  All  Saints'  Cathedral,  gives  a  public 
reception  at  the  Deanery  in  honor  of  Bishop  Doane's  departure 
the  following  day  to  Sicily,  to  be  gone  six  months,       Feb.  22. 

Funeral  at  St.  Peter's  Church  of  Mrs.  Richard  Lord  Annesley, 
who  had  died  while  traveling  with  her  husband,  the  head  of 
the  art  firm  of  that  name,  in  Europe,  the  previous  month, 

jMarch    5. 

King  Fountain  winter  covering  removed  and  lake  now  free  from  ice, 

March  5. 

Dr.  David  Murray,  an  educator  of  world-wide  repute,  principal  of 
the  Albany  Academy,  1857- 1863  ;  becoming  professor  of  math- 
ematics at  Rutgers  College,  1863 ;  Mikado  of  Japan  accepts 
him  on  recommendation  of  the  President  as  the  best  man  to 
inaugurate  a  school  system  for  that  nation,  1873-1879;  made 
secretary  of  Board  of  Regents,  1880-1889;  returns  to  Rutgers 
College,  dies  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  March  6. 

Charles  AIcAulay,  a  valiant  fighter  in  the  Civil  War,  who  had  long- 
conducted  a  religious  book-store  at  No.   13  Plain  st.,  dies, 

March   10 

Heavy  snowstorm,  8  inches,  March  21 

Investigation  ordered  by  the  city  of  gaseous  odors  in  the  water 

March  23 

Preusser  trial  completed,  March  24 

Ex-Congressman  Charles  Tracey,  president  of  Colnml)ia  Distilling 
Co.    (No.  924   Broadway)    General   of   the   Papal    Guard,    (h 
Albany,  May  27,  1847)  dies  at  his  home.  No.  20  Willett  st., 

March  24 

Ice  breaks  up  before  the  city,  water  over  D.  &  H.  tracks,    March  2"/ 


786  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1905. 

Gen.  Charles  Tracey  buried  from  St.  Ann's  Church,  crowded  with 
his  many  friends,  Bishop  Burke  dehvering  eulogy,  burial  St. 
Agnes,  March  27. 

Safe  blown  on  an  upper  floor  of  the  Drislane  Building  on  No.  Pearl 
St.,  by  two  men.  March  28. 

River  clear  of  ice  before  the  city,  March  28. 

Disastrous  fire  in  Hisgen  Bros.'  axle-grease  factory  on  Tivoli  street 
at  5  a.  m.,  believed  incendiary,  March  30. 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record),  April  i. 

Capt.  Howard  Udell  McMillan  of  Co.  A,  Tenth  Battalion,  elected 
major,  April  12. 

Gen.  John  Palmer,  twice  elected  secretary  of  State,  a  prominent 
Republican,  valiant  service  in  the  Civil  War,  wherein  he  was 
critically  injured  and  a  sufferer  for  life,  commander-in-chief 
of  the  Grand  Army,  (born  March  22,  1842),  dies  at  his  home, 
No.   728  Madison  ave.,  April    15. 

Snowfall  covering  the  ground  completely,  April  16. 

Latest  snow  of  the  season,  April  18. 

State  barge  canal  work  commenced  at  Fort  Miller,  April  24. 

Water  let  into  the  Erie  canal,  April  26. 

Col.  Willard  Glazier,  Civil  War  fighter  and  prisoner,  author  of  a 
dozen  books  of  enormous  circulation,  discoverer  of  the  source 
of  the  Mississippi  river,  Lake  Glazier,  explorer  of  Labrador, 
dies,  April  26. 

Byron  Travers,  guest  at  Kenmore  Hotel,  departs  for  New  York, 
having  been  handed  ihc  wrong  satchel  containing  $5,000  in 
diamonds,  April  26. 

First  Lieutenant  William  B.  Coates  elected  captain  of  Co.  A,  loth 
Battalion,  to  succeed  Howard  U.  McMillan  previously  chosen 
major,  April  29. 

Latest  spring  frost  of  the  season,  May  2. 

Albany   Medical   College   commencement.  May  2. 

Albany  Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society  elects  James  Ten 
Eyck  president  for  first  time  at  its  (6th)  annual  meeting  held 
in   its  building  at  No.    176  State  st..  May  8. 

William  Goodwin  and  Louis  Himmell,  safe-breakers  of  the  Dris- 
lane Building,  saw  their  way  from  cells  in  the  Penitentiary 
and  are  caught  in  the  attic.  May  9. 

William  Minott  Whitney,  head  of  the  dry  goods  firm  of  Wm.  M. 
Whitney  &  Co.,  one  of  the  two  largest  business  houses  of  the 
kind  in  this  city  or  part  of  the  state,  conducted  by  him  for 
more  than  half  a  century  on  the  east  side  of  No.  Pearl  st., 
dies  of  apoplexy  at  his  handsome  home,  No.  158  Washington 
ave.,  s.  w.  cor.  of  Dove  street.  May  10. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  IIEXRV  GAUS.  /S/ 


1905. 


Albany  Academy  Cadets'  competitive  drill  in  Washington  Park, 

May    12. 

Local  ]\Iasons  attend  funeral  obsequies  of  AI.  W.  Jesse  B.  Anthony, 
for  14  years  superintendent  of  the  Home  at  Utica,  burial  at 
Oakwood  Cemetery,  Troy,  IMay  25. 

Close  of  Brotherhood  of  St.  Andrew's  12th  annual  convention  at 
St.  Paul's  Church,  May  29. 

Rev.  R.  H.  Rollins,  having  leased  the  jSIanor  House  and  grounds 
north  of  Rensselaer  (built  by  Wm.  Patterson  Van  Rensselaer 
about  1841)  and  later  purchased  (1850)  by  Paul  Forbes  as  a 
country-seat,  thus  becoming  known  popularly  as  Forbes  Manor, 
opens  it  as  Van  Rensselaer  Park  for  the  benefit  of  Sunday 
school  excursions  and  picnics  generally.  May  30. 

St.  Agnes'  School  commencement,  r)ishop  Xelson  reading  annual 
address  to  the  graduates  by  Bishop  Doane,  because  of  his  ab- 
sence in  Europe,  May  31. 

Dr.  Henry  Wadsworth  Giles,  organist  of  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church  for  more  than  a  score  of  years,  a  graduate  of  Albany 
Medical  College,  (b.  Cherry  Valley,  N.  Y.)  dies  at  his  home 
on  So.  Allen  St.,  June. 

Brig.-Gen.  Charles  W.  Plobbs,  U.  S.  A.,  given  a  banquet  at  the 
Hampton  by  military  men,  admirers  and  former  Albany  friends, 

June  6. 

William  C.  McHarg,  connected  with  tlie  Callanan  Road  Improve- 
ment Co.,  dies  at  his  home.  No.  193  Lancaster  St.,         June  6. 

Light  frost,  temperature  44  degrees,  June  8. 

Tenth  Battalion  returns  from  camp,  June  10. 

Empire  Opera  Co.  disbands  suddenly  at  Empire  theatre,  the  man- 
ager leaving  the  members  in  distress  and  they  appeal  for  city 
aid,  Jnne  13. 

Flag  Day  quite  generally  celebrated  with  displays,  June  14. 

Safe-blowers  Louis  Himmell  and  William  Goodman,  for  breaking 
into  an  ofilice  in  Drislane  Building  on  night  of  March  28th, 
sentenced  to  serve  more  than  4  years  at  Dannemora,     June  14. 

Miss  HarrieL  L.  Gaylord,  niece  of  the  late  Edwin  Croswell  (the 
prominent  editor  of  The  Argus  in  its  early  existence)  and  who 
conducted  a  private  school  at  Catskill,  attended  by  a  dozen 
or  more  prominent  Albanians  (b.  Catskill,  Aug.  6.  1824)  dies 
at  Rutherford,   N.  J.,  June   14. 

Bishop  Burke  receives  life-size  portrait  of  Pius  X.,  painted  by 
Commendatore  Enrico  Scifone,  Tune  14. 

Albany  Academy  Commencement,  held  in  its  Assembly  room,  Clar- 
ence T.   Graham,  valedictorian.  Tune    15. 


CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 


1905. 


Rev.  John  Townsend,  son  of  the  late  Mayor  John  Townsend, 
graduate  of  the  Albany  Academy  and  Union  College,  for  some 
time  in  the  past  a  Chancellor  of  All  Saints'  Cathedral  and 
holding  rectorships  outside  the  city,  dies  at  Middletown,  Conn., 
aged  72  years,  on  June  13th,  and  funeral  held  at  St.  Peter's 
Church,  burial  at  Rural,  June  16. 

Grace  Episcopal  Church  celebrates  its  59th  anniversary,     June  18. 

Christian   Brothers'   Academy  commencement   at   Empire   Theatre, 

June  19. 

Judge  Jerome  B.  Fisher  elected  Supreme  Court  Reporter  to  suc- 
ceed Marcus  T.  Hun,  who  had  most  creditably  held  the  office 
since  1874,  June  19. 

Temperature  drops  from  84  to  54  degrees  during  the  day,    June  20. 

Robert  Hewson  Pruyn's  oil  portrait  presented  to  Rutgers  College 
by  his  son,  Robert  C.  Pruyn,  Hon.  Andrew  S.  Draper  making 
the   presentation   address,  June   21. 

James  F.  Tracey,  prominent  Albany  attorney  (Tracey  &  Cooper,  25 
No.  Pearl)  appointed  associate  justice  of  the  court  in  the 
Philippine   Islands  by  President  Roosevelt,  July   i. 

John  A.  Harid,  many  years  in  office  of  the  Thacher  Car  Wheel 
Works,  dies,  July  2. 

Albany  Yacht  Club's  building  on  east  shore,  opposite  State  street, 
burned   to   the   ground,  July   3. 

Independence  Day  celebration.  Second  Battalion  and  other  military 
bodies  parade,  Capt.  William  F.  Wheelock  grand  ^marshal ; 
Rev.  John  Lynch  the  orator  and  Rev.  A.  M.  Vander  Wart  the 
chaplain ;  orphans  entertained  in  Washington  Park ;  fireworks 
in  Beaver  Park,  July  4. 

Capt.  Charles  A.  Bailey,  office  on  the  Pier  at  the  foot  of  State 
street  bridge,  prominent  resident  of  Rensselaer  and  known  to 
all  river  men,  (b.  London,  Eng.,  coming  to  Bath-on-the-Hud- 
son  in  1856)  president  of  Bath  two  terms  and  concerned  in 
barge  and  tow  lines,  dies,  July  6. 

Dr.  N.  Emmons  Paine's  wife,  Harriet  Gould  (daughter  of  the 
late  William  Gould),  both  long  residents  of  this  city,  removed 
to  West  Newton,   Mass.,   dies  there   suddenly,  July  8. 

Frederick  B.  Hubbard,  insurance  agent  with  office  in  Tweddle 
Building  (b.  Watertown,  Nov.  24,  1844),  dies  suddenly,  July  9. 

Legislature  in  special  session,  opening  of  the  trial  of  Judge  Warren 
B.  Hooker  before  both  houses  in  Assembly  Chamber,  Lieut.- 
Gov.   Bruce  presiding,  July   10. 

Wm.  B.  Gore,  many  years  conducting  an  antiquary  book-store  at 
No.  103  So.  Pearl  st.,  prostrated  by  heat,  dies  at  Homeopathic 
Hospital,  July  11. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  789 

— < 

1905. 

Highest  temperature  of  the  month,  96  degrees,  mean  for  32  years 
for  this  month  being  73  degrees,  record  of  July  3,  1898,  being 
100  degrees,  July  18. 

Legislative  trial  of  Justice  Hooker  ends  in  his  favor,  76  to  67, 

July  20. 

Rear-Admiral  Charles  Dwight  Sigsbee  (b.  Albany,  at  No.  20  Spring 
St.,  Jan.  16,  1845)  arrives  at  Virginia  Capes,  commanding  the 
U.  S.  Cruiser  Brooklyn,  with  the  remains  of  Admiral  John  Paul 
Jones,  America's  first  admiral  (born  at  Kirkbean.  Kirkcud- 
brightshire, Scotland.  July  6,  1747,  son  of  John  Paul,  a  Scotch 
gardener,  going  to  Virginia  under  assumed  name  of  Jones  in 
1773,  in  1775  being  appointed  ist  lieutenant  of  the  Alfred,  a 
30-gun  frigate  in  American  navy,  on  April  24,  1778;  aboard 
the  Ranger,  captured  British  sloop-of-war,  Drake ;  sailed  on 
Aug.  14,  1779,  in  command  of  the  Bonhomme  Richard,  with 
four  other  war  vessels  about  Ireland  and  Scotland,  falling  in 
with  the  Serapis  and  others  on  Sept.  23,  1779,  when  ensued 
one  of  the  greatest  naval  battles  ever  fought,  the  Serapis  sur- 
rendering to  him;  returned  to  Paris  in  1790  and  died  at  Paris 
on  July  18,  1792),  the  United  States  government  desiring  to 
inter  the  remains  in  this  country,  July  22. 

Col.  Daniel  Scott  Lamont,  whom  Gov.  S.  J.  Tilden  brought  to  this 
city  in  1874  to  be  deputy  clerk  of  the  Assembly,  becoming 
connected  with  The  Argus  in  1875  as  reporter,  later  managing 
editor,  made  Gov.  Grover  Cleveland's  private  secretary,  and  in 
his  first  term  was  secretary  to  the  president,  during  his  second 
presidential  term.  1893-97,  the  U.  S.  secretary  of  war,  dies  at 
his  summer  home  at  Millbrook,  Dutchess  Co.,  of  heart  failure, 
being  a  resident  of  New  York  City  at  the  time  and  connected 
with  its  largest  enterprises,  Ji-^ly  23. 

Rev.  Dr.  J.  Wilson  of  Philadelphia  addresses  certain  Episcopalians 
who  oppose  the  so-called  '"  high  church  "'  service  at  Sprague 
Chapel,  with  the  view  of  organizing  a  Reformed  Episcopal 
church  here,  Tulv  23. 

Milton  S.  Hoag,  prominent  liveryman  on  Willett  street,  dies, 

July  24. 

Albion  W.  Floyd,  expert  photographer  for  illustrative  work  and 
collector  of  numerous  negatives  of  old  Albany,  dies,       July  24. 

William  Mullen  burned  to  death,  asleep  in  stable.  No.  154  Church 
street,  Aug.   i. 

Theodore  Townsend,  many  years  the  treasurer  of  Albany  Savings 
Bank  (appointed  1882),  an  alderman  in  1853  and  1854  (b.  Al- 
bany, Oct.  9,  1827),  the  son  of  former  INTayor  John  Townsend, 
dies  at  Westport  Inn,  Westport,  on  Lake  Champlain,     Aug.  3. 


7Q0  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1905. 

The  John  G.  Myers  Dry  Goods  Co.  store,  Nos.  39-41  North  Pearl 
street,  collapses  at  the  time  the  clerks  are  arriving  to  open  the 
store,  the  roof  of  the  immense  6-story  building  crashing 
through  the  cellar,  bearing  everything  with  it,  entombing  about 
80  persons  and  killing  13  clerks,  due  to  insecure  underpinning 
and  shoring  in  the  cellar  while  extensive  improvements  were 
under  way ;  the  streets  immediately  guarded  by  a  cordon  of 
police  and  all  ambulances  of  the  city  summoned,  at  noon  the 
railroads  sending  up  an  army  of  men  with  picks  to  remove  the 
debris,  and  the  city  oi^cials  rendering  assistance  under  direc- 
tion of  Mayor  Gaus  in  person  on  the  scene,  Aug.  8. 

Partial  eclipse  of  the  moon  visible  here,  clouding  later,       Aug.  14. 

Michael  Daley,  contractor  on  many  large  buildings  here,  dies  at  his 
home.  No.  221    North   Pearl  street,  Aug.   iq. 

Cosimo  Biele,  indicted  for  murder  in  February  of  Edward  Red- 
mond, and  Thomas  Mart,  burglary,  saw  way  out  of  peniten- 
tiary, Aug.  20. 

Inquest  of  Myers  dry-goods  store  collapse  begun  by  Coroner  W.  S. 
Van  Guysling,  Aug.  21. 

Albany  County  Fair  opens  at  Altamont,  Aug.  22. 

Judge  John  J.  Bradv  elected  2nd  vice-president  Catholic  Young 
Men's  Cnion  at  the  convention  being  held  in  this  city, 

Aug.  22. 

Census  enumicration  of  last  June  made  public,  at  this  time  98,362, 
an  increase  of  4,211  over  U.  S.  Census  of  1900,  then  94,151, 
and  for  the  county  171,497,  Aug.  23. 

Stove-mounters'  strike  at  Rathbone,  Sard  &  Co.,  Aug.  25. 

John  W.  Rogers  and  wife,  stopping  at  Hotel  Ten  Eyck  abandon 
6-year-old  son  and  baby,  "  Rex,"  who  are  taken  to  Lathrop 
Memorial,  Aug.  25. 

Attorney  Frederick  E.  Wadhams  elected  treasurer  of  American 
Bar  Association  at  convention  at  Narragansett,  Aug.  25. 

German  Day  celebration  begun  by  sacred  concert  in  evening  at 
Harmanus  Bleecker  Hall,  Atig.  2^. 

Body  recovered  on  east  shore  of  river  near  middle  bridge  of  Frank 
G.  Powers,  who  on  24th  jumped  from  Troy- Albany  boat. 

■  Aug.  27. 

German  Day  parade  of  fanciful  floats  in  morning,  picnic  at  Dobler 
Park  in  afternoon ;  Anton  Hafner  grand  marshal  and  Gustave 
Zinserling  his  chief  of  staff,  Aug.  28. 

Wage  scale  dispute  started  on  July  ist  between  employees  of  United 
Traction  Co.  and  the  officers,  opens  before  arbitrators  in  City 
Hall,  Judge  John  T.  McDonough,  Lewis  E.  Carr  and  Judge 
J.  Rider  Cady  of  Hudson,  Aug.  29. 


No.  62.  CIIARLKS  HEXRV  GAUS.  791 

1905. 

Carl  Hagenbeck  trained  animals  here,  Aut?.  31. 

Offer  of  $50,000  made  for  the  Albany  horse,  IMajor  Dclmar,  trained 
by  Alta  P.  McDonald  on  Troy  Road  stables,  by  1 1.  M.  Hanna 
of  Cleveland,  Aug.  31. 

Hon.  William  Barnes,  Sr.,  delivers  important  address  on  arbitration 
at  a  peace  conference  held  at  the  Shaker  colony,  Alt.  Lebanon, 
N.  Y.,  "  Sept.   I. 

Labor  Day  parade  of  diminished  proportions  because  of  heavy 
downpour,  Sept.  4. 

Judge  Judson  S.  Landon,  president  of  Union  College  1884-1888,  a 
familiar  figure  for  years  in  this  city,  aged  75,  dies  at  Schenec- 
tady, Sept.  7. 

Deaconess  Leonard  of  Troy  appointed  to  place  vacated  by  Airs. 
Ellingworth  upon  her  marriage,  whose  post  had  been  for  years 
at  the  L^nion  Railroad  station,  Sept.  9. 

Albany  Baseball  team,  its  first  year  under  President  Charles  M. 
Winchester,  Jr.,  terminates  the  season,  fourth  in  State  League, 

Sept.  10. 

High  and  all  public  schools  open,  attendance  of  i.oii  at  former, 

Sept.  II. 

Printers  inaugurate  strike  in  publisliing  plants  on  demanding  sign- 
ing of  agreement  to  go  into  eft'ect  first  day  of  new  year, 

Sept.   II. 

James  Brennan,  ex-assemblyman,  1893,  and  proprietor  of  Brennan 
House,  No.  5  Green  street,  dies,  Sept.   11. 

Compositors  of  The  Argus  go  out  because  of  affiliation  with  its 
job  department,  but  the  newspaper  issues  as  usual,        Sept.  12. 

Fletcher  Barber,  of  Barber  &  Bennett,  grain,  formerly  conducting 
elevator  in  pier,  with  office  on  lower  Broadway,  dies  at  Berne 

Sept.  16. 

Albanians  testify  at  New  York  city  before  the  Armstrong  Legisla- 
tive special  committee  investigating  State  life  insurance  com- 
panies, w^hich  assumes  intense  interest  in  its  development, 

Sept.  21. 

Capt.  George  H.  Atkinson,  organizer  of  Albany  branch  V.  S.  Vol. 
Life  Saving  Corps,  aged  53  years,  dies.  Sept  18. 

Republican  General  Committee  organizes,  electing  Senator  James 
B.  McEwan  president,  Luther  C.Warner  secretary,  and  George 
Haswell  treasurer,  Sept.  22. 

W^ife  of  Dr.  Cyrus  S.  Merrill,  prominent  among  local  D.  A.  R. 
societies,  and  charitable,  dies  after  brief  illness,  Sept.  22^ 

Albany  Association  of  National  Guard  Officers  organizes  at  armory, 
electing  Gen.  Frederick  Phisterer,  of  adjutant-general's  office 
(assistant)    its   president.  Sept.   2^. 


792  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1905. 

Gideon  Hawley  dies,  Sept.  23. 

Head-on  collision  on  Albany  &  Hudson  electric  road,  north  of  Nas- 
sau, immediate  death  of  Thomas  Loftus,  of  Rensselaer,  motor- 
man,  Sept.  24. 

Grand  jury  given  J.  G.  Myers  Co.  building  collapse  case,     Sept.  25, 

Republican  county  convention  held  at  noon  in  City  Hall,       Sept.  26. 

Archibald  McGarvey,  son  of  late  Alichael  INIcGarvey  (stove  m'f'r), 
dies,  Sept.  26. 

Democrats  hold   ist  Assembly  district  convention,  Sept.  27. 

Taylor  and  Amsdell  Brewing  companies'  stockholders  ratify  agree- 
ment to  enter  Hudson  River  brewery  syndicate,  Sept.  27. 

George  C.  Van  Tuyl,  treasurer  of  Albany  Trust  Co.,  testifies  before 
the  Armstrong  insurance  investigating  committee  at  New 
York,  Sept.  o.'j. 

Democrats  hold  3rd  Assembly  district  convention,  Sept.  28. 

Democrats  hold  4th  Assembly  district  convention,  Watervliet, 

Sept.  29. 

Hebrew  New  Year's  celebrated,  Sept.  30. 

Wheeler  H.  Peckham,  prominent  New  York  City  attorney  (born  at 
Albany,  Jan.  i,  1833,  son  of  late  Judge  Rufus  W.  Peckham, 
Sr.  (who  was  lost  at  sea  on  the  Ville  de  Havre),  dies  in  that 
city,  Sept.  2"j,  and  Albany  Bar  Association  attends  his  funeral 
at  Rural  Cemetery,  Sept.  30. 

Fourth  Reformed  Church,  Rev.  Fr.  Mueller  celebrates  Golden  Jubi- 
lee, Oct.  I. 

Ancients  and  Honorables  arrive  from  Boston  and  parade,       Oct.  2. 

Hallowe'en  committee  of  Carnival  appoints  Miss  Catherine  Hess  to 
be  "  Queen  Titania ;"  x\nna  Stolz,  "  Goddess  of  Liberty ;"  Eliz- 
abeth Gregory,  "  Cinderella,"  and  Ellis  J.  Staley  as  "  Prince 
Charming,"  Oct.  2. 

Ancients  and  Honorables  banquet  at  Hotel  Ten  Eyck,  Oct.  3. 

Republican  city  convention  held  at  City  Hall,  renominating  Major 
Charles  H.  Gaus  for  mayor,  Oct.  3. 

Hon.  John  Battersby,  elected  county  treasurer  in  1884,  re-elected 
1887,  butcher  for  many  years  at  n.  w.  corner  North  Pearl  and 
Clinton  avenue,  and  known  throughout  the  county  as  "Honest" 
John  Battersby,  dies,  Oct.  3. 

Usual  large  fall  excursion  from  Boston  arrives,  and  Ancients  and 
Honorables  military  body  departs  on  the  day  boat,  Oct.  4. 

Republican  Third  Judicial  district  convention  held  at  noon  at  Un- 
conditional Club's  building  on  south  side  of  Beaver  street,  nom- 
inating Surrogate  George  H.  Fitts  to  succeed  Judge  George  D. 
B.  Hasbroiick,  Oct.  5. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  793 

1905. 

Louis  Ziriax  of  this  city,  acting  as  chauffeur,  fatahy  injured  by  his 
automobile  cohiding  at  West  Xewton,  Alass.,  with  motor-car, 

Oct.  8. 

Hebrew  feast  of  Yom  Kippur,  Day  of  Atonement,  celebrated, 

Oct.  9. 

Veteran  Fireman's  x\ss'n  of  Philadelphia  arrive  and  parade,  Oct.  9. 

Democratic  city  convention  held  at  evening  in  the  City  Hall,  nomi- 
nating Dr.  William  J.  Wansboro  for  mayor,  Oct.  10. 

Second  large  fall  excursion  party  this  year  from  Boston,       Oct.  11. 

Annual  parade  of  fire  and  police  departments,  commanded  by  Fire 
Chief  Alichael  E.  Higgins  and  Chief  of  Police  James  L.  Hyatt, 

Oct.   II. 

Veteran  Firemen's  Ass'n  depart  for  Newburgh  and  Philadelphia, 

Oct.  II. 

Dr.  William  Olin  Stillman  elected  president  of  the  American  Hu- 
mane Society  in  convention  at  Philadelphia,  Oct.  12. 

Democratic  county  convention  held  at  noon  at  City  Hall,  nominat- 
ing ticket  headed  by  Harry  H.  W^alsh  for  county  treasurer, 

Oct.  12. 

Italian  societies  parade  in  commemoration  of  the  413th  anniversary 
of  the  arrival  of  Columbus  in  America,  Oct.  12. 

Legislative  funeral  train  passes  through  at  2:15  a.  m.  from  New 
York  to  Westfield,  Chautauqua  county,  to  attend  funeral  of 
Speaker  S.  Fred  Nixon,  and  Governor  Higgins  joins  the  party, 

Oct.  13. 

First  registration  day's  figures:  9,432;  in  1904  was  12,568;  in  1903, 
was  8,492;  in  1902  was  7,896,  Oct.  13. 

Total  registration  for  first  Friday  and  Saturday  registration  in 
city,  15,662;  in  1903  (last  municipal  election)  was  14,399,  being 
an  increase  of  1,263  registrations,  Oct.   14. 

John  P.  Bailly,  merchant  tailor  of  No.  jy  North  Pearl  street,  dies 
at  his  home,  No.  133  Eagle  street,  after  illness  of  four  years, 

Oct.   14. 

Grand  jury  fails  to  indict  in  Myers  building  disaster,         Oct.   16. 

George  Roark,  many  years  conducting  lumber-yard  and  planing- 
mill  at  foot  of  North  Ferry  street,  for  past  20  years  a  resident 
of  Hadley,  N.  Y.,  aged  86  years,  dies  there,  Oct.   18. 

Alexander  Selkirk,  inventor  and  patent  lawyer  of  many  years.  No. 
31  North  Pearl  street  (b.  Bethlehem,  July  18,  1830,  living  on 
farm  of  his  grandfather,  James  Selkirk,  a  Revolutionary 
fighter,  after  whom  town  is  named),  dies  at  his  home,  No.  284 
Clinton  avenue,  after  illness,  Oct.  18. 

James  Farrell,  prominent  contractor,  dies  at  Albany  Hospital, 

Oct.  19. 


794  CHARLES  HEXRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1905. 

Gov.  Fiank  W.  Higgins  appoints  Wni.  Bayard  Van  Rensselaer,  Dr. 
Samuel  B.  Ward,  Senator  David  B.  Hill  and  Donald  McDon- 
ald (pres.  Chamber  of  Commerce)  on  the  ter-centennial  com- 
mittee to  celebrate  300th  anniversary  of  discovery  of  the  Hud- 
son river,  Oct.  19. 

Edward  F.  Hughes  thrown  from  wagon  at  South  Pearl  and  Beaver, 
in  a  runaway,  and  dies  at  Homeopathic  Hospital,       Oct.  23. 

Work  begim  on  new  river  intake  for  water  supply,  Oct.  23. 

King  Fountain  covered  for  winter  and  park  made  ready  for  cold, 

Oct.  23. 

William  Sautter,  prominent  druggist  at  No.  8  North  Pearl  street, 
dies  of  heart  failure  at  Hoffman  House,  New  York  City,  aged 
47,  Oct.  24. 

Death  of  widow  of  Capt.  Edgar  V.  Denison,  No.  loi  Columbia 
street,  Oct.  24. 

New  York  State  Supreme  Court  eulogizes  Marcus  T.  Hun  on  com- 
pletion of  his  30  years  as  court  reporter,  and  orders  resolution 
printed  in  the  last  volume  issued  under  his  supervision, 

Oct.  25. 

Earliest  killing  frost  of  the  season,  Oct.  25. 

Archibald  J.  McClure's  residence.  No.  483  State  street,  robbed  of 
considerable  jewelry  by  fictitious  telephone  lineman,       Oct.  25. 

Hon.  Robert  G.  Scherer,  graduate  of  Cornell,  admitted  lawyer, 
1882 ;  member  board  of  public  instruction,  assemblyman  two 
terms,  miscellaneous  court  reporter ;  board  of  examiners 
general  term  (b.  Albany,  March  20,  1861),  dies  at  his  home. 
No.  618  Madison  avenue,  Oct.  28. 

John  G.  Burch,  who  opened  grocery,  coal  and  wood  yard  in  West 
Albany  in  1873,  elected  alderman  in  1871,  re-elected  and 
chosen  president  of  Common  Council,  and  during  mayoralty 
contest  between  George  H.  Thacher  and  E.  L.  Judson,  Feb.  2- 
April  20,  1874,  acting  mayor,  aged  78,  dies  at  his  home.  No.  2 
Watervliet  avenue,  Nov.  i. 

Albany  Garage  Co.,  recently  organized,  buys  Nos.  28-30  Howard 
street,  Nov.  i. 

President  Roosevelt  proclaims  Nov.  30th  set  apart  as  a  day  of 
Thanksgiving,  Nov.  2. 

Major  Charles  H.  Gaus  re-elected  the  Mayor  of  Albany  at  the 
Charter  election  held  this  day,  receiving  i.S.QiS  votes  as  the 
Republican  candidate ;  his  opponent.  Dr.  William  J.  Wansboro, 
receiving  7,379  votes  as  the  Democratic  candidate ;  void,  199 
votes;  blank,  314  votes;  others,  11  votes;  total  number  of  votes 
cast,  23,818;  Gaus'  majority  over  Wansboro  being  8,536  votes, 
he  is  declared  elected  the  ^layor  of  Albany,  Nov.  7. 


No.  62.  CHARI.KS  llliXKV  GAUS.  795 


1905. 


Gov.  Frank  W .   Hii^i^ins  sets  ai)art  Nov.   ^oth  as  Thankst^iving. 

Nov.  8. 

Earliest  autumn  snow  of  the  season,  Nov.  9. 

Myers  buikling  disaster  case  given  to  grand  jury  2nd  time,  Nov.  13. 

Ground  covered  with  snow,  Nov.   13. 

John  G.  Myers  Dry  Goods  Co.,  having  been  open  temporarily  at 
No.  69  North  Pearl  street,  entirely  burned  out  by  fire  starting 
in  engine  room  in  the  basement  at  i  a.  m.,  Nov.   15. 

Sale  of  United  Traction  stock  at  $150  to  D.  &  H. railroad  interests, 

Nov.    18. 

Unitarian  meeting-house  on  south  side  of  Lancaster,  near  Eagle 
street  re-dedicated  after  serious  fire.  Rev.  Robert  Collyer  of 
New  York  officiating.  Rev.  Thomas  S.  Robjent,  pastor,  pre- 
siding, Nov.  19. 

Rev.  Joseph  Addison  Jones  preaches  his  initial  sermon  at  Madison 
Avenue  (Second)   Dutch  Reformed  Church,  Nov.  19. 

Coating  of  ice  on  Washington  Park  lake,  Nov.   19. 

Bishop  Doane  opens  annual  convention  of  the  Episcopal  diocese  of 
Albany  at  Cathedral  of  All  Saints,  characteristic  address, 

Nov.  21. 

Board  of  County  Canvassers  report  returns  of  Charter  election  held 
on  November  7th,  completing  tabulation.  Nov.  21. 

Reformed  Episcopal  Church,  having  organized  here,  extends  a  call 
to  Rev.  Dr.  Frederick  H.  Reynolds  of  Philadelphia,       Nov.  19. 

Ice  solid  across  Washington  Park  lake,  Nov.  22. 

Discovery  of  the  dead  body  of  Mrs.  Ella  Wilbur-Cramp  Hammond 
crowded  into  a  trunk  in  the  fireplace  of  her  parlor  of  their 
home.  No.  42  South  Ferry  street,  near  Green,  Nov.  23. 

Celebration  throughout  the  country  of  the  250th  anniversary  of  the 
settlement  of  Jews  in  America,  Nov.  24. 

Messrs.  Dyer  and  Daggett  arraigned  on  charge  of  negligence  for 
the  Myers  building  collapse  disaster,  pleading  not  guilty, 

Nov.  27. 

Erie  canal  closed  for  the  season,  Nov.  28. 

Thanksgiving  Day  observed,  following  proclamations  of  President 
Roosevelt  and  Governor  Higgins,  Nov.  30. 

The  John  G.  Myers  Dry  Goods  Co.,  having  been  l)urned  out  of 
temporary  quarters  at  No.  69  North  Pearl  street,  opens  in  The 
Boston  Co.'s  dry  goods  store  at  s.  e.  corner  North  Pearl  and 
Steuben  streets,  site  of  the  home  of  Gov.  De\\'itt  Clinton,  who 
died  there  Feb.  11,  1828,  Dec.  2. 

The  Rogers  children  who  had  been  abandoned  by  parents  at  Hotel 
Ten  Eyck  during  summer  and  cared  for  at  Lathrop  Memorial 
Home,  adopted  legally  by  man  and  wife  of  New  Jersey,  Dec.  2. 


796  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1905. 

Last  tow  of  the  season  departs  southward,  Dec.   2. 

The  B.  P.  O.  Elks,  No.  49  of  Albany,  holds  anniversary  service  at 
Harmanus  Bleecker  Hall,  honoring  the  memory  of  the  year's 
deceased,  John  M.  Davis,  treasurer  of  The  Albany  Evening 
Journal  Co. ;  Julius  F"ish,  tobacco ;  and  Harry  K.  Morris, 

Dec.   3. 

Stuart  G.  Speir,  who  had  conducted  for  some  years  a  typewriter 
agency  in  this  city,  removed  recently  to  Schenectady,  dies 
suddenly  there,  Dec.  4. 

Hon.  James  Russell  Parsons,  Jr.,  appointed  consul-general  to 
Mexico  by  President  Roosevelt,  following  long  service  as  sec- 
retary to  the  Board  of  Regents,  with  residence  at  No.  22  Elk 
street,  killed  in  a  collision  between  his  vehicle  and  train  at  the 
City  of  Mexico,  Dec.  5. 

Old  Guard  of  Co.  A  banquet  at  Fort  Orange  Club,  George  Has- 
well,  toastmaster,  Dec.  6. 

Rev.  Roelif  Hasbrouck  Brooks  of  Poughkeepsie  accepts  the  rector- 
ship of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Dec.  9. 

Edwin  H.  Anderson,  of  the  Carnegie  Library  at  Pittsburg,  ap- 
pointed State  Librarian   (director),  Dec.   15. 

Steamboat  C.  W.  Morse  leaves  on  last  trip  of  the  season,       Dec.  15. 

River  closed  to  navigation   (Government  record),  Dec.  15. 

Arthur  Strong,  who  had  accompanied  J.  C.  Hammond  to  the  west 
after  the  body  of  Hammond's  wife  was  found  in  a  trunk  at 
their  residence,  No.  42  South  Ferry  street,  on  Nov.  23rd,  ar- 
rives at  Albany  and  tells  of  their  adventures  on  the  Pacific 
coast,  Dec.  18. 

Frank  B.  Gilbert  appointed  State  Law  Librarian  by  Commissioner 
Draper,  Dec.  20. 

Rt.  Rev.  Mon'r  Francis  Maguire  dons  the  purple  robe  of  his  new 
office,  at  St.  Patrick's  Church,  Bishop  Burke  officiating, 

Dec.  21. 

Lester  W.  Bloch  appointed  United  States  commissioner,       Dec.  22. 

Suit  instituted  before  Justice  Hasbrouck  against  Ouayle  &  Son,  en- 
gravers, by  Brandow  Printing  Co.,  for  $100,000,         Dec.  23, 

John  L.  Godley  resigns  as  superintendent  of  Albany  Hospital,  which 
office  he  had  held  since  opening  of  new  building,         Dec.  24. 

Rumor  that  Miss  Elsie  Smith,  former  "  Queen  Titania  "  of  Hallow- 
e'en carnival,  had  been  sent  poisoned  candy,  Dec.  26. 

James  W.  Wadsworth  arrives  to  contest  with  Assemblyman  Edwin 
Merritt  the  appointment  of  speaker  of  Assembly,  eliciting  much 
speculation  because  of  the  alleged  split  in  Republican  party, 

Dec'  28. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  797 

1905. 

John  De  Peyster  Townsend,  who  had  conducted  a  drug  store  for 
more  than  a  score  of  years  at  s.  e.  corner  of  Eagle  street  and 
Maiden  Lane  (b.  Albany,  June  4,  1839),  the  son  of  John  Fonda 
Townsend  and  Catherine  Louisa  Douw,  dies  at  his  home,  same 
location,  Dec.  28. 

Charity  ball  held  at  Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  Dec.  29. 

Newton  B.  Vanderzee  appointed  surrogate  of  Albany  county, 

Dec.  30. 

•         •         • 
1906. 


Major  Charles  H.  Gaus  assumes  office  the  third  successive  time  as 
the  Mayor  of  Albany,  having  been  chosen  by  the  people  at  the 
Charter  election  held  on  Nov.  7,  1905,  when  a  majority  of 
8,536  votes  of  a  total  of  23,818  votes  were  cast  in  his  favor, 
and  he  was  declared  properly  elected  by  the  board  of  can- 
vassers, Jan.   I. 

The  body  of  Hon.  James  Russell  Parsons,  who  was  killed  on  Dec. 
5th,  last,  in  a  railway  accident  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  where 
he  was  the  U.  S.  consul-general,  having  previously  been  for 
some  years  the  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Regents,  arrives  at 
Albany  and  is  placed  in  the  Rural  Cemetery  vault,         Jan.   i. 

George  C.  Lee,  assistant  cashier  of  Albany  County  Bank  (b.  Al- 
bany), aged  42  years,  dies  suddenly  at  his  home,  No.  471  State 
street  leaving  a  number  of  liberal  charitable  bequests,     Jan.  i. 

Common  Council  convenes  at  noon  at  the  City  Hall,  President  Wil- 
liam F.  Burnham  in  the  chair,  and  the  board  listens  to  the 
message  of  Mayor  Gaus ;  electing  Frederick  U.  Bresler  clerk, 
and  Alderman  Rollin  B.  Sanford  chosen  Republican  party 
leader  at  the  caucus,  Jan.  2. 

Hon.  John  A.  McCall,  former  Albanian  and  State  superintendent, 
in  failing  health,  resigns  as  president  of  the  New  York  Life 
Lisurance  Co.,  which  he  had  made  through  his  energy  one  of 
the  greatest  business  institutions  in  the  United  States,      Jan.  3. 

Excitement  throughout  the  city  over  contest  for  speaker  of  Assem- 
bly, results  in  the  election  of  James  W.  Wadsworth.  Jr.,  follow- 
ing rumors  of  President  Roosevelt  exerting  his  influence  in 
State  politics,  Jan.  3. 

Funeral  of  Hon.  James  Russell  Parsons,  accidentally  killed  in 
Mexico,  Dec.  5,  1905,  conducted  by  Bishop  Doane  at  All  Saints' 
Cathedral,  Jan.  6. 


798  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1906. 

Rev.  Frederick  H.  Reynolds  assumes  rectorship  of  the  newly  organ- 
ized Reformed  Episcopal  Church  of  the  Atonement,  a  deflec- 
tion from  St.  Andrew's,  in  Cameron  Hall  on  Central  avenue, 

Jan.  7. 

Rev.  E.  R.  Allen  made  pastor  of  Hope  Baptist  Church,  Jan.  7. 

N.  Y.  State  Normal  College  destroyed  totally  by  one  of  the  most 
spectacular  conflagrations  in  years,  the  wind  spreading  the 
flames  rapidly  from  the  Willett  street  front  to  the  rear  near 
Lark  street,  part  of  the  residence  of  President  William  J.  Milne, 
in  southern  portion  of  the  building,  being  only  part  of  structure 
saved;  building  erected  in  1885;  Edward  Ogden  &  Son,  archi- 
tects; loss  over  $200,000,  insurance  about  $80,000;  started  at 
8:15  ]).  m.,  probably  caused  by  electric  light  wires,  and  burned 
until  forenoon  following  day,  witnessed  by  thousands  of  citi- 
zens, who  aided  in  removal  of  valuable  papers,  books  and 
pictures.  Jan.  8. 

Charles  J.  Buchanan  elected  president  of  Albany  County  Bar  Asso- 
ciation, Jan.  9. 

Second  Battalion  opens  poultry  show  at  the  armory,  Jan.  10. 

Daniel  G.  Curtis,  who  entered  the  employ  of  the  New  York  State 
National  Bank  on  April  9,  1853,  and  was  paying  teller  for  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  retiring  on  Thanksgiving  Day, 
1903,  with  a  present  of  $t,ooo  in  gold,  because  of  a  serious 
accident,  aged  69  years,  dies  at  the  home  of  his  son-in-law  at 
Cooperstown,  Jan.   10. 

Captain  George  W.  Oliver  of  the  Third  Police  Precinct  (b.  Bethle- 
hem, May  19,  1844),  dies,  Jan.  10. 

Thomas  H.  Craven,  supervisor  of  5th  ward  1871,  clerk  board  of 
supervisors  1 877-1 885,  city  marshal  June  i,  1886,  clerk  of 
Common  Council,  1889-1893,  aged  64,  dies  in  New  York  City, 

Jan.   15. 

Franchise  and  property  of  the  United  Traction  Co.  passes  to  the 
D.  &  H.  Railroad  valued  at  $7,500,000,  Jan.   15. 

N.  Y.  State  Ass'n  of  School  Commissioners  and  Superintendents 
holds  first  annual  meeting  at  Capitol,  addressed  by  Thomas  E. 
Finegan  of  State  Dep't  of  Education,  Jan.   15. 

Alumni  Ass'n  of  State  Normal  College  elects  officers,  choosing  John 
A.   Hill,   Schenectady,   president,  Jan.    15. 

Mrs.  A.  H.  Noble,  mother-in-law  of  Governor  Higgins,  dies  at  his 
Olean  home,  and  he  departs  for  there,  abandoning  public  recep- 
tion, Jan.  16. 

State  Bar  Association  addressed  in  Assembly  Chamber  by  Hon. 
Charles  E.   Littlefield,  congressman  of  Maine,  Jan.    16. 


No.  62.  CIIARLKS  IIKXRV  (iAl'S.  JCf) 

1906. 

Sons  of  Heldcrbero-  \\\ir  annual  banquet.  F.  F.  Crannell,  Jr..  toast- 
master.  Jan.   17. 

Capt.  Frank  DeWitt  Ramsey,  U.  S.  A.,  who  was  highly  commended 
for  his  efficiency  in  forwarding  stores  from  Florida  to  the 
troops  in  Cuba  during  the  Spanish-American  war  and  who  set 
an  example  for  executive  ability,  precision  and  efficiency  in 
supplying  American  troops  during  the  "  Boxer  ""  troubles  in 
China,  superior  management  to  that  of  any  of  the  other  armies 
forcing  the  relief  of  the  besieged  at  the  legations  at  Pekin,  a 
graduate  of  the  Albany  Academy  and  of  West  Point  on  June 
14,  1885,  dies  at  Washington,  D.  C,  Jan.   18. 

Burns  Club's  annual  meeting-,  electing  Chas.  H.  Turner  president, 

Jan.  18. 

Lumber-yard  of  F.  F.  Crannell,  Jr..  North  Ferry  and  Lawrence 
streets,  burned  at  9  p.  m.,  wnth  loss  of  about  $40,000,     Jan.  20. 

Hon.  Franklin  AI.  Danaher.  attorney,  elected  vice-president  of 
American-Irish  Flistorical  Society,  Jan.  21. 

Rev.  James  N.  Knipe  assumes  charge  of  Park  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  s.  e.  corner  Western  and  Lake  avenues,  Jan.  21. 

Capt.  Frank  DeWitt  Ramsey's  body  arrives  at  2:30  a.  m.,  from 
Washington,  with  family  and  Major  Francis  H.  Schoefifel, 
U.  S.  A.,  and  accompanied  by  former  Albany  friends  is  taken 
to  Cobleskill  for  burial,  Jan.  22. 

Laiconditional  Republican  Club  sells  its  house,  No.  46  Beaver  street, 

Jan.  23. 

Robert  R.  Topping,  formerly  with  the  Albany  Brewing  Co..  dies  at 
Amsterdam   (burial  in  Rural  Cemetery),  his  previous  home, 

Jan.  22. 

Dr.  Mary  Walker,  in  customary  male  attire  throughout,  addresses 
Assembly  Codes  committee  in  favor  of  Eagleton  bill  abolishing 
capital  punishment,  Jan.  24. 

State  Superintendent  of  Public  Works  Franchot  calls  attention  in 
report  to  Legislature  that  Alljany  needs  a  system  of  sewage 
disposal,  Jan.  24. 

Chamber  of  Commerce  annual  banquet  at  Hotel  Ten  Eyck,  James 
F.  McElroy,  president ;  William  H.  AIcElroy  of  New  York 
(  former    Albanian  ) ,    toastmaster.  Jan.    2y. 

Towboat  George  B.  Cooley  succeeds  in  arriving  from  New  York, 

Jan.  28. 

Ex-President  Grover  Cleveland  and  wife  (Frances  Folsom )  arrive 
and  are  guests  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  B.  Ward  at  No.  281 
State  street,  Jan.  29. 


800  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1906. 

Edward  Sayles,  who  organized  a  company  of  volunteers  during 
Civil  War  (b.  Albany,  Oct.  30,  1847,  ^^^  graduate  of  Albany 
Academy),  dies  here,  .  Jan.  29. 

Ex-President  Cleveland  addresses  Legislature  in  Assembly  Cham- 
ber at  noon,  and  the  State  Medical  Society  in  Emmanuel  Bap- 
tist Church  in  evening,  also  attending  dinner  given  by  Mrs. 
Daniel  Manning  at  her  home,  No.   153  Washington  avenue, 

Jan.  30. 

Hyacinths  in  bloom,  because  of  the  warm,  unseasonable  weather,  in 
yard  of  Albert  Burgess,  No.  642  Central  avenue,  Jan.  30. 

Mme.  Sarah  Bernhardt,  leading  French  actress,  in  "  Camille  "  and 
"  La  Sorciere  "  at  Harmanus  Bleecker  Hall,  Feb.  5. 

J.  G.  Myers  Co.  commences  building  foundations  of  the  new  dry 
goods  store  at  same  site  as  the  previous  one,  Nos.  39-41  North 
Pearl  street,  Trowbridge  &  Livingston,  architects,     February. 

F.  Hopkinson  Smith,  author,  speaks  on  "  Plantation  Days  "  at  The 
Albany  Institute  to  a  crowded  assembly-room,  Feb.  8. 

Albany  Hospital  elects  J.  Townsend  Lansing  president,        Feb.  11. 

Leonard  Kip,  author  of  ten  or  more  novels  written  with  greatest 
delicacy  of  thought  and  language,  principal  among  them  "  The 
Dead  Marquise,"  Putnam,  1873 ;  attorney  with  office  former 
years  in  Tweddle  building,  graduate  of  Trinity  College,  presi- 
dent of  The  Albany  Institute  several  years,  and  at  time  of 
death  president  of  Albany  Academy  trustees  (b.  New  York 
City,  Sept.  13,  1826,  son  of  Leonard  and  Maria  Ingraham  Kip), 
a  "  Forty-niner  "  from  Albany  to  California  gold  fields  then 
booming,  dies  at  his  home,  No.  20  Elk  street,  Feb.  13. 

Frank  Lasch,  police  headquarters  sergeant,  promoted  grade  of  cap- 
tain, P"eb.   14. 

Alfred  Booth,  known  as  "  Angel,"  veteran  doorkeeper  at  Central 
Railroad  station  for  15  years,  dies  of  heart  failure,       Feb.  15. 

George  I.  Amsdell,  head  of  Amsdell  Brewing  Co.  (b.  Kinderhook, 
Sept.  3,  1827),  dies  at  his  home,  No.  141  Washington  avenue, 

Feb.  17. 

Hon.  John  A.  McCall,  born  at  Albany  on  March  2,  1849,  made 
State  superintendent  of  insurance  on  April  23,  18S3,  resigning 
to  become  comptroller  of  the  Equitable  Life  Insurance  Co.  on 
Jan.  I,  1886,  and  becoming  president  of  the  N.  Y.  Life  Insur- 
ance Co.  on  Feb.  12,  1892,  a  resident  of  New  York  City,  with 
new  summer  place,  "  Shadow  Lawn,"  at  Long  Branch,  N.  J., 
dies  after  a  serious  illness  of  three  months,  at  the  Laurel 
House,  Lakewood,  N.  J.,  Feb.  18. 

Funeral  of  the  late  Hon.  John  Augustine  McCall  at  Church  of  the 
Blessed  Sacrament,  Bishop  Thomas  M.  A.  Burke  of  Albany, 


No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  80I 

1906. 

officiating,  following  a  brief  service  at  his  home.   No.  54  W. 
72nd  street,  and  burial  at  Chestnut  Hill,  Woodlawn  Cemetery, 

Feb.  21. 

Mohawk  river  ice  breaks  up  and  passes  down  before  the  city, 

Feb.  22. 

Parade  of  Co.  B,  "  Washington  Continentals,"  and  banquet,  Feb.  22. 

Charles  E.  Leland,  former  proprietor  of  Delavan  House,  after  whom 
theatre  on  South  Pearl  street  named,  dies,  Feb.  27. 

Chester  F.  Dearstyne,  tobacco  dealer,  made  superintendent  Albany 
County  Penitentiary  in  1896  (b.  Berne,  July  22,  1851),  dies, 

March  7. 

Charles  Hitte,  local  welterweight  of  some  note,  wins  on  foul  from 
Matty  Mathews  at  a  Troy  road  resort,  12  rounds,       March  7. 

Fort  Orange  Club  elects  Charles  L.  Pruyn  its  president,  March  10. 

Hiram  J.  Rockwell,  proprietor  of  Hotel  Ten  Eyck,  former  proprie- 
tor of  Hotel  Kenmore  and  of  Wayside  Inn  at  Lake  Luzerne 
(b.  Luzerne,  1834),  dies  in  his  apartments  in  Hotel  Ten  Eyck, 

March  10. 

William  Lane,  owner  of  a  string  of  fast  horses,  dies,  March. 

Judge  Andrew  Hamilton  delivers  a  forceful  philippic  before  the 
Armstrong  insurance  investigating  committee  in  Assembly 
Chamber,  March  15. 

Dr.  Samuel  H.  Freeman,  practicing  here  more  than  half  a  century, 
president  board  of  curators  of  Albany  Medical  College,  dies 
at  his  home,  n.  w.  corner  Columbia  and  Chapel  streets, 

March    15. 

Herman  W.  Vanderpoel,  son  of  the  late  Dr.  Samuel  Oakley  Vander- 
poel,  graduate  of  Albany  Academy  in  1873 ;  Rutgers,  1877, 
dies  at  Boston,  March  16 

Irish  societies  go  to  Cohoes  to  parade,  March  17 

Steamer  C.  W.  Morse  leaves  New  York  on  first  trip  of  season, 

March  22 

River  open  to  navigation  (Government  record).  March  23 

Oliver  A.  Ouayle  elected  president  of  N.  Y.  State  Automobile  As- 
sociation, March  24 

Mrs.  Bridget  Coleman,  widow  of  John  Coleman,  oldest  woman  in 
city,  aged  105  years  and  11  months  (b.  Westmeath,  Ire.,  April 
1800),  dies  at  her  home.  No.  31  Spruce  street,  March  25 

Lewis  E.  Carr,  the  orator  at  the  Speaker  Samuel  Frederick  Nixon 
memorial  exercises  in  the  Assembly  Chamber,  March  27. 

Judge  Andrew  Hamilton  re-elected  president  of  the  Albany  Club 
and  presented  with  a  silver  loving-cup  by  his  club  friends, 

March  29. 


802  CHARLES  HENRY  GAL'S.  No.  62. 

1906. 

Isaac  J.  Hungerford  dies  at  home,  No.  324  Hudson  avenue,  aged 
4],  March  30. 

Col.  Freeman  Connor,  one  of  the  original  Zouaves  under  Colonel 
£llsvv-orth,  enrolled  in  44th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  Aug.  8,  1861,  mustered 
as  captain  of  Co.  D,  Sept.  3,  1861,  dies  at  Valparaiso,  Ind., 

March. 

Old  Lumber  District  firm  of  Douglas  L.  White  &  Co.  dissolved, 

March  31. 

Steamboat  Hendrick  Hudson,  Hudson  River  Day  Line,  launched  at 
Newburgh,  March  31. 

Robins  in  Washington  Park,  but  lake  ice  solid,  April  3. 

Ice  out  of  lake  in  Washington  Park,  April  6. 

Mrs.  Oralie  Bartlett  Ditson.  widow  of  George  Leighton  Ditson, 
(mother  of  late  Lina  Bartlett  Ditson,  Albany  author  of  three 
historical  novels)   dies  at  her  home.  No.  259  State  street, 

April  7. 

Leonard  Gansevoort  Ten  Eyck,  head  of  the  insurance  underwriting 
firm  of  Ten  Eyck  &  Lansing  at  No.  48  State  street  (b.  Albany, 
1838),  graduate  of  Albany  Academy,  with  summer  residence 
at  Castleton,  dies  suddenly  at  his  home.  No.  9  South  Hawk 
street,  April  8. 

Heavy  snow  all  day,  latest  spring  snow  of  the  season,         April  9. 

Albany  College  of  Pharmacy  commencement,  April  10. 

Albany  Academy  Cadets  guidon  drill  at  armory,  Co.  C,  under  Capt. 
William  Herrick,  awarded  guidons  by  Adj. -Gen.  Nelson  H. 
Henry,  April  11. 

King  Fountain  winter  covering  removed,  April   11. 

Governor  Higgins  signs  bill  (Good  Friday)  of  Senator  Mead,  in- 
corporating the  William  Croswell  Doane  Fund  for  Christian 
Work,  April  13. 

Mayor  Gaus  orders  removal  of  the  brass  inlaid  in  the  marble  of  the 
meridian  line,  some  forty  feet  in  length,  laid  down  by  Mayor 
Thacher  touching  the  southwest  corner  of  the  City  Hall,  be- 
cause of  numerous  accidents  caused  by  it  in  winter,  resulting 
in  suits  against  the  city,  April  13. 

William  J.  Weaver,  real  estate  agent,  elected  supervisor,  1868- 
187 1,  appointed  city  assessor  by  Mayor  Thacher  and  holding 
the  position  until  1900  (b.  Coeymans,  Jan.  27,  1835),  dies  at 
his  home,  No.  121  Hamilton  street,  of  heart  trouble,      April  14. 

Flenry  C.  Littlefield  elected  president  of  University  Club,    April  14. 

Easter,  rain  all  day  creating  a  4-ft.  freshet  in  river,  so  that  steam- 
boat Morse  takes  on  passengers  at  Gansevoort  street,  April  15. 

Memorial  windows  unveiled  at  special  Easter  service  of  music  and 
eulogy  in  memory  of  Rev.  Edward  Griffin  Selden,  pastor  of 


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No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  803 

1906. 

Madison  Avenue  Protestant  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  1893  to 
1904  (b.  June  9,  1847,  died  at  Saratoga,  June  2,  1904),  Rev. 
Joseph  A.  Jones  speaking  of  his  hfe  and  ministry,       April  15. 

New  steamboat  of  Hudson  River  Day  Line,  Henry  Hudson,  taken 
in  tow  at  Newburgh  by  the  Cornell  Line,  to  the  C.  W.  Fletcher 
Co.,  Hoboken,  to  have  engines  installed,  April  15. 

Joel  Rathbone  Ransom,  formerly  of  Albany,  eldest  son  of  late 
Samuel  H.  Ransom,  stove  manufacturer,  dies  at  Elizabeth, 
N.  J.,  April  15. 

Adj. -Gen.  N.  H.  Henry  reviews  F.  R.  Palmer  United  Spanish- 
American  War  Veterans  at  the  armory,  April  16. 

Water  high  in  river,  submerging  wheels  of  West  Shore  trains, 

April  16. 

The  James  B.  Lyon  Co.,  largest  printing  firm  in  the  city,  astonishes 
people  by  blowing  whistle  loudly  at  11  a.  m.,  as  announcement 
of  completion  in  entirety  of  the  printing  in  eight  days,  by  three 
shifts,  of  the  seven  large  volumes  containing  report  of  the 
Armstrong  Legislative  committee  investigating  insurance  com- 
panies, comprising  7,000  pages,  being  over  12,000,000  ems  in 
8  working  days,  April   16. 

Superintendent  of  Schools  Charles  W.  Cole  recommends  a  second 
High  School,  to  be  located  in  western  part  of  city  because  pres- 
ent building  on  Eagle  street  seats  719.  with  981  students  at- 
tending and  an  average  daily  attendance  of  883  pupils, 

April  16. 

Master  Plumbers'  Association  yields  to  demands  of  Plumbers' 
Union  No.  7,  ending  a  serious  strike  of  two  weeks'  duration, 

April  17. 

Latest  killing  frost  of  the  season,  April   17. 

Earthquake  disaster  at  San  Francisco  of  great  seriousness,  a  score 
of  Albanians  present,  and  relief  fund  is  started  here  at  once, 

April  18. 

Report  that  Robert  P.  Murphy,  formerly  hotel-keeper  of  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  of  recent  years  proprietor  of  the  Kenmore 
("  New  "),  disposes  of  this  hotel  to  J.  A.  Oakes  of  Buffalo  for 
about  $117,000,  April    19. 

Chamber  of  Commerce  seriously  discusses  establishment  of  a  new 
freight  line  by  river  to  New  York  because  of  the  alleged  high 
rates,  April  20. 

Albany  Baseball  team  starts  spring  tour  at  Toronto,  Canada, 

April  21. 

Mayor  Gaus  transmits  $10,000,  subscribed  by  citizens  for  relief  of 
San  Francisco  earthquake  sufferers,  April  23. 


8o4  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 


1906. 


Severe  killing  frost  at  night,  this  also  being  the  average  date  for 
latest  killing  frost  for  30  years,  '  April  24. 

Public  Market  locations  sold  to  farmers  for  the  year,  bringing  a 
total  of  $1,370,  at  auction,  April  24. 

Dr.  Albert  Vander  Veer's  nomination  as  a  Regent  confirmed  by 
both  houses  of  the  Legislature,  April  2b. 

Mayor  Gaus  transmits  $5,000  raised  by  citizens,  as  first  contribution 
to  relief  of  San  Francisco  earthquake  sufferers,  April  2b. 

Albany  Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society,  being  in  need  of 
larger  building  and  having  a  fund  of  $60,000,  raised  in  $1,000 
gifts,  accepts  the  plans  of  Fuller  &  Pitcher  for  new  building  to 
be  built  on  north  side  of  Washington  avenue,  east  of  Dove 
street,  April  27. 

Henry  E.  Hawley,  general  manager  of  Hudson  River  Telephone 
Co.,  a  prominent  member  of  Masonic  bodies  and  popular  mem- 
ber of  Albany  Club,  dies,  April  27. 

The  Albany  fund  for  San  Francisco  earthquake  sufferers  reaches 
$17,524,  April  28. 

Open  motor  cars  put  on  for  this  day  only,  April  29. 

Rev.  F.  A.  Line  installed  at  All  Souls'  Universalist  Church, 

April  29. 

Senate  in  session  until  2  a.  m.  on  mortgage  tax  bill  because  of  dead- 
lock. '  May  2. 

Legislature  adjourns,  May  3. 

Arbor  Day  celebrated,  with  fair  weather,  school  exercises.  May  4. 

John  G.  ]\Iills,  son  of  Charles  D.  Mills,  lover  of  horses,  coin  col- 
lector, pigeon  fancier,  dies  at  his  home.  No.  921  Madison 
avenue.  May  7. 

Albany  Baseball  team  opens  season  at  Syracuse,  Charles  M.  Win- 
chester, Jr.,  manager.  May  10. 

Joseph  A.  Lansing,  former  banker  ( pres.  Albany  Exchange  Savings 
Bank),  dies  at  home  in  Menands,  aged  78,  May  11. 

John  Flungerford  dies  at  his  home.  No.  338  FLudson  avenue, 

May   13. 

Albany  Institute  and  Historical  and  Art  Society  holds  its  annual 
meeting  at  its  building.  No.  176  State  street,  electing  James 
Ten  Eyck  president  a  second  time.  May  14. 

State  contracts  let  amounting  to  about  $3,000,000  for  work  on 
barge  canal  near  this  citv  (Waterford,  Scotia  and  Rotterdam). 

May  14! 

Reported  tbat  Robert  P.  Murphy  pays  $150,000  to  the  Mac  Naugh- 
ton  estate  for  the  New  Kenmore  hotel  property  on  North  Pearl 
street,  Alay  14. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  HEXRY  GAUS.  805 

1906. 

Steamer  Xcw  York  arrives,  inaugurating^-  day  line  season,     May  15. 

Open  cars  put  on  street  lines  for  season.  May  15. 

Col.  Charles  E.  Davis  leaves  the  armory  with  the  Second  Battalion 
for  scene  of  strike  at  Sutton  &  Sudderly's  brickyards  at  Coey- 
mans,  where  one  of  the  employees  had  been  shot  and  brought 
to  Albany  Hospital,  and  at  9:53  p.  m.  Lieutenant  Denn  takes 
members  not  arrived  in  time  to  go  with  Battalion,       May  16. 

Dr.  Henry  Hun  elected  secretary  of  Association  of  American  Phy- 
sicians, convening'  at  Washington,  D.  C,  May  16. 

Troop  B  leaves  on  horseback  for  scene  of  strike  at  Coeymans,  4:30 
p.  m..  May  18. 

Second  P)attalion  returns  by  boat  and  Troop  B  by  river  road  on 
horseback,  from  scene  of  the  brickyard  strike  at  Sutton  &  Sud- 
derly's plant  at  Coeymans,  differences  being  settled  by  arbitra- 
tion in  the  face  of  the   State  militia.  May  21. 

First  engine  runs  into  the  Lumber  District,  May  23. 

Schuyler  Egerton,  son  of  Superintendent  of  Parks  Wm.  S.  Eger- 
ton,  dies,  May  26. 

Lnited  Traction  Co.  has  record  in  passenger  traffic,  Decoration 
Day,  carrying  175,080  passengers;  receipts,  $7,929.76,  May  30. 

Law  School  commencement.  Gen.  A.  J.  Parker  presiding,     Alay  31. 

Dr.  Simon  F.  Cox,  of  Boston,  appointed  superintendent  of  Albany 
Hospital,  succeeding  John  L.  Godley  (who  resigned  Dec.  24th, 
the  first  to  hold  the  office  in  the  new  building  on  New  Scot- 
land avenue),  June  i. 

Young  baseball  players  arrested  in  Beaver  Park  at  behest  of  a  few 
of  the  city  clergy,  Fourth  Presbyterian  Church  in  particular, 
for  playing  ball  on  Sunday,  June  3. 

Death  of  Cornelia  LIubbard,  wife  of  Oscar  L.  Hascy,  retired  lumber 
merchant,  and  mother  of  Mrs.  Horace  G.  Young,  a  woman 
whose  life  was  devoted  to  her  home  and  relief  of  the  unfortu- 
nate, at  lier  residence.  No.  2  Englewood  Place,  June  3. 

Barnum  &  Bailey  circus.  No.  Albany  grounds ;  downpour,     June  5. 

William  A.  Humphrey,  chief  detective  of  N.  Y.  Central  road,  with 
office  in  this  city,  elected  president  of  Ass'n  of  Railway  Police 
of  the  L^.  S.  and  Canada  Secret  Service,  convening  at  Wash- 
ington, June  6. 

William  Stetson  Corliss,  who  after  graduating  at  Albany  Academy 
in  1888,  became  an  amateur  actor  and  develo])ed  into  a  come- 
dian of  prominence,  playing  first  with  the  amateurs  locallv  in 
"  The  Buccaneers  "  and  "  Peter  Stuyvesant ;"  then  with  De 
Koven  &  Smith  in  "  The  Highwayman ;"  afterwards  with 
Frank  Daniels,  appearing  in  leading  role  in  his  popular  comic 


8o6  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 

1906. 

operas  as  understudy,  while  in  New  York  preparing  for  lead- 
ing role  in  "  The  Student  King,"  dies  there  suddenly,     June  6. 

Judge  Gregory  discharges  the  Sunday  amateur  baseball  players, 
who  were  arrested  as  a  test  case  at  Beaver  Park  ball  grounds 
previous  Sunday,  June  7. 

Mayor  Gaus  signs  ordinance  for  paving  with  macadam  Western 
avenue  from  termination  of  present  pavement  to  the  city  line, 

June  7. 

Rev.  Edward  P.  Johnson  of  First  Reformed  Dutch  Church  accepts 
the  chair  of  church  history  at  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary, 

June  9. 

Judge  John  J.  Brady  discharges  Sunday  amateur  ball  players, 

June  II. 

Albany  Academy,  93rd  commencement,  Theodore  D.  Walser  vale- 
dictorian, June   14. 

Sunday  baseball  by  amateurs  in  city  parks  resumed  without  inter- 
ference by  the  police,  following  Judge  Gregory's  decision, 

June   17. 

William  A.  Rice  (father  of  Col.  William  G.  Rice)  formerly  of  the 
A.  McClure  &  Co.  drug  firm,  and  chairman  Albany  County 
Democratic  Committee,  (b.  March  18,  1820),  dies  at  his  home, 
Worthington,  Mass.,  June  17. 

Local  automobile  club  starts  on  tour  to  Boston  via  Vermont, 

June  21. 

Superintendent  William  J.  Wallace  of  the  Albany  Orphan  Asylum, 
dies  there,  June  22. 

Rev.  Thos.  S.  Robjent  resigns  as  pastor  Unitarian  Church,  June  24. 

The  extensive  collection  of  fossils  and  minerals  made  by  the  late 
Prof.  James  Hall,  head  of  the  N.  Y.  State  Museum  and  paleon- 
tologist of  widest  note  (decorated  by  almost  every  country 
with  honors)  sold  to  agent  of  John  D.  Recke feller  for  the  Uni- 
versity of  Chicago,  at  the  rumored  sum  of  $30,000,  July  2. 

Mrs.  Harriette  Delavan,  wife  of  John  W.  McHarg  and  daughter 
of  the  late  Edward  C.  Delavan  (owner  of  Delavan  House  on 
Broadway),  dies  at  her  home.  No.  23  Elk  St.,  July  4. 

Independence  Day  parade  by  military  bodies,  exercises  attended 
by  the  orphans  in  Washington  Park,  and  fireworks  in  evening 
at  Beaver  Park,  July  4. 

Maj.  William  Henry  Paddock,  many  years  connected  with  the 
stafif  of  the  Albany  Evening  Journal,  and  establishing  repu- 
tation writing  "  The  Vagrant  "  humorous  sketches,  a  popular 
member  of  Albany  Burgesses'  Corps  and  of  the  Albany  Press 
Club,  dies  at  his  home.  No.   107  Lark  St.,  July  6. 


No.  62.  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  807 

1906. 

Charles  Lansing  Prnyn.  president  of  the  Albany  Embossing  Co. 
on  Pruyn  street,  of  the  Albany  Forge  Co.,  and  of  the  Fort 
Orange  Club,  a  trustee  of  a  nmnber  of  educational,  art  and  bus- 
iness organizations,  the  son  of  U.  S.  Minister  to  Japan  Robert 
Hewson  Pruyn,  born  at  Albany  Dec.  2,  1852,  graduate  of  Albany 
Academy  and  of  Rutgers  College  in  1871,  with  residence  at 
No.  I  Park  Place,  facing  on  Academy  Park,  dies  after  brief 
illness  at  his  summer  home  at  Altamont,  July  7. 

Mayor  Gaus  writes  official  letter  to  Gov.  Higgins  voicing  the  senti- 
ments of  citizens  that  the  State  in  considering  a  site  for  the 
proposed  new  library  and  museum  building  allow  the  Albany 
Academy  to  remain  and  suggesting  the  block  bounded  by 
Washington  avenue.  Hawk,  and  Lafayette  streets  and  Park 
Place,  as  the  one  preferred  by  citizens  to  be  so  used,      July  11. 

Races  for  the  season  inaugurated  at  Woodlawn  Park  south  of 
New  Scotland  road,  July  ii. 

State  Engineer  Van  Alstyne  submits  plans  affecting  neighborhood 
of  Albany  in  construction  of  the  barge  canal,  Contract  No.  14, 
proposing  a  dam  at  Crescent  1,200  feet  long,  28  feet  high, 
costing  about  $1,100,000,  to  flood  3,000  acres  as  a  lake  by  back- 
ing up  the  Mohawk  for  10  miles  to  Visscher's  Ferry;  it  being 
intended  to  extend  the  Loudon  Road  thereto,  July  11. 

Electric  trolley  line  to  Altamont  discussed,  July   15. 

Rev.  Edwin  F.  See,  pastor  of  Third  Reformed  Dutch  Church  1883- 
1886,  then  for  20  years  the  general  secretary  of  the  Brooklyn 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  over  its  15  branches,  (b.  Tarrytown,  educated  at 
Rutgers  College  and  seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.)  aged 
46  years,  dies  at  Northport,  N.  Y.,  July  18. 

Albany  &  Hudson  electric  road  plans  to  double-track  to  Kinder- 
hook  to  avoid  dangerous  switches,  July   19. 

Mary  Elizabeth  Manning,  daughter  of  the  late  Daniel  Manning 
(secretary  of  treasury  under  Cleveland  and  previously  editor 
of  the  Argus)  and  wife  of  Jules  Von  der  Oudermeulen,  of 
Holland,  dies  in  New  York  city,  July  20. 

Mrs.  ]\Iary  A.  Low,  widow  of  Edwin  Dean  Worcester  (to  whom 
extensive  credit  is  due  for  the  executive  work  of  combining 
the  original  railroads  from  New  York  city  across  the  state  into 
one  road,  and  secretary  of  the  N.  Y.  Central  &  Hudson  River 
railroad  for  a  long  period),  aged  66,  dies  at  Stonington,  Conn., 
(burial  in  Rural  Cemetery),  July    20. 

Natural  gas  well  discovered  on  James  Hilton's  farm  near  Voor- 
heesville,  while  boring  150  feet,  throws  stone  and  earth  200 
feet  into  the  air,  July  20. 


8o8  CHARLES  HENRY  GAUS.  No.  62. 


1906. 


Fifth  U.  S.  Infantry  from  Plattsburg  barracks  encamps  on  its 
march  to  Mt.  Gretna,  Pa.,  at  Stuyvesant  Falls.  J^ily  22. 

Two  Hundred  and  Twentieth  Anniversary  of  Albany  as  a  city, 

July  22. 

Death  of  Dexter  Reynolds,  at  his  home,  No.  98  Columbia  street; 
well-known  attorney  and  inventor;  born  Dec.  22,  1828,  (only 
son  of  the  late  Alarcus  T.  Reynolds  and  Elizabeth  Ann  Dexter) 
eighth  in  descent  from  John  Reynolds  Avho  came  to  America  in 
1634  and  settled  at  Watertown,  Mass. ;  Sigma  Phi  and  Latin 
salutatorian.  Union  College,  1848,  Harvard  Scientific  School 
and  Harvard  Law  School,  1850;  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Albany, 
Dec.  2.  185 1  ;  author  of  an  authoritative  legal  work  on  life 
insurance,    1853,  Aug.    19. 


'■  /  cnz'y  not  the  man  n'liosc  honest  glance 
Takes  in  our  past  —  z^'ar,  business  or  romance  — 
Our  martial  annals,    or  the  large  display 
Of  genius,  beauty,    serious  life  or  gay, 
Who  cannot  recognise  all  through  our  story, 
Our  genuine  claim  to    real  substa}itial  glory." 

Bi-Centennial  Ode,   1886. 

\VM.  D.  MORAXGE. 


^a^ors^  Successive  Serins. 


(x\ppointed  by  Governor.) 

1st.  Pieter  Schuyler;  July  22,  1686  —  Oct.  13,  1694. 

2ncl.  Johannes  Abeel ;  Oct.   14,  1694  —  Oct.  14,   1695. 

3rd.  Evert  Bancker;  Oct.  15,  1695  —  Sept.  28,  1696. 

4th.  Dirck  Wesselse  ten  Broeck;  Sept  29,  1696  —  Oct.  13.  1698. 

5th.  Hendrick  Hansen;  Oct.   14,   1698 —  1699. 

6th.  Pieter  Van  Brugh  (Verbrugge)  ;  1699 —  1700. 

7th.  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker ;  — Nov.  5,  1701. 

8th.  Johannes  Bleecker,  Jun. ;  Nov.  6,   1701 —  1702. 

9th.  Albert  Janse  Ryckman  ;  1702- — Oct.  25,  1703. 

loth.  Johannes  Schuyler;  Oct.  26,  1703  —  Nov.  10,  1706. 

nth.  David  Davidse  Schuyler;  Nov.  it,  1706  —  Oct.  31.  1707. 

3rd.  Evert  Bancker;  Nov.  i,  1707  —  Oct.  22,  1708. 

3rd.  Evert  Bancker;  Oct.  23,  1708  —  Nov.  28,  1709. 

2nd.  Johannes  Abeel;  Nov.  29,  1709  —  Nov.  23,   1710. 

I2th.  Robert  Livingston,  Jun. ;  Nov.  24,  1710 —  ^7^9- 

13th.  Myndert  Schuyler;  1719 — Nov  8.  1720. 

6th.  Pieter  Van  Brugh  (\"erbrugge)  ;  Nov.  9,  1720 —  '^723- 

13th.  Myndert  Schuyler;  1723  —  Oct.   13,  1725. 

T4th.  Johannes  Cuyler  ;  Oct.  14,  1725  —  Nov.  7,  1726. 

15th.  Rutger  Bleecker;  Nov.  8,  1726  —  Nov.  10,  1729. 

i6th.  Johannes  De  Peyster  ;  Nov.  11,  1729  —  Oct.  13,  1731. 

T7th.  Johannes  ("Hans")  Hansen;  Oct.  14,  1731 — Oct.  22,  1732. 

i6th.  Johannes  De  Peyster;  Oct.  23,  1732  —  Oct.  2^,  1733. 

i8th.  Edward  Holland;  Oct.  24,  1733  —  Oct.  30.   1740. 

roth.  Johannes  Schuyler.  Jun.;  Oct.  31,  1740  —  Nov.  22.  1741. 

i6th.  Johannes  De  Peyster;  Nov.  23,  1741 — Oct.  13.  1742. 

20th.  Cornelis  Cuyler;  Oct.   14,   1742 — Sept.  28,   1746. 

2ist.  Dirck  Ten  Broeck;  .Sept.  29,  1746  —  Oct.  13,  1747. 

2ist.  Dirck  Ten  Broeck;  Oct.  14,  1747  —  Oct.  13,  1748. 

22nd.  Jacob  Coenraedt  Ten  Eyck;  Oct.  14.  1748  —  Oct.  14,   1750. 

23rd.  Robert  Sanders;  Oct.   15.   1750 —  ^754. 

T7th.  Johannes   C'Hans")   Hansen;  1754 —  T756. 

24th.  Sybrant    Gozen    (or    Goosen)    \an    Schaick ;     1756  —  .^e]:)t. 

28,   176T. 

25th.  A'olckert  Petrus  Douw ;  Sept.  29,  1761  —  Sept.  9.  1770. 

26th.  Abraham  Cornelis  Cuyler;  Sept.  10,  1770  —  April  16.  1778. 


8io  mayors'  successive  terms. 

(Elected  by  Board  of  Aldermen.) 

27th.  John  Barclay;  April   17,  1778  —  April  8,   1779. 

28th.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck;  April  9,  1779  —  June  26,   1783. 

29th.  Johannes  Jacobse  Beeckman;  June  27,  1783  —  Oct.  8,  1786. 

30th.  John  Lansing- (Lansingh),Jun. ;  Oct.  9,  1786 — Oct.  18,  1790. 

31st.  Abraham  Yates,  Jun. ;  Oct.   19,  1790  —  Oct.  14,  1796. 

28th.  Abraham  Ten  Broeck;  Oct.  15,   1796  —  Dec.  31,  1798. 

32nd.  Philip  Schuyler  Van  Rensselaer;  Jan.  i,  1799  —  J^^Y  7j  1816. 

33rd.  Elisha  Jenkins;  July  8,   1816  —  July  2,  1819. 

32nd.  Philip  Schuyler  Van  Rensselaer;  July  3,  1819 — Feb.  18,1821. 

34th.  Charles  Edward  Dudley;  Feb.  19,  1821 — Feb.  15,  1822. 

34th.  Charles  Edward  Dudley;  Feb.   16,   1822  —  Feb.   19,  1823. 

34th.  Charles  Edward  Dudley;  Feb.  20,  1823  —  March  9,  1824. 

35th.  Ambrose  Spencer;  March  10,  1824  —  Dec.  31,  1824. 

35th.  Ambrose  Spencer;  Jan.  i,  1825  —  Jan.  i,  1826. 

36th.  James  Stevenson;  Jan.  2,  1826  —  Dec.  31,  1826. 

36th.  James   Stevenson;  Jan.   i,   1827  —  May  23,   1828. 

34th.  Charles  Edward  Dudley;  May  29,   1828  —  Dec.  31,  1828. 

34th.  Charles  Edward  Dudley;  Jan.  i,  1829  —  Jan.  19.  1829. 

37th.  John  Townsend  ;  Feb.  9,  1829  —  Dec.  31,  1829. 

37th.  John  Townsend;  Jan.  i,  1830  —  Dec.  31,  1830. 

38th.  Francis  Bloodgood  ;  Jan.  i,   1831  —  Dec.  31,  1831. 

37th.  John  Townsend;  Jan.  i,  1832  —  Dec.  31,  1832. 

38th.  Francis  Bloodgood  ;  Jan.  i,  1833  —  Dec.  31,  1833. 

39th.  Erastus  Corning;  Jan.  i,   1834  —  Dec.  31,  1834. 

39th.  Erastus  Corning;  Jan.  i,  1835  —  Dec.  31,  1835. 

39th.  Erastus  Corning;  Jan.   i,   1836  —  Jan.   i,  1837. 

39th.  Erastus  Corning;  Jan.  2,  1837  —  May  14,  1837. 

40th.  Teunis  Van  Vechten  ;  May  15,  1837  —  Dec.  31,  1837. 

40th.  Teunis  Van  Vechten;  Jan.  i,  1838  —  Dec.  31,  1838. 

40th.  Teunis  Van  Vechten;  Jan.  i,  1839  —  J^'^'-  21,  1839. 

41st.  Jared  Lewis  Rathbone  ;  Jan.  24,  1839  —  Dec.  31,  1839. 


C Elected  by  Vote  of  the  People.) 

41st.  Jared  Lewis  Rathbone;  Jan.  i,  1840  —  May  11,  1840. 

41st.  Jared  Lewis  Rathbone;  May  12,  1840  —  May  10,  1841. 

40th.  Teunis  Van  Vechten;  May  11,  1841  —  May  9,  1842. 

42nd.  Barent  Philip  Staats ;  May  10,  1842  —  April  17,  1843. 

43rd.  Friend  Humphrey;  April  18,  1843  —  April  15,  1844. 

43rd.  Friend  Humphrey;  April  16,  1844  —  April  14,  1845. 

44th.  John  Keyes  Paige;  April  15,  1845  —  April  13,  1846. 

45th.  William  Parmelee;  April  14,  1846  —  April  19,  1847. 


.mayors'  successive  terms.  8ii 

45th.  William  Parmelee  ;  April  20,  1847  —  -^P^il  i/^   1848. 

46th.  John  Taylor;  April  18,  1848  — April  16.  1849. 

43rd.  Friend  Humphrey;  April  17,  1849  —  April  15,  1850. 

47th.  Franklin  Townsend  ;  April  16,  1850 — April  14.  1851. 

48th.  Eli  Perry;  April  15,  1851— Jan.  12.  1852. 

48th.  Eli  Perry;  Jan.  13,  1852  — Jan.  9,  1854. 

45th.  William  Parmelee;  Jan.  10,  1854  —  April  16,  1855. 

45th.  WiUiam  Parmelee;  April  17,  1855  — March  15,  1856. 

49th.  Charles  Watson  Godard ;  April  28,  1856  — May  5.  1856. 

48th.  EH  Perry;  May  6,  1856— May  3,  1858. 

48th.  EH  Perry;  May  4,  1858  — April  30,  i860. 

50th.  George  HorneH  Thacher;  May  i,  i860— IMay  5,  1862. 

48th.  EH  Perry;  May  6,  1862  — May  2,  1864. 

48th.  Eli  Perry;  May  3.  1864  — April  30,  1866. 

50th.  George  Hornell  Thacher;  May  i,  1866  — May  5,  1868. 

51st.  Charles  Edward  Bleecker;  May  6,  1868  — May  5.  1870. 

50th.  George  Hornell  Thacher;  May  6,  1870  —  May  6,  1872. 

50th.  George  Hornell  Thacher;  May  7,  1872  —  Jan.  17,  1874. 

52nd.  Edmund  Lewis  Judson  ;  April  14,  1874  —  May  i,  1876. 

53rd.  Anthony  Bleecker  Banks;  May  2,  1876  —  May  6.  1878. 

54th.  Michael  Nicholas  Nolan;  May  7,  1878  — May  3,  1880. 

54th.  Michael  Nicholas  Nolan;  May  4.  1880 — May  i,  1882. 

54th.  Michael  Nicholas  Nolan;  May  2,  1882  —  June  24,  1883. 

55th.  John   Swinburne;   May  2,    1882    (seated  June  25,    1883)  — 

May  5,  1884. 

53rd.  Anthony  Bleecker  Banks;  May  6,  1884  —  May  3.  1886. 

56th.  John  Boyd  Thacher;  May  4.  1886— April  30,  1888. 

57th.  Edward  Augustin  Maher  ;"  May  i,  1888  —  May  4.  1890. 

58th.  James  Hilton  Manning;  May  5,  1890  —  May  2,  1892. 

58th.  James  Hilton  Manning;  May  3,  1892  —  April  30.  1894. 

59th.  Oren  Elbridge  Wilson;  May  i,  1894  —  Dec.  31,  1895. 

56th.  John  Boyd  Thacher;  Jan.  i,  1896  —  Dec.  31,  1897. 

60th.  Thomas  Jefferson  Van  Alstyne  ;  Jan.  i,  1898— Dec.  31, 1899. 

6ist.  James  Henry  Blessing;  Jan.  i,  1900  —  Dec.  31,  1901. 

62nd.  Charles  Henry  Gaus ;  Jan.  i,  1902  —  Dec.  31,  1903. 

62nd.  Charles  Henry  Gaus;  Jan.   i,   1904  —  Dec.  31,   1905. 

62nd.  Charles  Henry  Gaus;  Jan.  i,  1906  — 


IRainee  of  flDav^ors  anb  Xlcvms  of  ©fKce, 


ABEEL  —  Johannes   2nd. 

BANCKER  —  Evert 3rd. 

BANKS—  Anthony  Bleecker 53rcl. 

BARCLAY  —  John    27th. 

BEECKMAX  —  Johannes  Jacobse   .   29th. 
BLEECKER  — Charles    Edward    ...   51st. 

BLEECKER  —  Jan  Jansen   7th. 

BLEECKER  —  Johannes.   Jun.    8th. 

BLEECKER— Rutger    15th. 

BLESSING—  James   Htnrv    6ist. 

BLOODGOOD  —  Francis    38th. 

CORNING- Erastus   39th. 

CLTYLER  —  Abraham    Cornelius    .  .  26th. 

CUYLER  —  Cornelius     20th. 

CUYLER  —  Johannes   14th. 

DE  PEYSTER  —  Johannes    i6th. 

DOUW  —  Volckert  Petrus 2Sth. 

DUDLEY  —  Charles    Edward    34th. 

GAUS  —  Charles  Henry   62nd. 

GODARD  —  Charles  Watson  49th. 

HANSEN  —  Hendrick    5th. 

HANSEN  — Johannes    ("Hans")..    17th. 

HOLLAND  —  Edward   i8th. 

HUMPHREY  —  Friend 43rd. 

JENKINS  —  Elisha     3?rd. 

JUDSON  —  Edmund  Lewis   52nd. 

LANSING  —  John,  Jun 30th. 

LIVINGSTON  —  Robert,  Jun 12th. 

MAHER  —  Edward  Augustin    57tli. 

MANNING  —  James    Hilton    sStli. 

NOLAN  —  Michael  Nicholas   54th. 


PAIGE  — John  Keyes 


44th. 


Oct. 

14. 

1694- 

-  Oct. 

14, 

1695 

Nov. 

29,  ] 

707  — 

-  Nov. 

23, 

[710 

Oct. 

15. 

1695- 

-  Sep. 

28, 

1696 

Nov. 

1, 

1707- 

-Oct. 

22, 

[708 

Oct. 

23, 

1708- 

-  Nov. 

28, 

1709 

.May 

2, 

1876- 

-May 

6, 

1878 

May 

6, 

1884- 

-  May 

3, 

1886 

Apr. 

17, 

1778- 

-Apr. 

8, 

1779 

June 

27, 

1783- 

-Oct. 

8, 

1786 

May 

6, 

1868- 

■  Mav 

5. 

1870 

1700  — 

-  Nov. 

5, 

1 701 

Nov. 

6, 

1701- 

1702 

Nov. 

8, 

1726- 

-  Nov. 

10, 

1729 

Jan. 

1900  — 

-Dec. 

31, 

1901 

Jan. 

1 , 

1S33  - 

-Dec. 

31, 

183X 

Jan. 

ij 

1833- 

-Dec. 

31, 

1833 

Jan. 

I , 

t834- 

■Dec. 

31, 

1834 

Jan. 

I 

1835- 

-Dec. 

31, 

1835 

Jan. 

I, 

1836- 

-  Jan. 

I, 

1837 

Jan. 

2, 

837- 

*May 

14, 

1837 

Sep. 

m, 

[770  — 

-Apr. 

16, 

1778 

Oct. 

T4, 

[742- 

Sep. 

28, 

[746 

Oct. 

14, 

1725- 

-  Nov. 

7. 

1726 

Nov. 

II, 

[729- 

-Oct. 

13, 

1731 

Oct. 

23, 

1732- 

-  Oct. 

23, 

1733 

Nov. 

23, 

1741- 

-Oct. 

13, 

1742 

Sep. 

29, 

[761- 

-  Sep. 

9, 

1770 

Feb. 

19, 

[821  - 

-Feb. 

15, 

[822 

Feb. 

16, 

1822- 

-Feb. 

19, 

1823 

Feb. 

20, 

1823  - 

-  Mch. 

9- 

1824 

May 

29. 

1828  — 

Dec. 

31, 

1828 

Jan. 

1, 

1829  — 

*Jan. 

19. 

[829 

Jan. 

I, 

1902- 

-  Dec. 

31. 

1903 

Jan. 

I, 

1904- 

-  Dec. 

31, 

1905 

Jan. 

I, 

1906  — 

Apr. 

28, 

1856- 

May 

5- 

[856 

Oct. 

14. 

1698- 

[699 

Oct. 

14, 

1731- 
1754- 

Oct. 

22 

1732 
t7^6 

Oct. 

24, 

1733  — 

-  Oct. 

30, 

[740 

Apr. 

18, 

1843  - 

-  Apr. 

15, 

1844 

Apr. 

16, 

1844- 

Apr. 

14. 

1845 

Apr. 

^7. 

1849- 

-  Apr. 

15, 

1850 

July 

8, 

1816  — 

*Julv 

2, 

819 

i  Apr. 

14. 

1874- 

-  May 

I, 

1876 

Oct. 

9, 

1786  - 

-Oct. 

18, 

[790 

Nov. 

24, 

1710- 

I7I9 

May 

I, 

1888  - 

-  Mav 

4. 

1890 

May 

5, 

1890- 

-  MaV 

2, 

1892 

Mav 

3. 

1892- 

-  Apr. 

30, 

1894 

Max- 

7, 

1878  — 

May 

3.  ] 

880 

May 

4, 

1880- 

-  May 

I, 

1882 

May 

2_ 

1882- 

- *June 

24. 

1883 

Apr. 

15' 

1S45  - 

-  Apr. 

13. 

1846 

XA.MES    OF    MAYORS    AX'l) 

PARMELEE  —  William    45lli- 

PERRY  —  Eli    48th 

RATHBONE  — Jared  Lewis    41st. 

RYCKMAN  —  Albert  Janse  Qth. 

SANDERS  —  Robert    23rd. 

SCHUYLER  — David   Davidse   ....   nth. 

SCHUYLER  — Johannes     loth. 

SCHUYLER  —  John.  Jun 19th. 

SCHUYLER  —  Myndert    i^f.i. 

SCHUYLER—  Pieter  ist. 

SPENCER  —  Ambrose  35th. 

STAATS  —  Barent  Philip    42nd. 

STEVENSON  —  James  36th. 

SWINBURNE  —  John 46th. 

TAYLOR  —  John  46th. 

TEN  BROECK  — Abraham    28th. 

TEX  BROECK  —  Dirck    21st. 

TEN  BROECK  — Dirck  Wesselse  ..  4th. 
TEN  EYCK  —  Jacob  Coenraedt  ..  22nd. 
THACHER  — George   Hornell    ....   sof.i. 

THACHER  —  John  Boyd   561:1. 

TOWNSEND  —  Franklin    47th. 

TOWNSEND  — John    37th. 

VAN    ALSTYNE  — T.    JefiFerson..  60th. 

VAN   BRUGH       or       VERBRUGGE  — 

Peter   6th. 

VAN  RENSSELAER  — Philip  S..  32nd. 

VAN  SCHAICK— Sybrant  Gozen..i7th. 
VAN  VECHTEN  —  Tennis 40th. 

WILSON  —  Oren  Elbridge 59th. 

YATES  —  Abraham,  Jun 31st. 

t  Seated. 
*  Resigned. 
t  Died. 


fKR.MS 

Ol" 

OFl'Kl-:. 

Hi3 

Apr. 

14. 

1846 

-Apr. 

19, 

1847 

Apr. 

20, 

1847 

-Apr. 

17, 

1848 

Jan. 

10, 

1854 

—  Apr. 

16, 

1855 

Apr. 

17. 

1855- 

-nich. 

15. 

1856 

Apr. 

15, 

1851 

—  Jan. 

12, 

1852 

Jan. 

13, 

i8s2 

—  Jan. 

9, 

1854 

May 

6, 

1856 

-  May 

3- 

i8s8 

May 

4, 

1858 

—  Apr. 

30, 

i860 

Mav 

6, 

1862- 

-  May 

2, 

[864 

May 

3, 

1864- 

—  Apr. 

30, 

1866 

Jan. 

24, 

1839 

-  May 

II, 

1840 

May 

12, 

1840 

—  May 

10, 

1841 

1702 

—  Oct. 

25, 

1703 

Oct. 

15, 

1750 

— 

1754 

Nov. 

II, 

1706 

-Oct. 

31. 

1707 

Oct. 

26, 

1703- 

-  Nov. 

10, 

1706 

Oct. 

31, 

1740- 

-  Nov. 

22. 

1741 

I7I9 

-  Nov. 

"s. 

1720 

1723 

—  Oct. 

13, 

1725 

Julv 

22, 

1686 

-  Oct. 

13, 

1694 

Mch. 

10, 

1824 

—  Dec. 

31, 

1824 

Jan. 

I, 

1825- 

—  Jan. 

I, 

1826 

May 

10, 

1842- 

—  Apr. 

17, 

1843 

Jan. 

2, 

1826 

-Dec. 

31. 

1826 

Jan. 

I. 

1827 

-  *May 

23. 

1828 

tjune 

25, 

1883 

—  May 

5, 

1884 

Apr. 

18, 

1848- 

—  Apr. 

16, 

1849 

Apr. 

9. 

1779 

—  June 

26. 

1783 

Oct. 

15, 

1796- 

-  Dec. 

31. 

1798 

Sep. 

29. 

1746- 

-Oct. 

13, 

1747 

Oct. 

14, 

1747- 

-  Oct. 

13, 

1748 

Sep. 

29, 

1696  - 

-Oct. 

13, 

1698 

Oct. 

14, 

1748 

-Oct. 

14, 

1750 

Mav, 

I, 

1860- 

-  May 

5, 

1862 

Mav 

I, 

1866- 

-  Mav 

5- 

1868 

Ma"v 

6, 

1870- 

-  May 

6. 

1872 

^la'v 

7, 

1872 

—  Jan. 

17, 

1874 

Max- 

1. 

1880  - 

-  Apr. 

30, 

888 

Jan. 

I, 

r896  - 

-Dec. 

31, 

1897 

Apr. 

16, 

i8so- 

-  Apr. 

14, 

1851 

Feb. 

9. 

1829- 

-  Dec. 

31. 

829 

Jan. 

I, 

1830- 

-  Dec. 

31, 

1830 

Jan. 

I, 

1832  - 

-Dec. 

31, 

1832 

Jan. 

I, 

1898- 
1699- 

-Dec. 

31, 

899 
700 

Nov. 

9, 

1720  - 

— 

1723 

Jan. 

I, 

1799- 

-  *Julv 

7, 

1816 

July 

3, 

18  [9- 

-  Feb. 

18, 

1821 

1756- 

—  Sep. 

28, 

761 

May 

15, 

1837  - 

-  Dec. 

31. 

K^7 

Jan. 

I, 

1838  - 

-  Dec. 

31,  1 

838 

Jan. 

I, 

1839- 

-  *Jan. 

21,  ] 

839 

Ma^• 

It. 

1841  - 

—  Mav 

9, 

r842 

Mav 

I. 

1894- 

-  Dec. 

31.  1 

895 

Oct. 

19. 

1790  - 

-Oct. 

'4- 

796 

jflba^oralt^? 


This  Count  Begins  with  the  First 


Elected  the  Mayor. 


OPPONENT. 


J.  L.  Rathbone Whig . 

T.  Van  Vechten Whig . 

B.  P.  Staats Dem. 

F.  Humphrey Whig . 

F.  Humphrey Whig  . 

J.  K.  Paige Dem. 

W.  Parmelee Whig . 

W.  Parmelee Whig . 

J.Taylor Whig. 

F.  Humphrey Whig . 

F.  Townsend Whig . 

Eli  Perry Dem . 

Eli  Perry Dem . 

W.  Parmelee Whig . 

C.  W.  Godard  (a) 

Eli  Perry Dem. 

Eli  Perry Dem . 

G.  H.  Thacher, Dem. 

Eli  Perry :  Dem . 

Eli  Perry j  Dem. 

G.  H.  Thacher   i  Dem. 

C.  E.  Bleecker Dem. 

Geo.  H.  Thacher Dem. 

E.  L.  Judson Rep , 

A.  B.  Banks Dem. 

M.  N.  Nolan Dem. 

J.  Swinburne  (b) 

A.  B.  Banks Dem. 

J.  B.  Thacher Dem. 

E.  A.  Maher Dem. 

J.  H.  Manning Dem. 

J.  H.  Manning Dem. 

O.  E.  Wilson Rep  . 

J.  B.  Thacher Dem. 

T.  J.  Van  Alstyne Dem. 

J.  H.  Blessing Rep  . 

C.  H.  Gaus Rep . 

C.  H.  Gaus Rep . 

C.  H.  Gaus Rep . 


466   I  E.  Corning 

449   i  G.  Y.  Lansing. . .  . 

868   I  J.  Townsend 

210  P.  Gansevoort.  .  .  . 

268  G.  W.  Stanton.  .  . 

148   I  F.  Humphrey.  .  .  . 

105   !  J.  K.  Paige 

088  !  Jas.  Goold 

120   i  Thos.  Hun 

142  Thos.  Hun 

229  E.  Perry 

542  F.  Townsend 

022  T.  McMuUen 

073   I  E.  Perry 

J.  Quackenbush  .  . 
J.  Quackenbush .  . 

J.  Taylor 

G.  W.  Luther 

J.  F.  Rathbone.  .  . 

R.  H.  Pruyn 

J.  W.  Parker 

E.  L.  Judson 

T.  McCarty 

E.  L.  Judson 

N.  H.  Chase 

098   1   J.  Swinburne 

510  !   E.  A.  Durant,  Jr. 

766   I   J.  Swinburne 

552   j   H.  N.  Fuller 

781  !  J.  M.  Warner.  .  .  . 

145      J.  Rooney 

030      W.  J.  Walker 

172  S.  E.  Marvin. .... 

364  ,  T.  J.  Van  Alstyne. 

027  Gen.  A.  J.  Parker. 

175  Col.  W.  G.  Rice.  . 

915  W.  J.  Wansboro.. 


990 
702 
825 
635 
375 
600 

979 
221 
762 

377 
916 


a  To  supply  vacancy  by  death, 
b  Contested  canvass. 


Canvass. 


Elkction  of  Mayors  by  Popular  Vote. 


MAJORITY. 


PER  CENT. 
OF  TOTAL. 


TOTAL 
VOTE. 


ELECTION. 


Dem. 
Dem. 

Whig. 

Dem. 

Dem. 

Whig. 

Dem. 

Dem  . 

Dem. 

Dem. 

Dem. 

Whig. 

Whig. 

Dem. 


Rep. 
Rep. 
Rep. 
Rep. 
Rep. 
Rep. 
Rep. 
Rep. 
Dem. 
Rep. 
Rep. 


Rep. 
Rep. 
Rep. 
Rep. 
Rep. 
Dem. 
Rep. 
Rep. 
Dem. 
Dem. 
Dem. 
Dem. 


May  5 
April  13 
April  12 
April  1 1 
April  9 
April  7 
April  14 
April  13 
April  II 
April  10 
April  9 
April  8 
Nov.  4 
Nov.  8 
Mar.  19 
April  8 
April  13 
April  10 
April  8 
April  12 
April  10 
April  14 
April  12 
April  14 
April  1 1 
April  9 
April  1 1 
April  9 
April  13 
April  10 
April  8 
April  12 
April  10 
Nov.  5 
Nov.  2 
Nov.  7 
Nov.  5 
Nov.  3 
Nov.     7 


1840 
1841 
1842 

184.^ 
1844 

1845 
1846 

1847 
1848 
1849 
1850 
1851 
1851 

1853 
1856 
1856 
1858 
i860 
1862 
1864 
1866 
1868 
1870 
1874 
1876 
1878 
1882 
1884 


1890 
1892 
1894 

1895 
1897 
1899 
1901 
1903 
1905 


flDa^oralt^  IDote  percentaoe. 


It  must  be  noted  that  on  the  occasions  when  there  were  threi 
prominent  candidates  voted  for,  the  percentage  of  the  nominee  electee 
was  considerably  reduced.  This  list  starts  with  the  first  election  o 
a  Mayor  by  a  vote  of  the  people,  May  5,  1840.  No  candidate  up  tc 
1906  has  received  three-fourths  of  a  total  votes  cast,  but  three  have 
received  two-thirds  of  all  votes  cast  at  an  election.  In  further  dis 
section  of  this  table,  the  Whig  ( W)  nominee  may  be  included  in  th(. 
Republican  list. 

William  Parmelee   (W) 

James  H.  Manning  (D) 

Charles  H.  Gaus  (R) 

Eli  Perry   (D) 

James  H.  Manning  (D) 

Charles  E.   Bleecker  CD) 

Eli  Perry   (D) 

Oren  E.  Wilson  (R) 

Charles  H.  Gaus  (R) 

Edward  A.  Maher  (D) 

Eli  Perry   (D) 

William  Parmelee   (W) 

Edmund  L.  Judson  ( R) 

A.   Bleecker  Banks  (D) 

Geo.  H.  Thacher  (  D) 

James   H.   Blessing  (R) 

Jared  L.  Rathbone  (W) 

John  Boyd  Thacher  (D) 

Friend  Humphrey  (W) 

Geo.  H.  Thacher  (D) 

Charles  H.  Gaus  (R) 

Barent  P.  Staats  (D) 

Geo.  H.  Thacher  (D) 

Eli  Perry   (D) 

Friend  Humphrey  (W) 

Friend  Humphrev  (W) 

John  Taylor  ( W) 

Tennis  Van  Vechten  (W) 

A.  Bleecker  Banks  (D) 


.684 

1872 

.682 

1890 

.668 

1905 

.639 

1862 

.629 

1892 

.627 

1868 

.605 

1864 

■S77 

1894 

■S77 

1903 

.566 

1888 

.566 

1851 

•549 

1846 

•544 

1874 

•542 

1876 

■542 

1870 

•541 

1899 

•540 

1840 

•537 

1886 

■S2,7 

T844 

•534 

1866 

•532 

1901 

•531 

1842 

.526 

i860 

.526 

185 1 

•517 

1849 

514 

1843 

.510 

1848 

.509 

184T 

•505 

1884 

MANORALTV    \OTK    PKRCICXTACI-:. 


817 


Eli  Perry  (D) 
Franklin  Townscnd  (  W  ) 
John   Boyd  Thacher  (D) 
John  Keyes  Paige  ( D) 
Eli  Perry  (D) 
Michael' N.    Nolan  (D) 
William  Parmeleee  (W) 
Tho^.   y.  A^an  Alstvne(D) 


•504 

T858 

.500 

iSso 

•497 

1895 

.489 

1845 

.476 

1856 

•473 

1878 

.441 

'853 

•355 

1897 

lEIection  Bates. 


Election. 

Sworn  in. 

Election. 

Sworn 

in. 

^lay 

5. 

1840.  . 

.  .Mav 

12. 

1840 

Ai)ril 

14, 

1868.. 

.  .  Mav 

6, 

1868 

April 

13, 

1841. . 

.  .Mav 

II, 

1 841 

April 

12. 

1870. . 

.  .  May 

6, 

1870 

April 

12, 

1842.. 

.  .  May 

10, 

1842 

April 

9, 

1872.. 

..May 

7. 

1872 

April 

IT, 

1843  •• 

.  .  April 

18, 

1843 

April 

14, 

1874.. 

.  .  April 

14, 

1874 

April 

9. 

1844 •• 

.  .  April 

16, 

1844 

April 

II. 

1876.. 

. . ^lay 

2, 

1876 

April 

7- 

1845.. 

.  .  April 

15. 

1845 

April 

9. 

1878.. 

.  .  May 

7< 

1878 

A]M-il 

14. 

1846.. 

.  .  April 

14. 

1846 

April 

13- 

1880. . 

. .^lav 

4. 

1880 

April 

13. 

1847.. 

.  .April 

20, 

1847 

April 

1 1, 

1882.. 

..Mav 

2 

1882 

April 

II, 

1848. . 

.  .  April 

18, 

1848 

April 

9. 

1884.. 

..Mav 

Cx 

1884 

A]M-il 

10, 

1849.. 

.  .  April 

17, 

1849 

April 

13. 

1886.. 

.  .  Mav 

4. 

i88r. 

April 

9. 

i8so.. 

.  .April 

16, 

1850 

April 

TO, 

1888. . 

.  .  Mav 

I. 

1888 

April 

8, 

1851.. 

..April 

15. 

i8si 

April 

8, 

1890. . 

..^lav 

5. 

1890 

-Nov. 

4, 

1851.. 

. .Jan. 

13- 

1852 

April 

12, 

1892. . 

.  .  Ma'v 

3- 

1892 

Nov. 

8, 

1853- • 

.  .  Jan. 

10, 

1854 

April 

10, 

1894.. 

.  .  May 

I, 

1894 

April 

8, 

1856.. 

.  .Mav 

6, 

1856 

Nov. 

5. 

1895.. 

. .Jan. 

I, 

1896 

A])ril 

14. 

1857.. 

.  .  May 

6, 

1857 

Nov. 

2_ 

1897.. 

.  .Jan. 

I, 

1898 

April 

13. 

1858. . 

..May 

4, 

1858 

Nov. 

7' 

1899. . 

. .Jan. 

I, 

1 900 

April 

10, 

i860.. 

..May 

I, 

i860 

Nov. 

5> 

1901 . . 

. .Jan. 

I, 

1902 

April 

8, 

1862. . 

..Mav 

6, 

1862 

Nov. 

3. 

1903.. 

. . Jan. 

I 

1904 

April 

12, 

1864.. 

..:Mav 

3. 

1864 

Nov. 

7. 

1905. . 

. .Jan. 

T 

1906 

April 

10, 

1866.. 

..May 

I, 

1866 

Previous  to  the  earliest  date  given  in  this  table  the  Mayor  was 
elected  by  the  Board  of  Aldermen  for  some  years  previous,  and 
before  that  was  commissioned  bv  the  Colonial  Governor. 


1 


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